Salary cap 108 million?

[KansasBronco]

Next season's NFL salary cap likely will be about $108 million per team if the owners and the players' union can agree to an extension of their collective bargaining agreement. It probably will be set at $95 million to $96 million per club if there's no labor extension. Last season's salary cap was $85.5 million per team.
-- Washington Post

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/scorecard/02/28/truth.rumors.nfl/index.html

Just think what we could do if this happens. Our owner will always spend to the max, and we could go get some guys.

[TheManeMan]

WOW...

Bring on TO and Abraham...along with re-negging Lepsis, Warren and Trevor

:militia:

[Clockwork Orange]

Just heard on 950 The Fan that negotiations have broken down and that no new talks are scheduled as of right now.

Bad news.

[ND Bronco Fan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2348417

[broncosteven]

Cut them all & bring on Scabs.

[ludo21]

ahhhhhhhhh

Man this is annoying, i hope they can get something done.

[ND Bronco Fan]

Upshaw is really chappin my ass-----some of the comments he has made....

[DarkHorse30]

Upshaw is really chappin my ass-----some of the comments he has made....

Agreed. Upshaw is a poor excuse for a union rep.

[Paladin]

Is it just me, or does it seem like Upshaw wants to shut the league down in two years? What does he gain from that? Does he want to eliminate the cap? I guess I don't quite get the gist of what he wants.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Just heard on 950 The Fan that negotiations have broken down and that no new talks are scheduled as of right now.

Bad news.

Later Trev, Matt, and Gerard

[Old Dude]

It's all about money, and it should be no surprise that the NFLPA is playing hardball now that the owners have taken so long to get their act together.

If there is no new deal, things are going to be an absolute mess. On the bright side, Bowlen has always been a pretty aggressive owner, so maybe there's a creative way to take advantage of all this.

Don't ask me what it is though... :)

[PLOWHORSE]

Later Trev, Matt, and Gerard


Yep..and this makes the 06 draft one of the most important drafts in ages. Don't F it up F.O!!!!

[broncosteven]

Is it just me, or does it seem like Upshaw wants to shut the league down in two years? What does he gain from that? Does he want to eliminate the cap? I guess I don't quite get the gist of what he wants.


He is mad that he didn't get the call to coach the Faid.

[ND Bronco Fan]

I am of the opinion this is a last second ploy on Upshaws part because of the scheduled conference call at 6 pm that the owners had set up regarding the possibility of it getting done. I just get a feeling that how can you be so close yesterday yet now today be so far away.

Who is going to call whose bluff? What better way to get a couple more concessions out of the owners if you are the players rep than by pulling this media stunt? Also it makes him look good for negotiating and giving in when it comes time for Tags to retire.............Hating this jackass.

Just my two cents (opinion).

[Atlas]

Is it just me, or does it seem like Upshaw wants to shut the league down in two years? What does he gain from that? Does he want to eliminate the cap? I guess I don't quite get the gist of what he wants.

HE wants player revenues to get 60% of the total profit. The NFL said it would never give 60%

I think the NFL is offering 58%

[WABronco]

OWNERS TRYING TO HAMMER OUT REVENUE SHARING



As NFL owners confer by massive conference call in an effort to put to rest the extended CBA with the union, we've heard that the negotiations between labor and managements are fully and finally completed -- and that the only thing is a plan by the owners regarding the potential expansion of revenue sharing.



But that issue is hardly an easy one to resolve.



The problem is that the salary cap funding mechanism in the new agreement encompasses all football revenue, including money that is not currently shared equally among the 32 teams. As a result, teams who earn less money will be faced with a total spending limit that is pushed higher by the revenues generated by the teams making more of the dough that isn't chopped up into 32 equal servings.



To help things along, NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw is spewing some more rhetoric regarding the lack of a deal.



"We met today and there's no deal and we're deadlocked," Upshaw told ESPN's Chris Mortensen. "We were supposed to stick around and meet tomorrow, but that's not gonna happen. That's it. I'm headed back to Washington."



Based on things we've previously heard, we agree with the assessment of others in the media that Upshaw and Commission Paul Tagliabue are and have been working together to pressure the owners into striking an accord regarding revenue sharing.



But we're now beginning to hear genuine concern that the owners might not be able to reach an agreement on revenue sharing, which would crater the entire deal, usher in the final capped year, and set the stage for an uncapped season in 2007.

