Atlanta Falcons » 2011 » July » 15

NFL-NFLPA issue joint statement; no deal yet

D. Orlando Ledbetter — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 21:59:09 +0000

Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis Colts center, arrives Friday's labor talks in New York. Saturday, an Atlanta native, played at old Shamrock High. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

The NFL and the NFLPA issued a joint statement on Friday and declared that both sides will continue to work on an labor agreement Saturday and Sunday.

The parties have a meeting with chief magistrate Arthur J. Boylan, the court-appointed mediator, on Tuesday in Minneapolis. The league will hold a special meeting at a hotel near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Thursday.

“The discussions this week have been constructive and progress has been made on a wide range of issues,” the release said. “Our legal and financial teams will continue to work through the weekend. We will continue to respect the confidentiality orders of Chief Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan and will therefore refrain from commenting on specific issues or aspects of the negotiations. We will provide additional information as …

Tyson Clabo takes us inside the NFL labor negotiations

D. Orlando Ledbetter — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:12:24 +0000

Atlanta Falcons' Tyson Clabo enters a Manhattan law office, Wednesday, July 13, 2011, in New York. NFL owners and player representatives arrived for another round of labor talks as the negotiations hit a critical phase. (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)

Falcons offensive tackle Tyson Clabo, the team’s player rep along with linebacker Coy Wire, spent two days earlier this week in New York in the midst of the NFL labor negotiations.

Both sides are under orders not to discuss details of the talks and could be fined. But, Clabo, in an exclusive interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, discussed his trip to the negotiating table.

“I can tell you that when they come out and say that everybody is working really hard, they really are working really hard,” Clabo said. “When I was sitting at home and would hear that everybody is working really hard, I’d say, ‘they can’t be working really too hard because nothing is getting done.’ That is not true. Everyone up there is working really …

Sign or Don’t Sign: Tyson Clabo wants to remain a Falcon

D. Orlando Ledbetter — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:30:01 +0000

Falcons guards Justin Blalock (left) and Tyson Clabo help Ryan to his feet after a hit against Tampa Bay (Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com)

Everybody is having a little fun spending Arthur Blank’s money.

You all want to keep punter and kickoff specialist Michael Koenen, too.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.This came after everyone voted to sign left guard Justin Blalock, running back Jason Snelling and returner-receiver Eric Weems. You all voted not to re-sign running back Jerious Norwood.

Today, we have a major issue to consider in starting right tackle Tyson Clabo in “Sign” or “Don’t Sign.” He’s the No. 1 rated tackle in free agency, according to ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper.

A deal to keep Clabo should in the $35 to $45 million range. Clabo would like to return to the Falcons.

“I’m excited (about free agency),” Clabo said via telephone Thursday evening. “It’s something that I felt that I’d earned …