The NFL lockout ends. What the heck was THAT all about?
"Can't somebody lock us out again?" (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The Associated Press is reporting that the NFL lockout is over, and I believe I speak for the masses when I say …
Lockout? There was a lockout?
I have to admit I’m a little disappointed. If you’re going to stage a work stoppage, you should at least stop some meaningful work. (Yes, I’m a slacker at heart.) The only NFL game that will be skipped is the annual exhibition in Canton, Ohio, which is no big deal for anyone outside of Canton, Ohio.
There’s still going to be free agency. (Breaking news! The Falcons just signed Bubba Smith! Ha, made you look!) There’s still going to be a training camp. There will still be four preseason games for all teams, which are 3 3/4 too many.
Mike Smith still won’t say anything very interesting. (This by design.) Thomas Dimitroff will still say many interesting things. (Can’t help himself.) Arthur Blank will shake many hands. (Can’t help himself.) Mike Mularkey will still call for Michael Turner to run outside on second-and-9. (Ditto.) Business will, in sum, go on as usual.
And I guess that’s a good thing. But I’m kind of a contrarian: I enjoy the occasional break in routine. You don’t have to go so far as canceling a World Series or staging games with replacement players, but it’s kind of nice to see something skipped. Instead a lockout has just ended without anyone even working up a good fit of pique. In my view, that’s unacceptable.
I suggest all concerned try again next year. And at least make the stoppage last into August. Ever stood on the field during training camp? It’s hot out there.
By Mark Bradley
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66 comments Add your comment
Mike
July 25th, 2011
5:24 pm
It’s sad that so many people really care about grown men getting overpaid to play a kids game.
Bob
July 25th, 2011
5:29 pm
Who cares! The Falcons will be pretenders again, as are the Braves. I’m ready for college football. Does UGA draw more fans in 7 home games than the Braves in 81 home games?
realist
July 25th, 2011
6:23 pm
I love the fan lockout concept. These people in pro football are unaware of any real world issues, but maybe if the fans decided to boycott ALL the preseason games, or wait…. the first game of the season, they could learn a little. Arguing over BILLIONs of dollars in revenue while jacking the prices to joe-fan is unconscionable (means no idea of right and wrong). But alas, Joe Fan is indeed dumb as a rock with a charge card. They will all show up, spend 200$ a game, complain about prices, and come back again. De-evolution at its finest!
realist
July 25th, 2011
6:29 pm
and then there is Bob, who points out that the falcons and braves can not win a title (after all they are only business and only required to be competitive) yet he wonders about the greatness of uga and all the rubes on that 3 wheel bandwagon.
realist
July 25th, 2011
6:33 pm
more people care about this nfl lockout settlement then the nations debt crisis, Is it any wonder we are the worlds punch line….
Players vote to OK deal to end NFL lockout : Gambling Poker Blog
July 25th, 2011
6:41 pm
[...] The NFL lockout ends. What the heck was THAT all about? [...]
dawg4u
July 25th, 2011
7:15 pm
Mark I have to agree with you. I have been a pro football fan since my youth and remember the opening kickoff of the Falcon’s first game against the LA Rams and the kicker actually missed the football. I have been a diehard fan ever since but have to admit that I was hoping that maybe we would get a much longer lockout and work stoppage. It went against my inclination to get the season started and see if the Falcons could continue to improve. I was hoping the players would finally take a stand and say “It’s not about the money this time – things need to change and we are taking a stand come hell or high water.” But we all know this would happen even when Demaurice Smith acted indignant about the owners saying, “we thought we had a deal.” Heck they knew they had a deal Friday.
YellowJacket
July 25th, 2011
7:15 pm
Just in case the NCAA isn’t clear on our position. Yes we are going to appeal. Whether we win or lose, you still suck. Please factor than into your decision.
Dory Funk@ realist
July 25th, 2011
7:30 pm
I needed that laugh…great post..!! u r correct
Dory Funk@ realist
July 25th, 2011
7:32 pm
ur 6:33 post..it was short, to the point.and not inflammotory
Delbert D.
July 25th, 2011
7:32 pm
Hopes for a CFL media windfall are officially dashed.
BirdDawg24
July 25th, 2011
7:52 pm
they should have taken the season off ,take time to reflect on whats important,take a few more vacations to the bahamas.play a few more rounds of golf. i know its tough but somebodys gotta do it.
Warm Springs, Georgia
July 25th, 2011
8:34 pm
That was all about people not living in the real world.
Coach Saban = Loser
July 25th, 2011
10:00 pm
@ the earlier comment: too bad he just couldn’t cut it where it counts…
” around the bowl and into the hole, roll tide roll”
Whit
July 26th, 2011
8:56 am
Bronco we didn’t read it. You could tell by his titles that the articles he writes will be childish. The problem is most of the other writers aren’t much better.
palm beach gardens dentist
August 1st, 2011
2:12 pm
Since when do they fork out for their stadiums?