[BroncoInferno]

Later Trev, Matt, and Gerard

If we lose Lepsis you can forget about a SB next season. There aren't many options in FA, and probably none who we could afford, and no 1st round tackle will be ready to play right away. Our only real option would be to switch Foster to LT and put Green in at RT. Not ideal. Hell, we need Warren, too, but Lepsis is absolutely imperative.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

If we lose Lepsis you can forget about a SB next season. There aren't many options in FA, and probably none who we could afford, and no 1st round tackle will be ready to play right away. Our only real option would be to switch Foster to LT and put Green in at RT. Not ideal. Hell, we need Warren, too, but Lepsis is absolutely imperative.

Both are imperative because the DT talent available isn't great either, but with no CBA, I either one will be back.

[Clockwork Orange]

Later Trev, Matt, and Gerard

No kidding.

We're not alone in that boat. There's gonna be a few teams with some tough decisions to make if this thing doesn't get done. Washington & KC specifically.

[ICON]

HE wants player revenues to get 60% of the total profit. The NFL said it would never give 60%

I think the NFL is offering 58% Per John Clayton:



The word around the combine on the CBA talks is that the NFLPA is asking for 61 percent of total revenues and that the NFL is willing to give 57 percent. Each percentage point is worth around $1 billion over the six-year extension being talked about. It's likely that the sides could settle at 59 or 59.5. NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw insists he won't extend the start of free agency past March 3, but commissioner Paul Tagliabue is trying to get a deal done by Wednesday at 4 p.m., and hoping to push free agency back to March 10.


NFLPA is asking for 61 percent of total revenues and that the NFL is willing to give 57 percent. Each percentage point is worth around $1 billion over the six-year extension being talked about. It's likely that the sides could settle at 59 or 59.5.




Imagine that.... http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/13978660.htm
(http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/13978660.htm)
go uck yourself upshaw!!! right up your upshaw............

[Hercules Rockefeller]

No kidding.

We're not alone in that boat. There's gonna be a few teams with some tough decisions to make if this thing doesn't get done. Washington & KC specifically.

Yeah. At least with the Broncos, they lose those 3 and they save over $21M on the cap for this year. Skins are absolutely screwed though.

[eddie mac]

Public Enemy No1 Gene Upshaw!!!

This is a fvcking disgrace. The players in this league earn far too much as it is considering over 60% only play 16 meaningful games per year.

[broncosteven]

If we lose Lepsis...and no 1st round tackle will be ready to play right away. Our only real option would be to switch Foster to LT and put Green in at RT. Not ideal. Hell, we need Warren, too,.


I have been saying this all Freaking week!

[B-Love]

There won't be a ticket in any football stadium less than $100 soon, not even in the nose bleeders.

[eddie mac]

Yeah. At least with the Broncos, they lose those 3 and they save over $21M on the cap for this year. Skins are absolutely screwed though.

Cap wont be an issue, retooling the roster will be though!

[Mr. Trout]

I'm getting the feeling Lepsis and Warren want to test the free agency market. And no it would not be doom if we lose both of them.

[WABronco]

I'm getting the feeling Lepsis and Warren want to test the free agency market. And no it would not be doom if we lose both of them.

We'd have to change our draft plans a little though. Maybe more Eric Winston and less Kiwi...

[Drek]

We'd have to change our draft plans a little though. Maybe more Eric Winston and less Kiwi...
This organization doesn't start rookie OLs.

If we loose Lepsis our best move is to go after Kevin Schaffer from ATL. I've been saying it for months, he's been starting at LT in a zone blocking system coached by Gibbs for the last three years. He's ideal to come in and replace Lepsis. Much like Lepsis he's undersized so there probably won't be much action on him in a cap strapped free agent market.

A lot of players could wind up being left out in the cold by Upshaw's most recent stunt however, or at least paid considerably less than they expected a few weeks ago. What team is going to be writting fat checks without a CBA in place? Way to rape the guys you represent Gene.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Way to rape the guys you represent Gene.

Gene wants no cap

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Cap wont be an issue, retooling the roster will be though!

Retooling isn't the word I'd use. There's 3 big holes on the roster, but that's the only blood-letting **it appears** Denver will have to do at this point. All isn't completely lost. If the 2 deals void and Denver cuts Pryce, it should put them around $86M which would be anywhere from $6-9M under the cap with Jake, Champ, Rod, and Al who can still do something with their deals. It appears the market will be flooded with players too.

[Mr. Trout]

On another note, how much money is Jon Runyan going to want. Can he play left tackle and is he still playing at a high level?

