Archive for the ‘Lockout News’ Category
Joint NFL-NFLPA Statement on 8th Circuit Ruling
NFL-NFLPA Joint Statement
While we respect the court’s decision, today’s ruling does not change our mutual recognition that this matter must be resolved through negotiation. We are committed to our current discussions and reaching a fair agreement that will benefit all parties for years to come, and allow for a full 2011 season.
Field of Dreams 2: NFL Lockout (Video)
Frustrated by the ongoing owner-imposed lockout, several NFL players and Hollywood stars recently teamed up with Funny or Die to release a fictional trailer called “Field of Dreams 2: NFL Lockout.”
In the video, Taylor Lautner plays a farmer hearing voices in his head that convince him to build a football field on his land. Once the field is completed, locked out NFL players such as Tony Gonzalez, Ray Lewis, Dwight Freeney, DeSean Jackson, Antonio Cromartie, Shaun Phillips, Steve Smith, Kirk Morrison and Shawne Merriman show up to play the game they love.
Ray Liotta, who starred as Shoeless Joe Jackson in the original “Field of Dreams,” makes an appearance in the trailer playing the role of Roger Goodell. Kevin Costner makes a cameo at the end of the video.
Statements from Smith and Goodell Following Meetings
NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made the following statements after today’s meeting:
Smith: “Someone asked me whether I was optimistic. I think we’re both optimistic when we have the right people in the room. We know we’re talking about the right issues and that we’re working hard to get it done. It is extremely complicated, it requires a lot of hard work by a lot of people, but we’re committed to getting something done and we’re going to keep working at it. Just to wrap up: we’re working hard, we understand the fans’ frustration, I know our players’ frustration. We’re going to keep working hard and try to make sure we get a deal done.”
Goodell: “You obviously know we met over the last couple of days. We are under court order as far as what we can discuss so our comments will be brief. But obviously we’re all working hard. The players and owners were here over the last two days. De and I were here for the entire meetings also. And it’s complicated and it’s complex, but we’re working hard and we understand the fans’ frustration. But I think both of us feel strongly that we’re going to continue to work hard at it.”
Joint NFL-NFLPA Statement On This Week’s Meetings
“Discussions between NFL owners and players under the auspices of Chief Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan took place again this week and will continue. At the request of Judge Boylan, both sides have agreed to maintain the confidentiality of the substance of the talks.”
Representing players at the talks: DeMaurice Smith, Kevin Mawae, Domonique Foxworth, Tony Richardson, Jeff Saturday and Brian Waters.
Steve Breaston Gives His Two Cents in Lockout Poem
Steve Breaston, a five-year NFL veteran, is a man of many talents, and poetry is certainly one of them. This week, Breaston went public with a lockout poem he wrote and placed on YouTube. The poem is called “A League Deferred.”
Breaston discusses why he wrote the poem and explains some of the messages behind this unique project in an exclusive interview with ProPlayerInsiders.com. Read the Breaston story here.
Joint NFL-NFLPA Statement
“NFL owners and players continue to be engaged in confidential discussions before Chief Magistrate Judge Boylan. Both sides met again this week as part of ongoing court mediation. Those discussions are expected to continue.”
Representing players at the talks: DeMaurice Smith, Kevin Mawae, Jeff Saturday, Mike Vrabel, Tony Richardson and Domonique Foxworth.
Players Working Hard Despite Owner-Imposed Lockout
Players aren’t allowed to use team facilities or contact coaches during the owner-imposed lockout , so they’ve found their own ways to stay in shape and get ready for football. In recent weeks, many veterans have organized player-only workouts with teammates despite the injury risks that loom over these informal workouts. The player-led workouts have focused on conditioning, technique drills and some non-contact work on formations and plays.
ProPlayerInsiders.com caught up with several players to talk about the importance of the player workouts: