BJ Sander gets cut. Possibly the most controversial and worst draft pick ever by the Packers. He just couldn't get it done and that Ryan kid has a leg like a howitzer. I praised Sander last season when warranted, but after 3 years and no real improvement, time to cut him loose.
Spitz and Moll are named the starting Guards. We knew it was going to likely be 2 rookie guards starting, but Moll ended up being the surprise one. I like this move by MM to commit to getting this line together and a chance for them to gel for the next 3 weeks prior to season. None of this "we'll see at game time" crap we got from Sherman last year.
Bryant Gumbel continues to prove he's a moron. Gumble has been the butt of so many jokes over the last decade that he decided to lash out at someone. He wants the NFL to give guaranteed contracts how basketball has. This contract system has ruined the NBA, as when a player stinks, the team has absolutely no out and must suffer for years with a poor player.
Gumbel continues his intelligent rant by calling Upshaw "Tagliabue's pet". There's over 20 years of Gumbel's professional journalism coming out there. Apparently it's wrong for the union head and the owner's head to have a good working relationship and no labor problems for the past 20+ years. Gumbel would like football to be more like hockey, baseball and basketball where there are labor stoppages every time the contract expires due to the complete inability of the different heads to get along and agree on anything. Obviously Gumbel is against freedom and hates America with his thinking.
He should also consider who his is attacking. Upshaw was a former Oakland Raider back in the day when rule compliance was voluntary and winning was who made the most opposing players leave on a stretcher. Upshaw will bitch-slap him into next week. I'd love to see that on NFL Network.
7 comments:
First, right or wrong, its refreshing to see someone in the media actually criticise the NFL. Have you noticed that few ever do it. They don't want to bite the hand that feeds them. Its a lot safer to attack Bud selig. Right or wrong, Gumbel showed some guts.
Second, I doubt Upshaw would kick Gumbel's ass. Usually thats resorted to by only by those who don't have what it takes to respond intellectually. Upshaw can handle himself in that department.
I don't think it was guts by Gumble, it's simply a publicity stunt and he's looking for a windmill to attack.
It's one thing to criticize with intelligence and facts. It's a whole different story when it's just name-calling and veiled racism.
I agree that Upshaw won't resort to kicking Gumble's ass. Although a man can dream.
What kind of contract is binding on one party but not another? The answer? One that isn't a contract.
I think the NFL should have guaranteed contracts. If they are worried about the risks, shorten the lengths of the contracts. That's what the NBA has done.
The NBA also has limits on rookie contracts and maximum contracts. That means that some doofus fresh out of college doesn't make more than established veterans. In return, the players get the benefit of their bargain on their second contract. That is only fair.
What the NFL has is un-American. Teams routinely renege on contracts and at the same time expect the players to honor them. I can't think of any other organization or situation in the United States where this is the case. It sounds like some sort of remnant from a feudal system.
Of course, for making these statements, I'll probably be round up and shot by the NFL thought police.
Well, I know better than to get into a contract argument with the esteemed attorney, SBG.
I will simply point out that no one is violating a contract in the NFL. It's all written in there that players can be released, under the guidelines per the contract. The players know this and voluntarily agree to these deals.
How's that guaranteed contract situation working out for the T-Wolves anyway SBG?
The Wolves have gotten what they deserve. I'm fine with it on principle.
Voluntarily? Only in the sense that they can't play real professional football without signing the "contract".
NFL players' "contracts" are extremely unfair to the players, in my opinion. But, it's not surprising, since the NFL is not a players' league.
Cheesehead:
I know you're not big on my "Four Blocks to Miller Park" Brewer blog, but I think you'll get a kick out of my latest post. Inspired by the great Tomo Ohka "switch to lefty" batting experiment. http://fourblockstomillerpark.blogspot.com/2006/08/hit-em-where-they-aint-tomo-carew.html
Keep up the great Packer and Buck work.
Ty
"The NFL is not a player's league". Whaaa! What for-profit entity is in it for their employees, really (other than law firms :) )? It's all lip service that employee's are "the most important asset".
These guys get compensated quite well for the risk of being cut at any time. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars in signing bonus (non-refundable in the vast majority of cases) and salary every year is not such a bad life to have, even for only 4-5 years. They are set for life. 22-27 yr olds cannot get that anywhere else but professional sports. The trade off is more than fair.
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