[Mr. Trout]

We'd have to change our draft plans a little though. Maybe more Eric Winston and less Kiwi...


Yeah, if Denver loses Lepsis they will find somebody capable to fill the job. Losing one player does not mean you aren't going to the superbowl. I'm not sold on Warren. Denver should let him walk and try grooming their own talent at the position for a change.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

No trading of picks this year

[Kaylore]

I'm getting the feeling Lepsis and Warren want to test the free agency market. And no it would not be doom if we lose both of them.
Letting Lepsis go would absolutely kill us.

[Rascal]

Why will we lose Lepsis, Warren, and others if the cap is 108 million? There is more money then the expected 98 million with the CBA. What am I missing?

If we cut Pryce shouldn't that put in us in a position to resign Lepsis and Warren?

[SportinOne]

Am i missing something here???

Let's say that no agreement is made, and it is known that there will be NO CAP NEXT SEASON. In theory, wouldn't that make it very easy to sign lepsis and warren this year? Couldn't we just back load there contracts with a huge amount being paid next season, while we pay a small amount this season?? Couldn't we also convince guys like Champ to transfer a big portion of this years cap number to next years when there will be NO CAP?

so let's say Champ makes 10 Mil this year. (I'm sorry, i should know what he makes) We can't transfer maybe 4 to 6 million of that to next years and then leave the rest of his contract untouched in case the cap comes back?

Yeah, he will be getting around 15 Mil next year, but it's actually for the good of the team! :D

This makes sense to me, someone please tell me why this isn't legal or why it wouldn't work because it just seems too easy...

To me, we are good either way... the only thing that would mess us up is if they agreed on a cap of 95 mil in the new CBA, not raising it at all. And from what i understand, if there is going to be a new CBA, we'll be around 108 Mil.

Educate me, someone...

[Hercules Rockefeller]

No, their base salaries (along with option and roster bonuses) cannot be 30% larger than what it is this season in order to prevent teams from putting everything into the uncapped seasons. That also hurts teams when it comes to restructuring deals. Good thing Nalen rules and is a team player, because his bases are like $1M this year, $1.3M next and $1.6M in '08.

[WABronco]

I just saw Upshaw on ESPN. He seemed like he was full of ****...

Oh well...

[Play2win]

Its all a bunch of Male Bovine Feces...

[Rascal]

Why will we lose Lepsis, Warren, and others if the cap is 108 million? There is more money then the expected 98 million with the CBA. What am I missing?

If we cut Pryce shouldn't that put in us in a position to resign Lepsis and Warren?

Help...

[SportinOne]

No, their base salaries (along with option and roster bonuses) cannot be 30% larger than what it is this season in order to prevent teams from putting everything into the uncapped seasons. That also hurts teams when it comes to restructuring deals. Good thing Nalen rules and is a team player, because his bases are like $1M this year, $1.3M next and $1.6M in '08.


so we just get everyone to push whatever they can to next year and POOF we have a team

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Help...

The cap will only be at $95M if there is no deal, $100+M if there is.

[Rascal]

Wait a second...

So if there is no deal the cap will be at 95 million.

If there is a deal then the cap will be at 100+?

For this year right? I thought I've read multiple sources were it said the anticipated cap was going to be 95 million for this year?

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Yes to all your questions.

[Rascal]

Wow I was really confused. Thanks.

[eddie mac]

No, their base salaries (along with option and roster bonuses) cannot be 30% larger than what it is this season in order to prevent teams from putting everything into the uncapped seasons. That also hurts teams when it comes to restructuring deals. Good thing Nalen rules and is a team player, because his bases are like $1M this year, $1.3M next and $1.6M in '08.

Think Engelberger signed a similar deal.

[Doufer]

id rather keep warren than Lepsis

[dakranker]

My understanding is that you can’t prorate signing bonuses for more than two years in uncapped seasons. Therefore, if you sign a player this year to a seven-year contract with a $15mil bonus your cap hit on the bonus alone is $5mil per season instead of $2mil. This is going to make it hard for any team to sign big money contracts during this free agency period.

This is just me speculating but in this type of environment, many of the players will sign one-year contracts with their current teams in hopes of a huge payday when everything is uncapped.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Can't prorate for more than 4 years

[dakranker]

Can't prorate for more than 4 years

4 years uncapped
or
4 years this off-season

[Hercules Rockefeller]

3 years into the uncapped years, 4 years counting this upcoming season

[dakranker]

I’d say my point is still valid. Big time players will not be able to get market value. Why not wait it out and cash in with an uncapped contract?

