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Mark Bradley

Will Super Bowl XLV be the last NFL game we ever see?

11:57 am January 27, 2011, by Mark Bradley

OK, so the headline is a bit of hyperbole. (Me? Hyperbolic? Say it ain’t so!) But Steelers-Packers looks more and more like the last NFL game before the owners lock out their players, and there’s a chance a lockout could last a while.

My default position has been that the NFL is too smart to fall into a long-term work stoppage. (Yes, I was around in 1982, when half the season was lost to a players’ strike, and again in 1987, when the workers again walked out and three regrettable games using replacements were staged.) Baseball has since lost a World Series and the NBA half a season and the NHL a whole season, and pro football has sailed blissfully onward. But the bliss is about to end.

I’m not sure this NFL commissioner and these owners are as smart as those we’d come to know. History lesson: The NFL got huge because Pete Rozelle convinced his owners they were partners first and competitors second and that any TV contracts must be league contracts. (This as opposed to baseball, where each franchise works out its local TV deal for itself, which is why the Yankees mint money and the Pirates haven’t had a winning season since Sid Bream slid.)

Rozelle was the smartest commissioner in the history of sports — apologies to David Stern — and was succeeded by Paul Tagliabue, himself no dummy. But Roger Goodell is the new sheriff, and he seems markedly less clever.

In an excellent Lockout Primer, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk suggests the NFL suffers from a lack of  gravitas, which is another way of saying: Too many owners want to be like Jerry Jones. The owners of yore, schooled and herded by Rozelle, knew that to miss games was bad for business. It was the players who went on strike in 1982 and again in 1987, and both times they came back to work without having gained what they wanted. The players were simply losing too much money not playing. It will take a while before these owners lose enough money to hurt.

These owners want, shock of shocks, to share less revenue. (Building your own stadium is hard, Jerry Jones wants us to know.) And the owners do have leverage: They’re rich already; they don’t have to depend on weekly checks the way players do. When regular-season games start being lost, it’s going to hurt the players more than the owners. And the side suffering more is the side apt to surrender.

To answer a question often raised: There will be a draft even if there’s a lockout. But, as Peter King of SI.com has noted, there might not be any free agency if this lockout lasts into September. And right now, I’d guess it will last at least that long. Because I have no faith in Goodell to control his owners.

Goodell just announced he would cut his salary from $10 million to $1 if there’s a work stoppage. It’s another in a series of Grand Goodell Gestures, but this commissioner is better at gesturing than he is at commissioning. And really, wouldn’t the better course be to say, “If I can stave off a lockout, my salary gets doubled”?

For the first time, the players seem to be hitting the right notes. (Antonio Cromartie’s rant notwithstanding.) They’re positioning themselves as victims, not instigators. The NFL Players Association has even launched a Web site — NFLLockout.com — to take its case to the people. And that’s another key difference: If the players are convinced they’ve been wronged, they might actually stick together this time.

A guess: This Super Bowl won’t be the last pro football game we ever see, but it will be the last we see until October.

By Mark Bradley

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158 comments Add your comment

Dontavius Supremo

January 27th, 2011
12:01 pm

A pox on them both. I’ll stick to college ball. Better games anyway.

Locked-up

January 27th, 2011
12:05 pm

Yes the S.B will be the last pro football game of 2011…..too much $ involved not to make it back in 2012!

DILLIGAF

January 27th, 2011
12:07 pm

Second!

DILLIGAF

January 27th, 2011
12:08 pm

I meant third!

GHS

January 27th, 2011
12:09 pm

sucks for the ones that want to get drafted! COllege is way better!

GOCOCKS

January 27th, 2011
12:09 pm

Let’s assume the ENTIRE season is lost.

What does Tony Gonzalez do? Does he come back another year older, and not having played in over a year?

Mark Bradley

January 27th, 2011
12:14 pm

I can’t imagine the whole season will be lost.

ATLjinx

January 27th, 2011
12:14 pm

NFL ball chess…college ball checkers…no contest nfl is a better game…at least that would end our championship curse…in a way

Preston

January 27th, 2011
12:14 pm

Mark, just when I was about to blast you for asking such a ridiculous question in the headline, the witty Sid bream line turned things around for me. Clever!

Mr. Obvious

January 27th, 2011
12:17 pm

If Super Bowl XVL is indeed the last NFL game ever played, we should probably expect nationwide crime rates such as those of carjackings, armed robberies, drug trafficking and smash-and-grab thefts to skyrocket, as many these crude, thuggish, inarticulate, steroid-laden, chest-thumping, wife-beating, STD-spreading neanderthals who mysteriously somehow “graduated” college are incapable of earning millions of dollars doing anything else for a living (legally).

SimpleDawg

January 27th, 2011
12:18 pm

I don’t plan to renew my Falcon season tickets until this thing gets settled.

I’m not paying for a product that may or may not be what is promised by the club, nor expected by the consumer.

The 18 game schedule is desired only by the owners…..the fans don’t want more games, they just don’t want to be required to pay for 4 preseason games, 2 of which are crap.

The players want to use the 18 game schedule to increase their health benefits….I don’t blame them.

I say scrap the 18 game idea. Find a way to share the revenue – maybe roll additional health care into the sharing equation, and let’s play ball.

ATLjinx

January 27th, 2011
12:22 pm

well you better hope they settle it by the 11th cause thats when they’re due!

Fish Bisch

January 27th, 2011
12:25 pm

I certainly hope this is the last super bowl involving the pittsburgh steelers.

SimpleDawg

January 27th, 2011
12:32 pm

I know. I’ll just have to get in line with anyone else who decides to apply for tickets….after the stoppage.

UGABugKiller

January 27th, 2011
12:32 pm

Wow, Mark, I usually don’t see this kind of take from you on an issue.

And by that I mean a seemingly uneducated and completely WRONG take.

The NFL is in this precarious position precisely BECAUSE the Commisioner you think smarter than Goodell, Paul Tagliabue, caused the current unrest because he was more worried about his legacy and getting into the HOF than creating a collective bargaining deal that all parties liked.

Oh yeah, that’s right, Mark, did you forget that Tags basically shoved this deal down the owner’s throats, so as to ensure a false sense of labor peace, thus ending his career on a high note.

I guess you never read Peter King or other pundits who say the very reason why Tags is being kept out of the HOF is precisely BECAUSE he and his last CBA is the root cause of this lockout, huh?

The fact of the matter is, the CBA Tags forced on the owners was a bad deal. In no other league do the players get that much revenue. And yes, in an era of economic instability in this country, where tax-payer built stadiums are becoming a thing of the past (thank God), this deal does stink. It’s way the owner’s opted out of it.

Because it doesn’t work for them. Of course the players loved the deal, it gave them unprecedented amounts of revenue in a sport where your next play could be your last.

And lets not even get into the fact that the NFLPA is a corrupt organization that does everything it can to ignore the severe medical issues surrounding the players who whose shoulders morons like De Smith stand on to proclaim that he is, “Going to War.”

You’d think with the windfall of money the NFLPA got from Tags’s CBA, they’d pay for the medical expenses caused by the serious amount of brain damage, knee injuries, etc, that former players are suffering from. Players in the 60’s and 70’s who never sniffed a million-dollar contract.

I guess a situation like that just slipped your mind as you were so quick to jump on De Smith’s War Wagon and pile on the owners.

Uneducated. Wrong. I’m disappointed, Mark.

Fish Bisch

January 27th, 2011
12:32 pm

For the record, I disagree with Dontavius Supremo. His idea of “better games” is flawed. I don’t think watching big universities beating up on the little sisters of the poor every single saturday is better than the parody the NFL gives the fans.

GSU Eagle 91

January 27th, 2011
12:36 pm

Until there is a way to cap the ridiculous salaries made by unproven rookies due to their draft status, there will be no football in 2012…
So what…I love the NFl, but I love the game of football at all levels..From young kids in a Pop Warner league, to my local high school in Villa Rica..and of course,,,,College football is my favorite sport of all…
If these guys rot on the sidelines, too bad..Hopefully they saved a few $$ ( see Derrick Coleman’s bio) and stay in shape when the call finally does come in to report…
Mark…Our Falcons need better # 2,3 and 4 receivers….and better back-ups at CB…

Seth

January 27th, 2011
12:38 pm

As a boy, I thought the NFL was the greatest sports league ever created and dreamed of one day playing in it.

