Lockout Lifted

[masterfins]

So... A judge has lifted the owners lockout (with the owners promising to appeal) thereby potentially allowing player trades before/during the draft.  Let the conspiracy theories begin...

[tubba marxxx]

if all this gets sorted out before the draft (which seems like a long shot, but who knows), imagine the chaos that that will happen..

[Brian Fein]

I don't think the lockout is actually lifted yet - just that the players received a ruling in their favor "forcing the owners to lift the lockout.  As I understand, they are appealing and don't have to do jack until their appeal is heard.

[Landshark]

I don't think the lockout is actually lifted yet - just that the players received a ruling in their favor "forcing the owners to lift the lockout.  As I understand, they are appealing and don't have to do jack until their appeal is heard.

From the reports I've gotten, the owners have appealed and the appeal hearing will be expidited.  That's because the judge refused to issue a stay when she lifted the lockout.  As of right now, players are allowed to work out at team facilities and communicate with their coaches.  This means the Dolphins can talk to Brandon Marshall about the stabbing incident and get his side of the story.  However, because there is no CBA in place, teams cannot trade players or sign free agents. 

I'd love to see the owners and players invoke the 2010 CBA rules for one year while they negotiate a new CBA.

[fyo]

I'd love to see the owners and players invoke the 2010 CBA rules for one year while they negotiate a new CBA.

"Time" doesn't seem to be the missing magic ingredient, though. The two sides have had PLENTY of time. Clearly, neither side is willing to budge without getting some judicial input from the courts. Both sides believe they have the upper hand... the question is, which one is right? Until one side stops believing they have the upper hand, nothing will get done.

Wrt to the lockout being lifted... the league has gone on record saying it considers the lockout in effect (even without the stay) pending the expedited hearing on the matter.

[Brian Fein]

I'd love to see the owners and players invoke the 2010 CBA rules for one year while they negotiate a new CBA.

They did this last year, extended the existing CBA, and STILL didn't get anything done.  I don't think extending it further is going to make anyone happy.

Unless they do it seriously - extend if long term.  Leave well-enough alone.

[Spider-Dan]

Extending the CBA long-term is the same thing as a total and complete win for the players.  The players are happy with the way things are.

[fyo]

Extending the CBA long-term is the same thing as a total and complete win for the players.  The players are happy with the way things are.

That was my initial reaction as well, but then I remembered that there's no cap, restrictions on top-team player acquisition and extended requirements for players to become free agents.

The players want things to be as they WERE, not as they ARE. Young players are seriously screwed with the "2010 rules"... 6 YEARS of service before you're a free agent. What fraction of careers in the NFL even LAST that long? Sure, a few big-spending owners might throw tons of money at a few choice players, but there are also going to be owners that are going to spend WAY less. With the last CBA, there was both a cap and a floor (which was about 90% of the cap).

I'm not saying the league comes out way ahead with the "2010 rules", but it certainly isn't a clear-cut win for the players.

[fyo]

And now the judge has denied the owner's motion to stay the decision while the appeal is being heard.

The league has been ordered to start the league year immediately.

http://www.nfllockout.com/2011/04/28/lockout-lifted-football-operations-can-resume/
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=13473068
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81f88dfe/article/nfl-says-teams-can-resume-operations-friday-morning?module=HP_headlines

[bsmooth]

And now the judge has denied the owner's motion to stay the decision while the appeal is being heard.

The league has been ordered to start the league year immediately.

http://www.nfllockout.com/2011/04/28/lockout-lifted-football-operations-can-resume/
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=13473068
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81f88dfe/article/nfl-says-teams-can-resume-operations-friday-morning?module=HP_headlines

She wants her moment in the sun before the 8th court overturns. The players went to a labor friendly court and got their decisions, now the league is going to a higher business friendly court. This whole thing still has a long way to go.

[fyo]

Temporary stay granted by the 8th Circuit. Teams almost certainly won't open their doors next week.

REALLY hope our guys were quick and got their playbooks...

[bsfins]

^^ I tottally agree about the playbooks.....

This reminds me a of street game of baseball...Lock out on...Lock out over...Lock out on again...

[masterfins]

I'm surprised they aren't arguing over the size and shape of the bargaining table.  What a waste of time.

[bsmooth]

Well the players took a big hit today. Who breaks first now in this stare down??

[Pappy13]

Maybe now we'll see some real work at the bargaining table.