[SportinOne]

PLEASE let there be no cap..

You think the Patriots had a dynasty? PFFFFTTTT



just kidding of course.. "no cap" is intriguing, but i wouldn't want to see it.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

I’d say my point is still valid. Big time players will not be able to get market value. Why not wait it out and cash in with an uncapped contract?

Do you risk it that you might get hurt and not get much in '07?

[Taco John]

HE wants player revenues to get 60% of the total profit. The NFL said it would never give 60%

I think the NFL is offering 58%



There's no way the NFL should have to give up 60%.

58% is a hell of a good concession. Upshaw is being unreasonable.

[dakranker]

Do you risk it that you might get hurt and not get much in '07?

My point is nobody is going to get much in '06. I get what you are saying though maybe players can buy some insurance policies like the ones they give to college juniors.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

My point is nobody is going to get much in '06.

There's plenty of teams well under the cap. They might not get as much as they would if there was a new CBA, but there will still be plenty of guys cashing in.

[dakranker]

There's no way the NFL should have to give up 60%.

58% is a hell of a good concession. Upshaw is being unreasonable.

Maybe my perspective has been warped by all the “C.E.O. bonuses” in the news recently but giving the workforce 60% doesn’t seem unreasonable.

[Garcia Bronco]

Maybe my perspective has been warped by all the “C.E.O. bonuses” in the news recently but giving the workforce 60% doesn’t seem unreasonable.

The players are just part of the workforce.

[dakranker]

They might not get as much as they would if there was a new CBA

So you would sign a long-term contract under the current market value just one year before you know salaries will skyrocket?

[dakranker]

The players are just part of the workforce.

Very true.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Maybe my perspective has been warped by all the “C.E.O. bonuses” in the news recently but giving the workforce 60% doesn’t seem unreasonable.

No professional athlete is part of a traditional workforce. 1600 guys getting around $3+ billion in salary before benefits do not fall into a traditional labor/management discussion.

[dakranker]

No professional athlete is part of a traditional workforce. 1600 guys getting around $3+ billion in salary before benefits do not fall into a traditional labor/management discussion.

How so?

[Hercules Rockefeller]

So you would sign a long-term contract under the current market value just one year before you know salaries will skyrocket?

Depends on how good you are, most players probably do not want to wait and get what they can. No cap also eliminates the floor, so it's not a given that salaries will escalate like some people want to believe. A few teams might drive some of the spending, but not everyone is going to try to keep up with Snyder.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

How so?

Because we're talking about a labor force where even the lowest paid individuals are still in the top 2% of all wage earners and the elite players are even higher. Let me know how many other unions get their workers that much money. There is a point where what they are making becomes unreasonable.

[dakranker]

Depends on how good you are, most players probably do not want to wait and get what they can. No cap also eliminates the floor, so it's not a given that salaries will escalate like some people want to believe. A few teams might drive some of the spending, but not everyone is going to try to keep up with Snyder.

The free agents we have (excluding Price) would get top dollar if they played their current level going into an uncapped season.

[dakranker]

Because we're talking about a labor force where even the lowest paid individuals are still in the top 2% of all wage earners and the elite players are even higher. Let me know how many other unions get their workers that much money. There is a point where what they are making becomes unreasonable.

Like what the owners make?

[watermock]

Like what the owners make?

they are not owners you dimwit...they are employed

[Drek]

Gene wants no cap
Of course, he thinks he's Billy Hunter, heading the most powerful labor union in the world. Sorry Gene, your union isn't nearly that powerful.

Thats what a lot of people will miss here though, they think Upshaw is bargaining for more points, he's not. He's all for tearing up the current CBA and starting over from scratch.

[dakranker]

they are not owners you dimwit...they are employed

Thanks for clarifying that you retard.

[Garcia Bronco]

Upshaw's a POS Raider

[Drek]

Maybe my perspective has been warped by all the “C.E.O. bonuses” in the news recently but giving the workforce 60% doesn’t seem unreasonable.
Its unreasonable when its only a fraction of the workforce. The owners still need to pay many more people, all of whom make a fraction of what the players make. Coaching, front office, training, and medical personel are all very expensive. Sales, custodial, maintenance, security, and corporate staffers also need to be paid. Then there's the cost of actual maintenance, stadium upkeep, facilities, etc.. Its not cheap to run an NFL team.