As an adult, however, I’ve sadly watch the NFL become the one-game-a week version of the NBA
where a T-E-A-M sport has turned into a group of self-aggrandizing, selfish, me-first, attention-grubbing individuals who put themselves before the sport itself, their team, their teammates and the fans.

The 21st-Century NFL, as well as the OTHER “League of Extraordinary Hoodlums” known as the NBA, can both go out of business forever as soon as tomorrow for all I care.

Good Riddance to ALL of these criminals and the crooked, greedy owners, too!

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January 27th, 2011
12:38 pm

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Gail Sideman, Mark Bradley. Mark Bradley said: So, with the #NFL lockout coming, will Super Bowl XLV be the last pro football game we ever see? http://bit.ly/ga2R9w [...]

KC

January 27th, 2011
12:39 pm

I haven’t renewed my season tickets yet either. I believe we have up until 2/11 as the deadline. I doubt the whole season will be lost. But what if games are lost?? Do they issue a partial refund? Anybody know?

GT

January 27th, 2011
12:41 pm

If that’s the case, not playing until october, i hope all the hard teams the falcons play are at the start of the season. lol

Who Dat got a Super Bowl ring??

January 27th, 2011
12:44 pm

How are the owners going to handle rookie contracts? I’m assuming that since there is still going to be a draft the rookies are going to want the usuall 10% increase over last years draft picks. However, isn’t one of the sticking points of the new CBA, a rookie pay scales that pays draft picks far less than what they have been making? Anybody got any insight?

Paul in RDU

January 27th, 2011
12:46 pm

I can’t see there being a lost season, although no games before October is a distinct possibility. Want to bet that the teams will only need 2 pre-season games to get ready for a shortened season?

I take the claims of poor profitability of NFL owners with a large grain of salt. How many owners have sons, daughters and other relatives on the payroll at highly inflated salaries? How many of them live high on the hog on the team nickel? Remember the previous Falcons owners?

Curious George

January 27th, 2011
12:47 pm

If the NFL goes out of business and all the players are no longer making MILLION$, will sleazy, gold-digging women (or On-The-Down-Low men) with no morality or self-respect still want to climb into bed with league felons such as Michael “Ick” Vick and his venereal diseases when the possibility of a huge pay day is no longer involved?

GT Alum

January 27th, 2011
12:48 pm

MB, the players union has been trying to position themselves as victims for a while. Their problem is apparently you’re the only person stupid enough to buy into it.

jtdawg

January 27th, 2011
12:51 pm

First, I think your hyperbole is over the top, even for you.

Second, I believe your assumption there will be a long lockout is hyperbole as well, Mr. Chicken Little.

Third, why the knock on Goodell? Aside from his silly insistence on internationalizing the game (good business/bad idea) and 18 games (moot point players are whining about that they already play anyway), what grand issues has Goodell screwed the pooch on to be poo-poohed away so tidily?

DirtyBirdsin11

January 27th, 2011
12:52 pm

I don’t know why everyone here in the south thinks that college football is a better product than pro football. The NFL is the best of the best, and produces dramatic games, and jaw-dropping performances week in and week out. It also doesn’t use the opinions of random coaches and writers who have watched fewer games than most zealous fans down here to crown a champion. The NFL actually has a champion who has earned the title on the field, against the best teams in the league for 4 straight weeks. College football is entertaining, and produces more passionate rivalries, but the NFL is far and away the better product. You don’t have to worry about your players being suspended for selling a jersey or getting a tattoo. Your coach doesn’t have to waste his time sucking up to kids and their parents or coaxing money out of rich boosters; he can focus on football and personnel. The NFL is the best and most entertaining sports viewing experience a fan could ever hope for.

Mark Bradley Jr.

January 27th, 2011
12:52 pm

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

Mark Bradley Jr.

January 27th, 2011
12:53 pm

I heard a rumor that Goodell is in negotiations with Obama to lock out Congress! The states will collapse in months! Chaos rules! That darn Goodell!

LawDawg

January 27th, 2011
12:54 pm

Rozelle and Paul Tagliabue were both phenomenally good commissioners and the NFL got better and better with every decision. Since Goodell came in, every decision has made the league worse. Recently we have had the No Fun League rules which tone the game down (and not in a good way) and now we have these fits and starts toward making the game no contact while also proposing an 18 game season (ESPN is a bigger hypocrite in this arena, alternatively providing a megaphone for the concussion-fearing crowd, particularly after the Dunta/DeSean Jackson and Harrison hits that one weekend and then turning around and calling Jay Cutler a p****). I have no faith that Goodell will keep this lockout from losing us a half year of football.

Also, David Stern is a great commissioner? Are you serious? I guess he kept Jordan’s banishment for gambling underwraps (thereby preventing the destruction of his league), but he has allowed point shaving to become rampant and refereeing has not been down the middle in an LAL or BOS game in 20 years.

Mark Bradley Jr.

January 27th, 2011
12:55 pm

Dad’s next article for you sneak peekers:

Freddi Gonzolas May Never Win a Game as Braves Manager, And Here’s Why:

gabeaux

January 27th, 2011
12:55 pm

NFL teams will refund the price of your tickets for every game lost to a work stoppage. That said, they will be stupid if they let all this primate posturing lead to a lockout. They are on top of the sports world now and if they hold out, their fans will find alternative ways to spend their money.

Mark Bradley Jr.

January 27th, 2011
12:56 pm

that’s Gonzales. I spell as good as dad sometimes too…

jtdawg

January 27th, 2011
12:58 pm

I sure believe that Goodell isn’t the commisioner that Rozelle (innovator) and Tagliabue was, but he is not responsible for the Owners wanting a better deal.

They feel they got shorted whether we like it or not. Goodell can only preach to the good of the league. He is NOT to blame for this mess.

Fish Bisch

January 27th, 2011
1:00 pm

dirtybirdsin11 don’t forget college football’s gimmicky schedules that gauruntee at least 4 or 5 gimme wins for the big programs.

Navigator

January 27th, 2011
1:04 pm

Actually the idea or getting rid of over paid self centered athletes actually has a nice ring to it. Consider that college football outdraws pros at the stadium and on TV pretty much says the sport has lost it’s way.

extremus

January 27th, 2011
1:10 pm

It’s coming to this across the whole spectrum of pro sports. Baseball and the NBA are most likely going to be suffering from work stoppages come the next round of labor negotiations, because the player salaries, huge guaranteed contracts that pose ridiculous risks for a franchise, and revenue sharing issues have reached a point that small and medium markets can no longer realistically compete on a year-in, year-out basis. Rather than “The Last NFL game We Ever See”, perhaps this column should have been labeled “The Beginning of the End for Professional Sports as We Know It”, Mr. Bradley. One way or the other, things are about to come to a head.

DirtyBirdsin11

January 27th, 2011
1:12 pm

right, about 75% of college football games each year are nearly unwatchable.

CurlyHoward

January 27th, 2011
1:15 pm

Most fans this year were comparing Vick to Brady for the MVP award. Vicks name SHOULD NEVER BE MENTIONED IN THE SAME BREATH AS BRADYS. Some people are still comparing MIKE VICK to MATT RYAN. Now that Vick has regained his standing as one of the top players in the league AND has recently signed a new endorsement deal. Now that is looks like Vick is once again on track to get into the hall of fame as the greatest running quarterback the league has ever seen (PREVIOUSLY GAINING 1000 YARDS RUSHING AS THE ONLY QB TO DO SO), maybe the Falcons might consider trading to re-acquire Vick in exchange for Matty Ice. It would make sense due to Matt Ryans huge embarrasement and failure in the playoffs versus green bay where the Falcons got clobbered and embarrased on national television 48-21, getting thorougly stomped on.

