Beasons tweet about the CBA

[TheRealDeal]

That 990K number is severely skewed upward. Most people don't make that in a year unless they've been in the league a while. Clausen, a second round top ten talent only pulled in 500k this year (more with per play bonuses and appearance bonuses) so I think the Manning's and Brady's etc are skewing that number.

I believe you need 4 years and 4 games or 3 years and 4 games to be eligible for retirement from the NFL and the average career is only 3 so many players don't get the retirement and benefits that everyone thinks they get.

There is a lot of back and forth and a lot that regular people can't understand because we aren't in those positions. It's easy to say we'd make that money last but when you have been raised by a single mother in the hood your whole life and someone gives you millions you'd be cold blooded to not do everything you can to buy your mother a nice house in the burbs or even splurge a little and get her in a gated community only to realize you've been cut in year 3 and still have to pay property taxes, medical bills, etc.

[blackcatgrowl]

...yeah a UVA Law Grad who went on to be a partner at a huge firm can't grasp the fundamentals of negotiating contracts.

The big deal right now is smith's projection in the public and it is down right terrible.

I'm not on his side, but people are trying to act like they can completely read the guy because of a sentence (or lack thereof) on that retarded twitter site or an article written by some guy on a sports site quoting him on occasion.

Yeah, he's been saying some odd and seemingly dumb things in these quotes, but that's all about the press and Smith getting his name out there. He's an attorney being an attorney.

I'm confident that something can be worked out and am not trying to get all worked up over it.

Any guess as to his motivations, his strategies in this situation, and who is really is as a person, is just that, a guess.

But actions speak louder than words. Or in this case, inactions, and there are some undeniable facts here that show he's either an idiot, indolent, or downright destructive for the NFL as a league:

1. There has not been a formal sit down negotiation to take place between the union or owners.

2. Smith has repeatedly gone to the media directly about the NFLPA's stand on owner proposals.

3. Smith has a history in legal action, as he is a worked as a prosecutor for years, then as a trial attorney and litigation partner in a D.C. law office.

4. A suit has been filed against the owners accusing them of collusion.

5. Smith has close ties with the White House and the Attorney General's office.

The facts, collectively point to an aggressive legal activism mentality. The results of which COULD do irreparable harm to the NFL as a league.

[MadHatter]

My issue with the whole arguement is that the players keep talking about the fact that they don't have insurance after they leave the league. Well, why can't that 30 yo out of work ex-NFL player go get ANOTHER job (like the rest of us have to) and have medical coverage.

Don't give me this pre-existing condition crap....Obama already took care of that.

These players want us to feel sorry for them becuase they are not set for life after working for 4-5 years. Life is just so unfair for them.

[Snake]

...yeah a UVA Law Grad who went on to be a partner at a huge firm can't grasp the fundamentals of negotiating contracts.

The big deal right now is smith's projection in the public and it is down right terrible.

I'm not on his side, but people are trying to act like they can completely read the guy because of a sentence (or lack thereof) on that retarded twitter site or an article written by some guy on a sports site quoting him on occasion.

Yeah, he's been saying some odd and seemingly dumb things in these quotes, but that's all about the press and Smith getting his name out there. He's an attorney being an attorney.

I'm confident that something can be worked out and am not trying to get all worked up over it.

I think your giving this guy too much credit. Most lawyer know what image the show to the public and his image is I do not want to negotiate. All the while most players are saying let's sit down and get a deal done.

[TheRealDeal]

These players want us to feel sorry for them becuase they are not set for life after working for 4-5 years. Life is just so unfair for them.

Their job is more dangerous than yours and is more public. You'd want to be compensated accordingly as well if you had a bad day at work and 100,000 people booed you. You'd also want to get paid accordingly if your life was turned upside down from the minute you left college until the minute your career was over, and then some.

[blackcatgrowl]

That 990K number is severely skewed upward. Most people don't make that in a year unless they've been in the league a while. Clausen, a second round top ten talent only pulled in 500k this year (more with per play bonuses and appearance bonuses) so I think the Manning's and Brady's etc are skewing that number.

I believe you need 4 years and 4 games or 3 years and 4 games to be eligible for retirement from the NFL and the average career is only 3 so many players don't get the retirement and benefits that everyone thinks they get.

There is a lot of back and forth and a lot that regular people can't understand because we aren't in those positions. It's easy to say we'd make that money last but when you have been raised by a single mother in the hood your whole life and someone gives you millions you'd be cold blooded to not do everything you can to buy your mother a nice house in the burbs or even splurge a little and get her in a gated community only to realize you've been cut in year 3 and still have to pay property taxes, medical bills, etc.

That figure is an average. There are highs, and there are lows. The lowest an active (meaning they see game time) player can make is over $300G a year.

Also, most NFL players are draftees out of college. If it doesn't work out for them as a player, they have their degree to fall back on.

I think that's the misconception here is that just because you "make it" to the NFL, you should be set for life, work-free. Yeah, sure, some of the BEST are extremely rich men. But that's the result of a pay-for-performance design, which promotes a high level of competition and elevates the game. The scrubs on the bench and sidelines are the ones who will probably need a job after they hang their cleats. Big fuging deal.

[Montsta]

Demaurice Smith is like the ex-wife's divorce lawyer. Why settle things amicably and respectfully when I can push this thing to the limit and make you hate each other and then I get more money or an elevated professional status? Douchebaggery I tell you.

[CatMan72]

Demaurice Smith is like the ex-wife's divorce lawyer. Why settle things amicably and respectfully when I can push this thing to the limit and make you hate each other and then I get more money or an elevated professional status? Douchebaggery I tell you.

Question: What do you call 1,000 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean?

Answer: A good start.

[Pox 08]

The average fan knows exactly what it's like to have these same expenses, minus the agent. Are we supposed to feel sorry for them because they choose to purchase expensive houses and cars?

Yes. Some of them can only afford a 10 bedroom 6 bathroom house, instead of the 11 bedroom, 7 bathroom house they had their eye on.

[csx]

Yes. Some of them can only afford a 10 bedroom 6 bathroom house, instead of the 11 bedroom, 7 bathroom house they had their eye on.

they have to be able to feed their children too

[MadHatter]

Their job is more dangerous than yours and is more public. You'd want to be compensated accordingly as well if you had a bad day at work and 100,000 people booed you. You'd also want to get paid accordingly if your life was turned upside down from the minute you left college until the minute your career was over, and then some.

Still not a reason why somone who works for 4-5 fuging years has an entitlement to be "set for life".

Work for 40 years like the rest of us.

[TheRealDeal]

Still not a reason why somone who works for 4-5 fuging years has an entitlement to be "set for life".

Work for 40 years like the rest of us.

When people come to your work (and not to order fries and a coke) to see you do your job, you aren't "like the rest of us."

You don't want them to be set? Stop watching football

[MadHatter]

When people come to your work (and not to order fries and a coke) to see you do your job, you aren't "like the rest of us."

You don't want them to be set? Stop watching football

Dumbest fuging thing I have heard anyone say.

Anyone dumb enough to come by my corner office and ask for a Coke deserves to get slapped.

Now get back to raking my lawn, boy.

[riddel]

Dumbest fuging thing I have heard anyone say.

Anyone dumb enough to come by my corner office and ask for a Coke deserves to get slapped.

The drive thru window is not really considered a corner office. What's wrong with Coke, you guys only serve Pepsi products?