Sorry, I've been a big "players over owners" person with past labor agreements, but the owners have put up a more than reasonable share of the league's revenue to players. The owners take all the financial risk and at this point are offering to not even take the lion's share of the profits. They gave Upshaw his pound of flesh and now he's asking for more.

[dakranker]

The owners take all the financial risk and at this point are offering to not even take the lion's share of the profits.

That’s a joke right? The financial risk an NFL owner takes is almost nil and I think you are confusing profits and revenue.

[clint7]

There's no way the NFL should have to give up 60%.

58% is a hell of a good concession. Upshaw is being unreasonable.

Yep.

[Mediator12]

Alright, what photoshop geek can get Upshaw as chicken little?


"NO Cap, No Cap the NFL is in trouble!"

[Lestat]

something tells me if the NFL gives 60 upshaw will scream for 62 then


if it's a 2% gap they should just make it 59 & shut up so they can stop screwing Denver over

[Clockwork Orange]

if it's a 2% gap they should just make it 59 & shut up so they can stop screwing Denver over

The Broncos aren't the only ones. There will be teams who have to make bigger cuts than Denver will. It'll suck to lose Lepsis & Warren (I didn't include Pryce because I think it's a given that he'll be released) but at least that's all the Broncos will have to lose to get under the cap. It could be worse.

[baja]

Next season's NFL salary cap likely will be about $108 million per team if the owners and the players' union can agree to an extension of their collective bargaining agreement. It probably will be set at $95 million to $96 million per club if there's no labor extension. Last season's salary cap was $85.5 million per team.
-- Washington Post

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/scorecard/02/28/truth.rumors.nfl/index.html

Just think what we could do if this happens. Our owner will always spend to the max, and we could go get some guys.

Every other team gets the increase too so all that changes is how much the players get there is no advantage for the broncos

[WABronco]

Alright, what photoshop geek can get Upshaw as chicken little?


"NO Cap, No Cap the NFL is in trouble!"

That's what I'm hoping he ends up being remembered as:pray: ...

[Clockwork Orange]

Skins are absolutely screwed though.

And Mark Brunell isn't going to do them any favors. From kffl.

Redskins | Brunell rejects team's proposal
Tue, 28 Feb 2006 20:34:06 -0800

Jason La Canfora, of the Washington Post, reports Washington Redskins QB Mark Brunell rejected the team's offer to renegotiate his contract. Brunell has a base salary of $4 million for the 2006 season and the Redskins had hoped to convert his base salary to bonuses in an effort to reduce his cap figure. The Redskins salary cap number is currently $115.4 million, nearly $20 million over the projected salary cap of about $96 million. The team has until 12:01 a.m. on Friday, March 3, to get under the salary cap. Cutting or trading Brunell is not much of an option as he would cost more against the cap if that were to occur.

[fontaine]

Damn, just our luck. The skins are going to hell in a handbasket now and not last year when we could have had the top 10 pick.

[eddie mac]

I think the top players who's contracts are now ending will have major decisions to make. Do they take a long-term contract this season when there may be a better opportunity to make more $$ next year or do they sign 1 year deals to the highest bidder and hope their production levels dont drop or they dont get injured.

[Drek]

That’s a joke right? The financial risk an NFL owner takes is almost nil and I think you are confusing profits and revenue.
The CBA calls for players getting a percentage of revenue (the new deal for total team revenue), not profit. Thats a damn important destinction. As it is well over 50% of all money coming in to the NFL, regardless of how much is going out, is funnelled into player salaries. Thats pretty damn reasonable.

Everyone thinks NFL teams see nothing but dollar signs. Yeah, to date they have, but the new CBA being discussed is going to increase the NFLPA's piece of the total revnue pie by 26%. Right now the owners are sitting pretty, seeing big profits annually for the most part. You cut $20M off the top of that and their end of year profit isn't nearly as impressive.

As it is the owner's CBA will probably result in league wide increased ticket prices, if you're going to pull another $20M out of the owners' pockets you can be damn sure they'll screw every fan they can over to put as much back in as possible.

The NFLPA has a very good thing going, the owners are offering them a huge "raise". Upshaw thinks his league can break the owners' back though and go uncapped like baseball, probably hoping for guaranteed contracts as well. I really doubt at this point that this CBA situation will end anything but badly.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

And Mark Brunell isn't going to do them any favors.


Why should he? They can't cut him since there'd be a cap charge if they did that.