I want to be a scab

January 27th, 2011
1:17 pm

What do I need to do..??

what??/

January 27th, 2011
1:25 pm

“they don’t have to depend on weekly checks the way players do.” are you kidding me???, if they do it is because they choose to live that way not because of how “little” they are paid. Yes they get paid less than the owners but by no means are they forced to live check to check. Even with the league minimum you can easily make that yearly salary last a good while, invest it and live off the interest and have a modest life.

JW

January 27th, 2011
1:25 pm

Bring back the USFL…and don’t invite that Monstrous Clown Trump!

Matt

January 27th, 2011
1:33 pm

If the players have been smart with their money they and their families will never have to work another day in the lives. Since we know that is FAR from true I imagine they will cave rather quickly. They shouldn’t have to and eventually the owners would cave because of they money they could be making. They are greedier than the players and they know nobody is going to go watch replacement players.

Matt

January 27th, 2011
1:36 pm

I’m a freaking school teacher and I don’t live check to check. There is no reason whatsoever (unless you have 8 kids by 8 different baby mommas and are therefore paying child support on all those kids which mean you were reckless and irresponsible in the first place. Other instances would include gambling debts, living beyond your means, and just beling plain foolish with your money) they should have to cave because of money problems.

winkasdad29

January 27th, 2011
1:36 pm

Dontavius Supremo

January 27th, 2011
12:01 pm
A pox on them both. I’ll stick to college ball. Better games anyway.
————————————————————————Yeah, but they don’t have any real purpose.

Matt

January 27th, 2011
1:39 pm

Curly Howard- you sir are an idiot.

Also, you think Vick is a HOF QB?!?!?!?!?!? If the next 10 years of his career are as good if not better than this one then yes he might get the nod.

5150 P.O.A.D.

January 27th, 2011
1:49 pm

Pro sports teams are ONE of the very few Industries where you can’t KILL your competator or you KILL yourself. THe NFL can try to KILL the NBA, MLB, and NHL but there will always be a season in need of a sport to watch. The NFL cannot stop work of the WINNER is COLLEGE FOOTBALL by default. I have not purchaced tickets to more than 10-20 MLB games since the last strike. I do go to a few Tech Baseball games every year, but now I have a nephew playing Lil League so I will go watch him play.
I don’t go to NFL games because I spend money on Tech Season tickets. IF the NFL Locksout I will stay a College Fan and if the NCAA keeps up with it’s crap I have a few High Schools near me I can see play.
OUTDOOR STADIUM. Atlanta doesn’t need one and can’t afford one. I would not sit outside to see a game in the cold. College is done before it gets really bad weather in the south.
The MONEY both sides make is crazy. The players need to see what kind of money their fans make and choose to spend on the GAME they play.
LeBron, Brady, and A Rod are not worth the money they make, and espically not to act the butt they do. They don’t need to charge for autographs or apperances either. All Pro players need to learn a few lessons from NASCAR Drivers on public relations.

stinky

January 27th, 2011
1:52 pm

What would happen if a sizeable chunk of the NFLPA brethren migrated to the CFL for a year?

CurlyHoward

January 27th, 2011
2:00 pm

Matt: Vick absolutely is a HOF quarterback. Vick has made the pro bowl four times in his six years of NFL service (OUTSTANDING). Secondarily, Vick was cheated out of the MVP Award this season because the media still looks at Vick as the top dog in terms of the fights he used to schedule with them. Third, Vicks jersey and football are in the HOF for him being the ONLY QB IN LEAGUE HISTORY TO RUSH FOR 1000 yards. Whether Vick ever gets into the pro football HOF in Canton or not, Vicks jersey and football will stay there forever until someone breaks Vicks 1000 yard record. But most importantly, Vick is the leagues MOST DOMINANT PLAYER, but most fans and media are looking at Vick through the prism and lens of their glasses as Vick being the “GREATEST DOGFIGHTER IN HISTORY”…. Most people remember and observe Vick, not as the leagues best and most dominant threat, but as the PETA Groups observe Vick as being the most heinous killer of dogs the world has ever seen. MOST PEOPLE ALREADY REALIZE THAT VICK WILL MAKE THE DOGFIGHTERS HALL OF FAME, but what they dont realize is that, as you said, if Vick continues to have great seasons as this one for the next 10 seasons, Vick will be enshrined into the Pro Football HOF as an amazing talent.

swhite

January 27th, 2011
2:02 pm

I don’t know if Fish Bisch meant to say “parity,” but I thinked he may have swerved into an undeniable truth. There are many Sundays that the NFL is a parody of its former self. I can’t stand to watch the sack dances, the diving into the end zone, the “dunks” over the cross bars…generally all of the hot dogging that goes on. Making a sack in the first quarter doesn’t deserve a celebration more than a high five. The problem is that all of this is slowly seeping down into the college ranks. Woe is football!

Curious George

January 27th, 2011
2:05 pm

If no new NFL games will ever be played after this year’s Super Bowl, will NFL Network change its name to “NFL Classic” going forward?

Curious George

January 27th, 2011
2:06 pm

If NFL Owners stop paying their players all that money, will Rev. Jackson lead a protest march and mug for the cameras?

Mark Bradley

January 27th, 2011
2:11 pm

Good question about the NFL Network, Curious. Now I’m curious, too.

JSS

January 27th, 2011
2:16 pm

People just want to paint the players as evil and greedy; but this and the upcoming NBA lockout are direct result of pure owner greed. They have a golden goose and they are going to cook it… I just hate that D-1 football and basketball are going to be the direct beneficiary of the fallout…

Smiling Jack

January 27th, 2011
2:19 pm

Shame, shame, shame on you Mark Bradly, Jr. for making such fun of dear old dad!

JSS

January 27th, 2011
2:21 pm

@ Mark Bradley…
The NFL Network will go into their vast vaults for programming. They can also go the “OJ Route” and use panels and experts to keep die-hards engaged daily. They also actually pitched some original programming at the Critics previews last month…

VolGuy

January 27th, 2011
2:23 pm

Who cares. It’s millionaires versus billionaires, and neither group cares about the fans. I’ll watch college football. I know it’s corrupt too but I can pretend.

5150 P.O.A.D.

January 27th, 2011
2:24 pm

I’ve seen Mark Bradley Jr! I Know Mark Bradley Jr! Mark Bradley Jr is my Friend, nad you sir are no Mark Bradley Jr.

5150 P.O.A.D.

January 27th, 2011
2:27 pm

Mike Vick a Hall of Fame QB? Man I scan’t stop laughing at that one. Vick hasn’t played enough to even guess what his future will bring. If there is a LOCKOUT that will be more time off his career. Mike Vick is exciting and can sell some tickests, but HoF amterial is really a LONG LONG streach.

tom

January 27th, 2011
2:28 pm

your must be desperate for material to write such a stupid article!

Jim Ragan

January 27th, 2011
2:31 pm

Looks like we will have the likes of Shane Falco (The Replacements) for next year’s season.

Ted Striker

January 27th, 2011
2:33 pm

If the NFL owners want to really learn how to be greedy, they just need to take notes from the NCAA, the BCS, and (many) University Presidents.

I hope AJ is selling jerseys like a madman.

collegeballfan

January 27th, 2011
2:40 pm

“Will Super Bowl XLV be the last NFL game we ever see?”

If so, would not bother me in the least.

And it would make college ball that much better as college players would not be leaving early, unless they just flunk out.

