Lets catch up on where we are today.
The Players were handed a document that was approved by the other side, and changed at the end. They will need time to look over the deal before agreeing to a ten year contract. It’s doubtful they got anything put in the deal that was major enough to be a deal breaker. Hurt feelings? Thats another issue.
Chris Mortensen reports the players are expected to vote on the CBA sometime today on Friday. This morning he spoke on Mike and Mike in the morning on ESPN2. He says the finishing details were not available when the players had their conference call yesterday. Mostly its the re-constitution of the untion that is a hangup. Players want to use union cards, a more traditional method. Owners want electronic means, Players feel they have the right to do it the way they want to. So it’s all about the finishing details.
What to look for? Check out the body language and verbage of players today as they start to come out and address the issue.
IF the Players to agree and sign today, expect the lockout to end, and players can report Saturday morning to their team’s facilities. Saturday would be voluntary training/conditioning, and classroom instruction. Saturday would be day one of the Pre-2011 year. Clubs can negotiate with their Free Agents at 2 PM Saturday, but cant sign them yet.
Sunday at 2PM they can sign their free agents.
On Wednesday, Training camp will open for every NFL team, regardless of when they were planning to open. Even the bears and Rams who no longer will be playing the Hall of Fame game. First day is limited to physicals, meetings and Conditioning. NO PADS are allowed for the first 3 days of camp, for safety reasons.
HOW DID MAJOR ISSUES GET ADDRESSED?
Retired players scored big. No word yet on their reaction, but over the next 10 years, additional funding for retiree benefits of between $900 million and $1 billion will take place. The largest single amount, $620 million, will be used for a new “Legacy Fund,” which will be devoted to increasing pensions for pre-1993 retirees.
Other improvements will be made to post-career medical options, the disability plan, the 88 Plan, career transition and degree completion programs, and the Player Care Plan.
ROOKIE WAGE SCALE- There should be far fewer hold outs by rookies, especially the top picks anymore, because what they can make is pretty much all predetermined now. This WILL take effect with THIS 2011 Draft class.
All drafted players sign four-year contracts.
Undrafted free agents sign three-year contracts.
Maximum total compensation per draft class.
Limited contract terms.
Strong anti-holdout rules.
Clubs have option to extend the contract of a first-round draftee for a fifth year, based on agreed-upon tender amounts.
Creation of new fund to redistribute, beginning in 2012, savings from new rookie pay system to current and retired player benefits and a veteran player performance pool.
WHATS THE SALARY CAP 142.4 Million Dollars per club in 2011 and probably 2012 and 2013 but it could be a little higher.
Starting in 2012 the Salary Cap is to be set based on a combined share of ALL revenue.
LEAGUE WIDE COMMITMENT TO SPEND 99% of the CAP in 2011 and 2012. That means Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to spend almost 60 Million dollars.
Health and Safety– OTAs come down from 14 a year to 10 max. On field practice time and contact will be limited. Players will get more time off during the summer. Current players can stay in the medical plan for life.
18 game season? Not until at least 2013, and if the owners want an 18 game season, it MUST be approved by the NFLPA.
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