2025 NFL Offseason thread

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

You've expressed such feelings before. Which I find cold, calloused, & insensitive. Borderline sadistic. No different than people who could give a rat's behind about child labor. As long as the products are affordable, do whatcha gotta do. But that's you.

It's not bad for the game, guaranteed contracts. What it's bad for are owners. Every other institution operates, including professional sports, w/guaranteed contracts and survive & thrive. But somehow you and others like you are gullible enough to think NFL owners who've made billions outside of football w/guaranteed contracts are too stupid to know how to do it as a franchise owner. But you've let yourself be suckered by the spin.

Actually, I am completely against cheap labor. Even if it means paying more.

With the NFL I'm just using simple logic. If you have to keep a player on the cap that you would otherwise release, that's not good for the team. Times that by many, and it's not good for the sport. There is no positive spin you can put on that. That doesn't mean they can't make a lot of money.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

Actually, I am completely against cheap labor. Even if it means paying more.

With the NFL I'm just using simple logic. If you have to keep a player on the cap that you would otherwise release, that's not good for the team. Times that by many, and it's not good for the sport. There is no positive spin you can put on that. That doesn't mean they can't make a lot of money.

The amount of salary doesn't change anything. Whether it is football, prostitution, blood diamonds, textiles, boxing etc me saying I don't care about the hardship a person is put through as long as my wants are satisfied is sad.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

The amount of salary doesn't change anything. Whether it is football, prostitution, blood diamonds, textiles, boxing etc me saying I don't care about the hardship a person is put through as long as my wants are satisfied is sad.

There is no hardship in the NFL. These guys get paid very well even at league minimum. Sorry, I'm not shedding any tears.

As far as blood diamonds, should I worry about where they come from?

Do owners of EVs worry who worked for that car?

My point was simply the NFL product on the field. I want the best product on the field. No one has to play this sport. Go get a job at Walmart. I'm not going to worry about athletes that make 100 times what I make. Don't play.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

There is no hardship in the NFL. These guys get paid very well even at league minimum. Sorry, I'm not shedding any tears.

As far as blood diamonds, should I worry about where they come from?

Do owners of EVs worry who worked for that car?

My point was simply the NFL product on the field. I want the best product on the field. No one has to play this sport. Go get a job at Walmart. I'm not going to worry about athletes that make 100 times what I make. Don't play.

I know what your point is. Never had any confusion about it. As I've said, you've mentioned the very same thinking previously. I'm just not that calloused. To be that unconcerned in order to spare expense to my enjoyment is deplorable to me.

We are agreeing to disagree.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

I know what your point is. Never had any confusion about it. As I've said, you've mentioned the very same thinking previously. I'm just not that calloused. To be that unconcerned in order to spare expense to my enjoyment is deplorable to me.

We are agreeing to disagree.

I absolutely respect your opinion. I even agree with your conclusion. But what I think really doesn't matter. I was simply pointing out that the game can be compromised by guaranteed contracts. That's it.

I'm just not willing to compromise the game for player safety. But that's a totally different issue. These guys get paid a lot of money. They have a choice. I watch the game for entertainment. I'm never going to be for less entertainment.

I have the same work ethic at my job as a toll collector. It's your job to know where you are. If your ignorance costs you money, don't expect me to care if you don't.

[Syd Thrift]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Pablo Torre Finds Out - The NFL illegally conspired to collude & got a way with it.

What I've gathered is...

a. this is pretty much exactly what MLB did in the 80s when they were charged with colluding.

b. the union HORRIBLY mismanaged this, especially trying to suppress the release of the findings.

c. I think what this came down to is that there were three cases in Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson, and Lamar Jackson, and the arbitrator basically threw out Wilson because JC Tretter of the NFLPA said it was because Russ was "a wuss" and decided that 2 cases of collusion, however obvious, wasn't enough for a pattern.

This sucks, no doubt about it. I don't like what the owners did here at all and this ruling gives them carte blanche to keep doing it. But it really really looks to me like the players' union fumbled this one.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Syd Thrift

This sucks, no doubt about it. I don't like what the owners did here at all and this ruling gives them carte blanche to keep doing it. But it really really looks to me like the players' union fumbled this one.

What is mind-boggling is that this the 3rd time the NFL got caught red-handed doing something criminal that could have forced them to alter the way they do business and they ducked any consequences.

Lost the USFL antitrust suit & paid a $3 penalty.

Found guilty of violating the CBA by forcing the networks to agree to contracts that paid them even if there was a lockout. Then used the guilty verdict as a bargaining chip.

And now this.

It is like that alternate earth in the DC comics where the super villains rule and always win.

[Cobra Mgr]

The ineptness, impotence & incompetence of the NFLPA never surprises me, yet somehow continues to surprise me. How can you reach an agreement not to share information w/the workforce you represent?

[Cobra Mgr]

Dan LeBatard Show - Pablo Torre on NFLPA hiding info on collusion arbitration

[Ragnar]

So far only two 2nd round picks from the 2025 NFL draft have signed their rookie contracts. The first two picks of the 2nd round. Both of them got fully guaranteed contracts. I guess the rest are looking for something similar.

The NFL usually does a pretty good job at picking their battles. But this, this just looks like they're taking cheap to a new level. I know the owners have a death grip on that dollar bill, but what are they so afraid of? Where's the risk here?

At the same time, why are the players pushing this? If you're a 2nd round pick, you're probably going to be on the team for most, if not the entire 4 year contract. The Cowboys have one of the worst 2nd round picks at TE going into his 3rd year already.

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/...80e2be7402443a

[Cobra Mgr]

Hadn't noticed. Interesting development. I wonder if the NFL will collude again & get away with it.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Hadn't noticed. Interesting development. I wonder if the NFL will collude again & get away with it.

The article says Houston gave their pick the guaranteed money first. He was the 2nd pick in the 2nd round. That prompted Cleveland to give the 1st pick in the 2nd round the guarantee.

Chargers training camp started, and their 2nd round pick is holding out. Tre Harris has to hope a lot of other 2nd round picks also hold out. Because he's the 23rd pick in the 2nd round. Unless that gap is bridged, he's going to have to end his holdout.

[Cobra Mgr]

Tampa bringing back the white creamsicles.

[Cobra Mgr]

Chargers all yellow. Answering all who wonder what would it look like if Big Bird had solid 40 time.

[Cobra Mgr]

The NFL players on their own needs to demand some serious independent investigations here.

Remember how the union lost their collusion grievance despite the arbiter concluding the NFL encouraged "price-fixing" due to emails, personal correspondence & a power point presentation.

The arbiter also ruled against the union for encouraging faking injuries among RB's to gain leverage in contract negotiations. The evidence being a Zoom meeting & an interview on a podcast.

So to recap, owners discussing doing illegal activity equals not guilty. Players discussing illegal activity equals guilty.

[Cobra Mgr]

TJ Watt signs 3yr $123M w/Steelers

[Cobra Mgr]

Lloyd Howell resigns as Chief Executive director of the NFLPA.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Lloyd Howell resigns as Chief Executive director of the NFLPA.

Seems like the final nail in Howell's coffin was a trip to Magic City on the NFLPA's dime.

[low]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

TJ Watt signs 3yr $123M w/Steelers

Seems like a lot for a guy that's going to play 12-14 games a year.

PS. Still wish he was in Green Bay, though.

[Ragnar]

It's basically a 2 year extension. He'll never see the 21M in the 3rd year. I doubt he cares.