The more I think about it, the better a “no-NFL” world sounds.

thank you baby boomers

January 27th, 2011
2:44 pm

well, folks. yet another mess that we can attribute to that greatest of all generations (if you ask them) the baby boomers.

pete rozelle was great because he saw the need of people to work together to achieve a greater good…a common theme amongst folks of his generation. but now, in this world of narcisstic, facebooking, sack dancing youtubing selfishness, all anyone can think about is ME.

players want more money – owners want more money and yet people in this country are without jobs and struggling to make ends meet.

i for one am just going to laugh at this whole thing. a bunch of millionaires arguing over who gets the bigger slice of pie.

great timing folks. just keep staring at your belly buttons….cause guess what….when the season ticket renewals roll around and you aint playing….its gonna be even easier for joe six pack to cut yall from his payroll….and that’s who really pays the bills.

as usual, though…the baby boomers…spend more than they’ve got to try to be the biggest and bestus and then want to blame everyone else when it is bill paying time.

james

January 27th, 2011
2:59 pm

So let’s suppose the 2011 season begins October 2 and one of changes from the new CBA is an 18 game schedule effective immediately. And let’s suppose further that it is agreed that none of the September games will be cancelled, but postponed to October instead. Then, we will be looking at a March 2012 Superbowl date in New York with the NCAA Tourney starting the following week!?! Love it! Bring it on! Ha-ha!

JL

January 27th, 2011
3:06 pm

Oh, poor players who have to live week to week for their paycheck. How can they survive on the millions of dollars they made this year and in years past without making even more millions? I don’t feel bad for them if they can’t manage any sort of financial responsibility.

james

January 27th, 2011
3:07 pm

As a Gen Xer and someone who came of age in the 80’s – I agree with you wholeheartedly! The boomers are nothing but bed wetting, coolaide drinking, entitlement-seeking, still-yearning-for-Woodstocking, weed-smoking, soccer-worshiping narcissists! Where are my Izod shirts and leg warmers?

jerry

January 27th, 2011
3:09 pm

I thought the possibility of a lockout had something to do with an 18 game schedule. Did I miss that in your article?

Nate the Great

January 27th, 2011
3:12 pm

Mark,

You still are a raging idiot. I will no longer read your faux articles that are wrought with terrible ideas/rumors that you make up behind your computer. If you want to keep writing crap, please just do it for another publication, like the Taiwan Times, so I don’t have to even read your terrible headlines.

Matt

January 27th, 2011
3:12 pm

CurlyHOward- Keith Brooking made the pro bowl 5 times. If he had 40 tackles in one game his jersey for that game will go into the HOF but Brooking himself will not be enshrined there.

Memorabilia from each of the 20 perfect games in MLB are in the HOF that doesn’t mean those players are or will be enshrined there.

As of now Vick is not a HOF player. He’s a great player. He’s 30, do you see him playing until he’s 40? I would guess he has 5 more years. 21 TD for a QB in 2010 is not very impressive. He’s going to have to do better than that.

dawgfacedboy

January 27th, 2011
3:19 pm

Joe MOntana, Steve Young, Warren Moon, Tom Brady, Terry Bradshaw, John Elway, Troy Aikman, Dan Marino, Mike Vick…U kiddin me?!?!? Please. There’s plenty of solid and exciting players, doesn’t mean they are going to make the Hall.

Steve From Dalton

January 27th, 2011
3:20 pm

Millionaires vs. Billionaires- How are we to feel sorry for either one? O yea, Falcons need CB, WR2, and Pass Rusher.

Patricio

January 27th, 2011
3:21 pm

I would be okay with the NFL going out of business, just as long as the Obama-lusting ESPN goes out of business with it.

The MLB Network gives me all the sports coverage I need, minus the left-wing, politically correct agenda.

joe

January 27th, 2011
3:26 pm

Can that lock out extend to the UGA coaching staff too?

The Fallen

January 27th, 2011
3:28 pm

No work stoppage, no games missed, no training camp missed. Symbolic lock out March to May, then back to normal. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY is that stupid to kill this golden goose. If, however, they prove me wrong and they are that stupid, I hope another USFL rushes in to fill the void and capture that Sunday afternoon, male dominated, 18-50 year old demomgraphic. Any corporate sponsor that supports a competing league during a work stoppage will get a consumer for life in me.

Gen Neyland

January 27th, 2011
3:30 pm

Maybe Obama can get the player reps and a few owners to the White House for a beer…

Super Bowl 2011: Labor Stoppage Looms Over Super Bowl XLV | Football Betting

January 27th, 2011
3:31 pm

[...] it’s that time and the questions will start. Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution had a very interesting blog post on the subject where he predicts we won’t see the league unti…. I won’t go that far because negotiations are always so tough to predict. But I’ve seen [...]

Cecil34

January 27th, 2011
3:34 pm

First of all, I would have to agree with you that Goodell is not the sharpest tool in the shed – anyone who would seriously consider increasing the NFL regular season to 18 games ought to be fired – but his naivete in understanding the players leave much to be desired.

He actually went to many of the teams in pre-season and caught an earful from the players about the NFL and owners position.

And the one sentiment that came out from the players was that Goodell was not knowledgeable of their situation and did not have a good grasp of the many issues at hand.

In other words, another unqualified figure-head in charge, who has no concept of the nuances of pro football and the history of pro foootball.

The fact is that the 18 game proposal is a blatant money-grab by the owners because fans no longer want to pay full price for pre-season games.

Fact of the matter is, (especially in this age of how to effectively deal with, prevent and treat concussions) teams can’t keep players on the field at 100% for 16 games, much less 18.

And now you have a Super Bowl being played on FEBURARY 6th? Good God, the season ought to have been over with two weeks earlier.

Actually, 14 games in the regular season is plenty. PLENTY! Especially now that the NFL has multiple wild-cards.

Goodell is nothing but a tool, an owner’s grocery clerk trying to collect the player’s bill. An unqualified stooge with no credibility.

Now, young folks won’t agree with this sentiment, but anyone over 40 knows that this style of football played in the NFL now is for entertainment purposes first, and football second.

This is in no way, due to the many rules changes to make the NFL a passing league, the same type of football played in the 60’s and 70’s.

I would argue that football was better, but that is a generational issue.

Bottom line, I would rather watch college ball, and that is in no small way attributed to the lack of leadership and vision of both Tagliabue and Goodell and what they have done to the NFL.

reebok

January 27th, 2011
3:36 pm

i wouldn’t miss the NFL for a minute. i haven’t been to a Falcons game in years, but I make it to several Tech (and this year, Georgia State games) each season. College ball is far more fun to watch and attend.

who cares

January 27th, 2011
3:38 pm

Both sides are greedy and stand to loose a lot of money.Someone will come to their senses. They are not stupid!.

Gen Neyland

January 27th, 2011
3:51 pm

thank you baby boomers : Wishing you a speedy recovery from your last concussion…

JRS

January 27th, 2011
4:01 pm

Greed and selfishness will be the downfall of this country…and the world. The owners are being both greedy AND selfish.

Hillbilly Deluxe

January 27th, 2011
4:03 pm

If the owners lose so much money, why do people fall all over themselves to buy teams?

5150 P.O.A.D.

January 27th, 2011
4:16 pm

This situation remindes me of the Problems with The Sea Island Company. The company spit too much money trying to attract the SUPER RICH and the RICH were shunned and felt leftout. It kill the Cloister and the Company. The owners have made players too Rich and the average fan is getting abused. The NFL owners and Players are going to wound the cash cow if they are not careful. More average people would rather sit home and watch a few games every Sunday on TV, than spend the crazy money to take their family to a game. Thursday Night NFL games are STUPID and DANGEROUS unless both teams are coming off the bye week.

JRS
You are wrong Overpopulation is what will be the downfall of this world. We don’t have the food, water, or economies(naturla resources) to support the people now inhabiting the planet.

timbo

January 27th, 2011
4:28 pm

To me, the last football game of the season is in January with the BCS Championship game. Then it is a few weeks until pitchers/catchers report. I could care less what the NFL does. They lost me in 1987, and I still ain’t back yet (if Kenny Chesney is reading this, sorry about borrowing that line).

hbcuclassics

January 27th, 2011
4:34 pm

1. Raymond Webber 6′2, 218 WR Ark-PB
AP/FCS All-American, Walter Payton Award Finalist
led NCAA 101 rec. 1,429yds 10TDs 129.9ypg.
only receiver w/ more receptions is Jerry Rice.
Coach: Monte Coleman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozTgHYtsMN8&feature=related

Keith Strawn

January 27th, 2011
4:35 pm

Special thanks to Dontavius Supremo for sparing us the “first!!” idiocy.