[-Slap-]

Is it just me, or does it seem like Upshaw wants to shut the league down in two years? What does he gain from that? Does he want to eliminate the cap? I guess I don't quite get the gist of what he wants.
Maybe he's tired of all the players and ex-players who bitched at him non-stop for selling them all out during the last negotiations with ownership.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Maybe he's tired of all the players and ex-players who b****ed at him non-stop for selling them all out during the last negotiations with ownership.

Yeah. There's been talk in the past that he's been too cozy with Tags and their relationship isn't adversarial enough. I wonder if a lot of this is just him showing that he won't cave to the League?

[Mile High Shack]

The CBA calls for players getting a percentage of revenue (the new deal for total team revenue), not profit. Thats a damn important destinction. As it is well over 50% of all money coming in to the NFL, regardless of how much is going out, is funnelled into player salaries. Thats pretty damn reasonable.

Everyone thinks NFL teams see nothing but dollar signs. Yeah, to date they have, but the new CBA being discussed is going to increase the NFLPA's piece of the total revnue pie by 26%. Right now the owners are sitting pretty, seeing big profits annually for the most part. You cut $20M off the top of that and their end of year profit isn't nearly as impressive.

As it is the owner's CBA will probably result in league wide increased ticket prices, if you're going to pull another $20M out of the owners' pockets you can be damn sure they'll screw every fan they can over to put as much back in as possible.

The NFLPA has a very good thing going, the owners are offering them a huge "raise". Upshaw thinks his league can break the owners' back though and go uncapped like baseball, probably hoping for guaranteed contracts as well. I really doubt at this point that this CBA situation will end anything but badly.

I totally agree, I had hope until last night

I'm not getting NFL Ticket after next year unless they get this fixed

I doubt my one thing will effect anything, but I'm not contributing to the downfall of the sport I love

[Mediator12]

The CBA calls for players getting a percentage of revenue (the new deal for total team revenue), not profit. Thats a damn important destinction. As it is well over 50% of all money coming in to the NFL, regardless of how much is going out, is funnelled into player salaries. Thats pretty damn reasonable.

Everyone thinks NFL teams see nothing but dollar signs. Yeah, to date they have, but the new CBA being discussed is going to increase the NFLPA's piece of the total revnue pie by 26%. Right now the owners are sitting pretty, seeing big profits annually for the most part. You cut $20M off the top of that and their end of year profit isn't nearly as impressive.

As it is the owner's CBA will probably result in league wide increased ticket prices, if you're going to pull another $20M out of the owners' pockets you can be damn sure they'll screw every fan they can over to put as much back in as possible.

The NFLPA has a very good thing going, the owners are offering them a huge "raise". Upshaw thinks his league can break the owners' back though and go uncapped like baseball, probably hoping for guaranteed contracts as well. I really doubt at this point that this CBA situation will end anything but badly.


Here is the thing that still pisses me off about this. The players are overpayed as it is right now with HUGE discrepancies between the have's and have not's. This is why Upshaw is shooting the moon with this. He believes that a HUGE total net increase in money payed to the players will cover up the Pathetic Job the union has done in creating equality for the players and their benefits.

The average player plays 3.2 years in the league and earns 1.06 mil over that time. They then make less than 70k when they leave the league on average. So, they make around 22% of their NFL earnings when the leave the NFL. Most guys have less than 5% of those earnings left in savings and are accustomed to the lifestyle they lived while playing. They fail to qualify for full benefits either. Upshaw should be addressing this disparity more than posturing for a rediculous amount of revenues. Sure the players are the sport, but the inverse also applies. These guys would make even less without playing in the NFL when they are finished. Undrafted prospects who enter the workforce average about 31k a year. Most of that is inflated by Alma mater hiring practices as well.

Meanwhile Peyton Manning clears 15 MIL a year while the UDFA guard protecting him makes 400K (Thank you Shawn Merriman and Joey Porter for exploiting this!). Anyone else see how Peyton's performance is tied to pass protection? He was pretty average getting dropped every other snap.

Seriously, who even comes close as a labor force to getting 50% of revenues paid for salaries and even more paid for benefits??? The Answer: NO ONE! Yet the owners are willing to give up 3% more this time and the NFLPA wants 7% more. Upshaw needs to do something for a living instead of leaching off the union himself. Make the changes the players would benefit the most from and use the money more wisely. Good stewardship of the resources would go a hell of a lot better than just throwing more money into pot for the players to squander.

[Mediator12]

Finally, this is starting to be written about with some thought instead of wanton acceptance of sound bytes. I know people here are hostile to this guy, but read what others have told him about the state of the NFLPA

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/dr_z/02/22/notes/index.html