No

January 27th, 2011
4:46 pm

I couldn’t care less. I stopped caring about major league professional sports years ago. The players are just overpaid bozos.

So… who gives a damn.

beebee

January 27th, 2011
4:54 pm

some of my best sundays are when I get out and exercise for hours, running under the sun, while the falcons are on tv and I’m glad I’m not sitting in a chair eating away. THEN, I clean up go back outside and enjoy the day.

People, make a commitment to you own health! Go outside, relax or play, and take the kids/family you who have them. Go cold turkey on the NFL. Does this seem like too big a “sacrifice”?

YOU and YOUR well-being are much more important than devoting YOUR time to people who have made more money than you ever will see. Live YOUR lives, people. Do no revolve and rotate, like a moon, all around other people’s lives – in this case, rich athletes.

Especially you people with health concerns – diabetes, high blood pressure, weight issues, etc.
LIVE YOUR LIFE – not in front of that tv. DISCOVER YOUR other world!

Thanks for listening!

b

hbcuclassics

January 27th, 2011
4:54 pm

HBCU Classics in the League:

1. Nick Collins S Bethune – Pro Bowl
2. Robert Mathis DE Ala AM – Pro Bowl
3. Erik Weems WR Bethune – Pro Bowl
4. Antoine Bethea S Howard
5. Jacoby Jones WR Lane
6. Donald Driver WR Alcorn
7. Rashean Mathis WR Bethune
8. Visanthe Shiancoe TE Morgan St.
9. Travaris Jackson QB Ala St.
10. Dom. Ro. Cromartie CB TN St.

Hall of Fame: Walter Payton, Jerry Rice, Doug Williams, Mean Joe Green, John Stallworth, Harry Carson, Night Train Lane, Willie Lanier, Deacon Jones, Mel Blount, John Taylor, etc.

Andy

January 27th, 2011
4:58 pm

Mark

If you are that desperate for page views why don’t you just name your next post “Mark Bradley Accused of Murder!”. The story would be about your lack of accuracy on your picks.

5150 P.O.A.D.

January 27th, 2011
5:11 pm

I can’t shed a tear for a player like Stafford. He was #1 & the highest ever paid. Since signing he has played in 13 games out of 32. Rookie Players should get 3yr. Contracts and a Minimum pay scale per Draft Round. All NFL teams should have a real salary cap that is Simple and Straight foward. Maybe each team has to donate a min. of 15% of profit to Players Union.

CurlyHoward

January 27th, 2011
5:18 pm

Mark Bradley: to answer your question of your article, no I dont think superbowl XLV will be the last superbowl, but the matchup is one of this years “most compelling” with the Packers pitted against the Steelers. Story lines are, should the Steelers win, Big Ben attempting to join Troy Aikman, Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana and Tom Brady as 3-time superbowl winning quarterbacks; and the story line for the packers is that should the Packers win we will realize now that BRETT FARVE SHOULD HAVE BEEN TURNED AWAY IN GREEN BAY after waffling back and forth from being in and out of retirment. Brett should not have continued to play in Green Bay because Aaron Rodgers will have proven with a superbowl victory to be a worthy and superlative SUCCESSOR TO THE GREAT BRETT FARVE. This matchup appears to be one of the best superbowls in recent years. I think it will go into overtime, but I think the Packers will prevail. If there is a lockout at least we will have gotten in this great superbowl in before a potential lockout becomes a reality.

kral

January 27th, 2011
5:23 pm

No markie, I would not apologize for that headline to my story, reminds me of all those mag.. HL I see as I check-out at the grocery store….

JASon

January 27th, 2011
5:33 pm

“These owners want, shock of shocks, to share less revenue.”

Mark, we all know the reason for the disagreement. It would be nice to see you give an opinion on the matter. Why is it ok for the owners to get more money, considering no one forced them to build a new stadium…considering no one forced them to start the nfl network. The nfl was never meant to be a profitable venture for owners- that is why the packers do not have one. You will notice that the packers never built a new stadium. How are they doing, by the way?

Dooner

January 27th, 2011
5:36 pm

What do you suggest? Become like baseball? Their salaries are a joke, which is the main reason behind high ticket prices. Baseball at one time was cheap.

Mark Bradley

January 27th, 2011
5:37 pm

Never in a million years would I suggest any sport become like baseball. Never, I say.

Najeh Davenpoop

January 27th, 2011
6:02 pm

Roger Goodell is a damn idiot. There is exactly one thing wrong with the current system, and that is the lack of a rookie pay scale. Everything else — the 16 game schedule, the percentage of revenues received by the players, player salaries in general, etc. — is working just fine for both sides. In fact if anything the current system overly favors the owners by allowing them to cut players and assume little to no long term responsibility for negotiating a bad contract with a player. The NFL is not the NBA where there are several franchises that are legitimately struggling to make money. Everyone in the NFL is getting paid and the owners are getting billions of dollars from the TV networks whether or not games are actually played. It is absolutely ridiculous for the owners to initiate a lockout in this situation, when attendance and TV ratings are at an all time high, and the only thing more ridiculous is that there are actually people blaming the players in this scenario.

Najeh Davenpoop

January 27th, 2011
6:09 pm

“The fact of the matter is, the CBA Tags forced on the owners was a bad deal. In no other league do the players get that much revenue.”

What in the world are you talking about? You do realize that the owners are getting over $2 billion from the TV networks whether or not games are played, right?

The NFL CBA is more owner-friendly than any other pro sport’s CBA. No other league allows owners to cut players and be off the hook for the remainder of their salary. Every other league has franchises that are legitimately struggling to make money; the NFL doesn’t, because profits are soaring, revenue sharing ensures that all the owners get paid, and teams can hand out bad contracts like candy knowing that they can cut a player with no repercussions if he doesn’t work out.

The only thing wrong with the current system is that there is no rookie salary scale. All they have to do is institute a rookie salary scale, leave the rest alone, and everyone will be fine. It is quite simply a greedy power grab by the owners to basically try to get two free games out of the players, and Roger Goodell is a damn idiot for allowing this to happen on his watch.

Najeh Davenpoop

January 27th, 2011
6:11 pm

And I agree with Andy at 4:58. The headline is ridiculous and everyone knows it. No way either side is dumb enough to allow this lockout to last into next season, considering that attendance and TV ratings are at an all time high.

Najeh Davenpoop

January 27th, 2011
6:22 pm

“What would happen if a sizeable chunk of the NFLPA brethren migrated to the CFL for a year?”

More likely that they move to the UFL if the lockout lasts that long. The whole reason the UFL was created was to provide an alternative to the NFL in the event of a lockout.

The stars would find spots in the UFL, but the special teamers and role players would be screwed.

Najeh Davenpoop

January 27th, 2011
6:25 pm

“Vick absolutely is a HOF quarterback.”

I’m about as consistent a Vick fan as there is on any of these blogs, and even I wouldn’t go that far. Vick needs a few more seasons like this one and at least one or two Super Bowl appearances to have a legitimate shot at the Hall of Fame.

PTC DAWG

January 27th, 2011
6:32 pm

Not by a long shot…silly headline.

ATL FAN

January 27th, 2011
6:34 pm

wtf is up with the title??

Tired of nonsense

January 27th, 2011
6:49 pm

Goodell is a stooge for owners .. Super Bowl in New York next year ? I hope not. Let them all suffer as we will survive and thrive !

Sports Review

January 27th, 2011
6:51 pm

[...] if there's no labor settlement until …Washington Post (blog)The Associated Press -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 834 news [...]

Dirty Jacket

January 27th, 2011
6:59 pm

Dramatic, overblown title by Bark Bradley. Shocker. AJC’s Diva!

fitzgerald

January 27th, 2011
7:08 pm

Why would the players and their players association be worried about health care? Don’t they know that they can apply for Obamacare and get everything they want? If not now, stay on strike until 2014 and sign on the dotted line. Just wondering.

Sports Review

January 27th, 2011
7:15 pm

[...] if there's no labor settlement until …Washington Post (blog)The Associated Press -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 832 news [...]

Delbert D.

January 27th, 2011
7:23 pm

A 2-year shutdown of the NFL wouldn’t be a bad thing. It would give plenty of time for the owners, the players, the sponsors and the broadcast empires to decide what is really important and then reboot the pro football system. Hey, it’s only entertainment.

Will Super Bowl XLV be the last NFL game we ever see?

January 27th, 2011
7:43 pm

[...] last pro football game we ever see, but it will be the last we see until October. By Mark Bradley Will Super Bowl XLV be the last NFL game we ever see? | Mark Bradley Follow GamblingIQ on Twitter @GamblingIQ Follow GamblingIQ on Facebook Starting December 1, [...]

Dave McCracken

January 27th, 2011
7:51 pm

Could we be so lucky???????

JSS

January 27th, 2011
8:29 pm

“No way either side is dumb enough to allow this lockout to last into next season, considering that attendance and TV ratings are at an all time high.”

Gotta disagree, the owners are just that stupid! 1. They opted out of a sweetheart deal, they’ve had the players by the short hairs since 1987. 2. They let morons like Arthur Blank and Al Davis make ridiculous rookie deals like those paid to JaMarcus Russell and Matt Ryan… 3. They beg poverty when purposing “public funded” stadium deals where they are the chief financial beneficent without truly vesting any risk! Only Wall Street has shown that type of gull!

@ Davenpoop…
Thanks for taking care of the “Willie Martinez blogger.” He has no clue!

JSS

January 27th, 2011
8:30 pm

@ Mark Bradley…
Please check your pesky filter again… Thanks

Bob

January 27th, 2011
8:34 pm

What a bunch of pwetty cwy babies. Unions suck, and these players show how stupid they to be duped by them. Too many knocks in the head I guess.

I couldn’t care less if the players stay home and don’t play another down of pro football.

JSS

January 27th, 2011
8:44 pm

Well Vick would have to “win two Super Bowls” and play lights out in those games. He’d also have to have 4 or 5 90% plus QB ratings seasons. And if (its big if) he can put together 2 or 3 years where he plays all 16 games. Then he would have the credentials, but Michael Vick has the “Pete Rose Issue.” That means he would have to stand in front of a bullet with a group of children behind him… That’s not realistic, and they have unrealistic expectations of a man…

Chris Jackson

January 27th, 2011
8:47 pm

I guarantee there won’t be a season next year Mark Bradley i a stupid jackass and doesn’t deserve any credibility The owners will show these moronic jailbird jerks who runs thing NO FOOTBALL IN 2011 Baseball will have labor peace but football and basketball has to many blacks running things!!! if the blacks can ruin our nation they candamn sure ruin football and basketball guaranteed watch how baseball does things and how white people negotiate!!!

Castle Pines Canine

January 27th, 2011
9:04 pm

Here is how you solve the problem. Put Saban and Cheatzick in charge of player negotiations. Let Cecil Newont be in charge of Salary negotiattions, and then the players will get what they want, the fans will get to watch teams go undefeathed, and they can leave Bama and Auburn and not have to lose money.

Dudley Dooright

January 27th, 2011
9:14 pm

Screw the NFL…….everyone watch college football and root for the best…..UT VOLS!!!!!

JSS

January 27th, 2011
9:27 pm

“What would happen if a sizeable chunk of the NFLPA brethren migrated to the CFL for a year?”

The CFL has a limit on the number of Americans who can play in the league… So they would just put other American players out of work… Oh, but that would be appealing to the CFL how?

bro

January 27th, 2011
9:47 pm

wHO REALLY CARES. THE OWNERS HAVE MONEY AND THEY WILL CRY ABOUT THE LOCKOUT COSTS THEM AND TAKE IT OFF THEIR TAXES –REVENUE LOST WHEN THEY ALWAYS CRY THAT THEY DON’T MAKE ANY MONEY DURING THE REGULAR SEASON.
EIGHTEEN GAMES IS JUST ANOTHER METHOD TO GET RICHER AND ANOTHER MEANS TO UNDERSTATE THEIR PROFITS. A REALLY GOOD FAN BOYCOTT WILLSERVETHEM BOTH RIGHT. I BET SOME OF YOUR EARLY OUT GUYS WISH YOU HAD STAYED IN SCHOOL AND GOTTEN THAN DEGREE–NA THERE ARE NO JOBS OUT IN THE REAL WORLD FOR THOSE THAT REALLY NEED THEM. YOU PAMPARED POODLES WILL GET A JOB FORM SOME IGNORENT FOOL WHO CAN’T AFFORD TO HIRE A REAL PERSON IN NEED.
FANS BOYCOTT FANS BOYCOTT FANS BOYCOTT FANS BOYCOTT FANS BOYCOTT

jarvis

January 27th, 2011
10:13 pm

“I don’t like Mark Bradley. He’s strange.”
–Chris Dimino at about 8 AM this morning on air.

Playoffs? U kiddin' me?

January 28th, 2011
8:13 am

Look, even if they only play three or four games next year, the Falcons will lose all of them. After the lopsided playoff loss to the Pack, the Falcons have been mathematically eliminated from being in the playoffs next year. The Falcons cheerleaders have been banned from the pages of Playboy, Penthouse, Hustler and Playgirl2, (darn).

BUT, (insert emoticon pointed to his own rear end), we should just start the season in December for the playoffs only. Just let last year’s teams (minus the Falcons, of course), duke it out again. It will be fun, must see tv and the rarity will push the commercial time value up to astronomical heights.

OT: Check out Michele in the Philadelphia Eagles’ Cheerleader Home page. OMG! a babe 4 the ages. no kidding. Check out Michele.

D man

January 28th, 2011
8:38 am

I remember the scab games. That was interesting… A lockout will hurt the NFL…

D man

January 28th, 2011
8:47 am

Our offense is fine as it is. We were 5th overall In points scored this season. We need help on Defense. Get a free agent CB and DE and we will go all the way next year…

ET

January 28th, 2011
8:48 am

Several things here. First, the owners are just that… owners. When I work for a company the owners decide what they want to pay the employees. If I didn’t want to work for that amount, then I could go do something else. If the players don’t want to make millions to play a game then I suggest they get a real job like the rest of us. It is hard to feel sorry for some one getting paid 5 million to play football when I will never see that much money in my whole life.

Secondly, it is hard to feel sorry for the owners, because they are the ones who keep bidding up the prices being paid for the best players. If they had not offered 5 million for a player, then they wouldn’t need to be saved from themselves. Both sides are spoiled millionaires and need to spend a few years in the real world working a real job and getting paid peanuts. Then they will know that they have nothing to complain about. Neither the players nor the owners are victims here…we, the fans, are the victims in all of this.

D man

January 28th, 2011
8:49 am

I wish we had the BCS system in the NFL. It would be the Falcons playing the Patriots in the Superbowl. The pack would be playing the steelers in the rose bowl… Just goes to show you how messed up the BCS is…

Never will be convinced.

January 28th, 2011
9:10 am

Will never convince me that the players are not replaceable at a whole lot less. Payton Manning has 1 Super Bowl to his name and NO national championships. Hell, TN won it with the nobody black QB.

Translation: Great equals 1 SB/NC in what 14 years or so? The SB against New Orleans was his to win and guess what. Choke interception.

Brady was a nobody at Michigan. Look how many wins and Super Bowls he has.

Translation: A lot of nobodys are waiting for their chance to shine. What’s his name that won it with the Rams. A nobody from the farm league or whatever and has as many SBs as Manning.

CurlyHoward

January 28th, 2011
10:19 am

Najeh Davenpoop: OK. I will explain to everyone why I said “Vick absolutely is a HOF quarterback”. I DIDNT mean it in the literal sense that Vick has accumulated the credentials and earned a berth in the HOF. I DIDNT MEAN THAT AT ALL. Vick has done NOTHING to get himself enshrined in the HOF. What I meant by that is that when Vick came into the league as a great talent years ago and when he started honing his skills and talents with the Falcons, Vick had all the makings of a HOF quarterback. The problem is that Vick was not a student of the game, he didnt respect the game and all the players who came before him to give him the great opportunity that he had. When Vick was a qb in Atlanta, Vick wouldnt, and didnt dedicate himself to being the best, so vicks talents were never developed and subsequently declined and he was just considered a “flash in the plan” having no chance to have a great career. What Vick has done this season in Philly has been nothing short of phenominal, taking into account that in the two years preceding his stint in Philly, Vick was under lock and key in a Federal Penitentiary. For most talents, their careers would have been over, but Vick was so talented he was able to recapture his skills and expand them to the point where he is now one of the best quarterbacks in the game. For Vick to be mentioned in the same breath with Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Brett Farve is phenominal taking into account that it took Vick only two years returned from prison to be mentioned in the conversation for the league MVP. If Vick never takes another snap from center, all of us will have been better off seeing the GREAT MIKE VICK PERFORM FOOTBALL IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE. It has been a joy to watch that man work and he is a thrilling talent that could have been great had he started his work ethic when he came into the league with Atlanta, the way his work ethic has been in Philly. Like Vick or not most will admit they have never seen a talent like the GREAT MIKE VICK.

J.C. from N GA

January 28th, 2011
10:36 am

The problem is people making a million-plus per year don’t need a union!! they should try living in the “real world” for awhile, then they would realize just how good they have it.

MustangSalley

January 28th, 2011
10:55 am

THE PEOPLE WHO ARE “BASHING” PEYTON MANNING FOR WINNING ONLY 1 SUPERBOWL, GO PUT IN A CALL TO DAN MARINO AND ASK DAN IF HE WOULD TRADE HIS ENTIRE FABULOUS CAREER TO JUST HAVE ONE SUPERBOWL RING AND SEE WHAT DAN WOULD SAY. DAN WOULD GLADLY TRADE PLACES WITH PEYTON BECUASE THE RING THAT PEYTON HAS WILL STAY WITH HIM FOR THE DURATION OF HIS LIFE. IF YOU FAILED TO GET A RING DURING YOUR PLAYING DAYS YOU CANT GO BACK AND COME OUT OF RETIRMENT AND TRY AGAIN. THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN DO THAT IS BRETT FARVE. BUT OTHER THAN FARVE, MOST PEOPLE JUST CALL IT A CAREER ONCE ITS TOO LATE AND THEIR SKILLS HAVE ERODED.

NFL Lockout: Will We Have Football Next Season? – Bleacher Report | Bet 31

January 28th, 2011
11:05 am

[...] Football Game Is One Being Played in Washington, DCHuffington Post (blog)Larry Brown Sports -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Reutersall 554 news [...]

BoregardClayton

January 28th, 2011
12:03 pm

Should the NFL players LOCKOUT they are the most stupid people in the world. They are all millionaiires and cannot compromise to come to an agreement. I personally DONT CARE IF ALL SPORTS GO AWAY. As long as there is a PGA tour where Tiger Woods can break Jack Nicolas’ record of 18 majors, thats all I want to see anyway.

GTSteve

January 28th, 2011
3:20 pm

Why would you want a cheater to break the record of a legitimate Legend

BeetleBailey

January 28th, 2011
5:25 pm

I THINK IS AN ABSOLUTE JOKE AND AN ABSOLUTE ABONITATION UNDER GOD THAT MIKE VICK WAS NOT AT THE VERY LEAST VOTED “NFL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE MONTH” WITH VICK’S INCREDIBLE, STUPENDOUS, SPECTACULAR SEASON THAT HE HAD. ITS AN OUTRIGHT SHAME THAT THE LEAGUE STILL LOOKS AT HIM AS A “CHAMPION DOGFIGHTER” INSTEAD OF AN NFL SUPERSTAR STARTING QUARTERBACK. ROGER GODDELL SHOULD DO AN INVESTIGATION AS TO WHY VICK DID NOT WIN AT LEAST NFL PLAYER OF THE WEEK THIS PAST YEAR. ITS AN OUTRIGHT CRYING SHAME AND I HOPE THE NFL STRIKES TO NEVER RETURN BECAUSE OF ITS UNFAIR, PREJUDICE, HATEFUL ATTITUDE TOWARDS MIKE VICK.

jessicasimpson

January 28th, 2011
10:02 pm

um, yeah. I think we get a shortened season next year. Does a 16-team Super Bowl tournament sound familiar?

Never will be convinced.

January 29th, 2011
1:31 am

WHO LOST THE LAST GAME FOR PHILLY. Who made the stupid decision and greedy (his own words). Vick ended the season for Philly with his interception. How fitting.

I said it from day 1. Once the teams had enough game films, he would not be the same. Guess what.

His avg QB ratings for games 1-5 was 103. LOL, his avg for game 13-18 was 89. And oh by the way, Vick’s 3 game injury occurred when he was where, behind his line, or out doing what the bread man does. Exactly, his decision to run past his protection could have cost Philly a playoff chance but Kolb won 2 of the 3 games.

ShempHoward

January 29th, 2011
1:52 pm

Of course, we all know that Mike Vick LOST THE GAME FOR THE EAGLES against the Packers. We all know that!!. What my beef has been about since the year began is that between Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers, Brett Farve, Aaron Rodgers and Mike Vick (THE ELITE QUARTERBACKS OF THE LEAGUE), Mike Vick OUTPERFORMED ALL OF THEM FROM ABOUT WEEK 4 THROUGH WEEK 10, roughly about six weeks. Yet, there wasnt ANY sportswriter in America that was ready to vote Vick in as player of the week, because every time they got ready to cast their ballots, they would have flashbacks and nightmares of Vick torchering, electrocuting, drowning and mutilating dogs for many years undetected AND they also have this vision of Vick maybe hammering a rock pile in Leavenworth Prison and therefore could not find it in their hearts to vote the guy for an honor he richly deserved. I heard Michael Irving say on NFL Network earlier this season when Vick was playing great, that he thought that Vick should get a new contract with the eagles and Vick should be paid the HIGHEST SALARY IN THE LEAGUE. I dont agree with that because Vick has been down that road before. I realize that Irving is not a reliable source himself since his life has been marred with lawless behavior and skirmishes with the law and the police departments himself, mostly during his playing days with the Cowboys. All Im saying is that if Vick were to LEAD THE LEAGUE IN TOUCHDOWN PASSES (60), THROW FOR 6000 YARDS; RUSH FOR 1500 YARDS IN A SEASON AND FINISH WITH THE HIGHEST QB RATING IN THE LEAGUE (A PERFECT SCORE OF 158.3), Vick would still be ignored and cast aside as if he did nothing. Whomever was in second place with overall quarterback stats would probably win the MVP award because there is a consensus out there that Vick will not handed any awards unless it is DOGFIGHTERS OF AMERICA award. Its sad but its true.

Jimmy

January 29th, 2011
9:06 pm

I don’t have a lot of sympathy for either side.
If they can’t work this out and avoid a work stoppage–they are losers.
As much as I love football, I don’t think I’ll be watching next year if don’t work it out before the start of the season.

Shut Down

January 30th, 2011
9:17 pm

Shut the league down for a year. The players will be out one year of salary they will never get back. The owners are billionaires, control the team rights, facilities, contracts for vendors, etc. They hold all the cards. Let the players realize that playing a game for a few months for millions is a gold mine—they will come whimpering back begging to play again, at the owners’ terms. Leverage—the owners have it, the players don’t—very simple.

Plantation Model

January 30th, 2011
9:20 pm

Most of the nfl players are African-American—this is just another way for all the rich white owners to keep control and keep the players down, like an old plantation. The government should step in and take over the teams and let more African Americans own part. They are getting victimized by the white ruling class in sports.

Never will be convinced.

January 31st, 2011
2:21 am

Oh, how unbelievable. News says Philly wants to make Mike the franchise QB. Say what! Did they not learn anything with the last QB they had. I love it because Fat Man Andy is such a let down. How many times had Philly phizzled under his reign.

Well, at least Vick’s creditors will get paid.

Father Time

January 31st, 2011
6:51 am

Plantation Model,

Were it not for the white men rounding your dumb butts up in Africa (wrong thing to do, by the way) and shipping you over here you would have never enjoyed all the riches you have experienced since all of those white men died in the civil war to free your dumb butts (right thing to do, by the way).

You’d still be in Africa, the most impoverished, primitive, lowest form of human intelligence on the planet and, in some tribes, still trying to eat each other! :-o !

Now, tell, which is better? Ask Oprah!

RON CHOKE MEXICO

January 31st, 2011
10:59 am

CurlyHoward,

Packers beat the Eagles the week before they beat the falcons with vick throwing an int to end the game and you’re suggesting the falcons trade ryan for vick? keep living in your dreanworld.

RON CHOKE MEXICO

January 31st, 2011
11:03 am

I think lockout does happen, but will be settled in time for use to have a shorter season, say maybe 12-14 games.

CurlyHoward

January 31st, 2011
11:58 am

I dont care that Matty had a great pro bowl game notwithstanding. Matt Ryan still stinks if you compare him to the great mike vick, there is abolutely no comparison there. over the weekend the eagles slapped the franshise tag on mike vick which means that Vick will be among the top 5 highest paid quarterbacks next year and rightfully so because he should be. Matt Ryan is a “WANNABE QB” who will never make it in the association. Ryan was comfortable in the pro bowl but got completely shut down against the packers in the playoffs. Even if the packers win the superbowl, I still think the Falcons could have beaten the packers and won the superbowl themselves if they #1:played with confidence, #2:opened up the offense to a more wide-open style, and #3:played with reckless abandon on defense. Yeah I said it, I think the Falcons should try and reclaim their prodigal son (mike vick) and trade ryan for vick straight up so that vick can come back to the georgia dome and take his rightful place as the person who built up the dome from the ground up.

Time to Strike!

January 31st, 2011
1:17 pm

the players need to quit putting up with these greedy, rich owners not giving them what they want and go on a long strike. After a year or two, the owners will be back to the bargaining table and give the players a lot more cash. These players are the game and the owners need to recognize that and pay them what they want.

DudleyDoright

January 31st, 2011
2:11 pm

I HOPE THERE IS A LONG STRIKE, SAY MAYBE 50 YEARS SO WE WONT HAVE TO WASTE OUR TIME WATCHING SUCH A BRUTAL, MEANINGLESS GAME. THE GREEDY RICH OWNERS AND PLAYERS DONT REALIZE HOW GOOD THEY HAVE IT AND INSTEAD OF COMING TO THE TABLE AND HAMMERING OUT A DEAL, THEY PREFER TO WALK AWAY TO SEE WHO CAN HOLD OUT LONGER. ITS RIDICULOUS.

LukeWalton

January 31st, 2011
4:36 pm

I realize the players want a lot more cash, most of it as UP FRONT CASH to start out their HUGH CONTRACTS. It cant happen, It wont happen under the Obama regime. I heard someone say yesterday when Ronald Reagan was president there was Bob Hope and Johnny Cash. Under the current Barack Obama administration, there is NO HOPE and NO CASH.

John Littleton

January 31st, 2011
5:42 pm

I think the players and the owners are both holding up the fans. A player only has so many years at the very high salary it will hurt them to hold out for a long time. The owners sit on the side line or in their boxes and act like they love the players, but when it comes to making money that when the admiration stops. If you look at the injury list each week for every NFL team you will see why the players don’t want to go to 18 games. The next thing you know it will be like professional basketball they will have a season after a season at higher prices. It Jones is fault he built a stadium in his honor if his team loses then he is lost. The economics of the NFL is in the vaule of each team as it increases for the owner.

nes

January 31st, 2011
9:43 pm

They will do like Baseball, a strike shortened season! Then the owners and players will expect all of us football fans to just open up our arms and wallets and welcome them back! laughs! what a wicked game the NFL is toying with.

Lucious Vanderglee

January 31st, 2011
10:14 pm

A good omen? The Falcons’ 2010 season began and ended with losses to the two participants in Super Bowl XLV.

Main Line

February 1st, 2011
1:20 pm

The owners will settle the deal with a few extra million to the players–no big deal–that’s pocket change.

JuliusCesaer

February 1st, 2011
2:25 pm

Roger Goddell is a great commissioner, perhaps the best commissioner in the four major sports. Goddell recently said he would reduce his salary down from 10 million per year down to just a measly $1.00 per year than to stay at $10 mil and watch a strike occur. What a great guy and a wise, shrewd, genius, businessman we have as our commish.

Matt "Choke" Ryan

February 1st, 2011
4:37 pm

I kept telling all of you that Vick would be a better quarterback than that choke artist. Everyone kept saying “Ice” is one of the best young qbs in the game, both him and Flaco. Now who would you prefer as your starting quarterback…The Ice Choker who kept throwing picks as though they were commonplace in that aweful 48-21 beatdown by the Packers; OR Michael Vick who was recently slapped the franchise tag by the Eagles which will make him one of the TOP 5 PAID QUARTERBACKS IN THE GAME NEXT SEASON. You make the choice who you think is better. I know who is. #7.

SpencerTracy

February 1st, 2011
5:03 pm

Great blog…matt choke. Ive been saying all along that ACE would be better than ICE ANY DAY OF THE WEEK, WHEN ACE CAME OUT OF THAT LEAVENWORTH PENITENTIARY…I KNEW IT WOULD BE JUST A MATTER OF TIME.

JewelNelson

February 1st, 2011
5:29 pm

I COULDNT BELIEVE MY EYES AFTER WATCHING AARON ROGERS COMPLETELY DESTROY THE FALCONS 48-21 IN THE DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF GAME AT THE GEORGIA DOME LAST SATURDAY NIGHT. WITNESSING THAT INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE MADE ME BELIEVE THAT THE MVP SHOULD HAVE COME FROM GREEN BAY. THE RACE FOR THE MVP SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETWEEN VICK AND BRADY. AARON RODGERS IS BETTER THAN EITHER OR BOTH OF THOSE TWO CLOWNS. AARON ROGERS IS THE BEST MARKSMAN AT THE QUARTERBACK POSITION THAT I HAVE EVER WITNESSED OUTSIDE OF DAN MARINO. DAN OF COURSE WAS THE MAN AND IN MY MIND IS THE BEST. BUT RODGERS IS NOW THE GREATEST QB SINCE DAN MARINO RETIRED. NO DISRESPECT TO PAYTON MANNING, NO DISRESPECT TO DREW BREES, NO DISRESPECT TO TOM BRADY. RODGERS IS BETTER THAN ALL OF THEM. THINK ABOUT IT. RODGERS WAS SO GOOD THAT HE WAS ABLE TO FORCE THE RETIREMENT OF BRETT FARVE. IF ANYONE IS GOOD ENOUGH TO SIT FARVE DOWN THEN THEY MUST BE PRETTY DARN GOOD. AARON ROGERS IS MORE THAN GOOD. HE IS A MACHINE AT THE QUARTERBACK POSITION. HE THROWS THE BALL LIKE DAN MARINO AND HE RUNS AND ESCAPES ALMOST AS GOOD AS MIKE VICK. THAT COMBINATION IS JUST UNBELIEVABLE TO ME AND NO ONE ELSE CAN PERFORM LIKE HIM. PERIOD. AARON ROGERS IS YOUR 2010 NFL MVP. NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

dawg4u

February 2nd, 2011
8:35 pm

I hope that the whole season is lost next year even though I am a big NFL fan since the sixties.
I would be interested to see what all of us huge football fans do to offset the loss of football. I have a feeling that a lot of us would get up off the couch and actually start getting in semi-good shape. We have become a society of cheerleaders rooting for whatever team and ignoring our own interests including health or other concerns. It is almost like a person who has been drinking for years and then stops due to health concerns and then realizes that he should have quit years ago. That may be a bad analogy but I think the point is that a football stoppage would force each one of us into an alternate lifestyle which may get us off the couch and make us start moving and doing other things again. I think it could prove to be a welcome change although rather difficult at first. Just an opinion.