MVP Brees Paying for Saints to Practice

[SuperHornet]

Drew Brees is spending 5 figures to get his teammates, including those not under contract, together at Tulane for mando workouts. Is this violating the lockout? Does anyone give a rip? The article suggests that things like this give the players the moral high ground in this battle, especially since the owners and the commissioner are doing nothing except write insensitive op-ed pieces and insulting players.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdo ... nfl-wp1862

Goodell's op-ed: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 26626.html

Per Cardinals' player rep Jay Feely, Panthers' owner Jerry Richardson apparently treated Peyton Manning and Brees as children (i.e. condescendingly questioning their intelligence) during a negotiation session. Whatever one thinks about the players in general, one should tread lightly about applying that label to those two, especially Manning, who graduated from Tennessee in THREE years with a 3.61 GPA and completed a full master's program in one more. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... f-players/

[andy7171]

I'm on the "Who gives a rip?" side of the fence.

Both sides better wise up and realize there will be football played this fall. They ain't the only show in town.

[dbackjon]

I'm on the "Who gives a rip?" side of the fence.

Both sides better wise up and realize there will be football played this fall. They ain't the only show in town.

Amen

[AZGrizFan]

I question ALL their intelligence at this point. Owners AND players....

[SuperHornet]

There's something to be said for that attitude. But consider the following:

1. When the labor dispute is settled, what will the season look like (assuming there's enough time left to fit one in WITHOUT SCABS) if the players don't work out on their own? This move is smart, because if the season happens, they'll be ready. If it doesn't, all they're out is a little time, and they still have their chiseled physiques (in the case of skill-position players, anyway) to impress the Bettys.

2. If you had worked hard on a master's degree, especially in an area that means something (i.e. not underwater basket weaving), would you like YOUR intelligence denigrated by a guy who merely has $$?

You guys are correct that Shakespeare's "A pox on BOTH your houses" applies. People like Peterson and Mendenhall make that abundantly clear. But one shouldn't whitewash people like Brees and Manning as being on the same level as those ignoramuses.

[AZGrizFan]

There's something to be said for that attitude. But consider the following:

1. When the labor dispute is settled, what will the season look like (assuming there's enough time left to fit one in WITHOUT SCABS) if the players don't work out on their own? This move is smart, because if the season happens, they'll be ready. If it doesn't, all they're out is a little time, and they still have their chiseled physiques (in the case of skill-position players, anyway) to impress the Bettys.

2. If you had worked hard on a master's degree, especially in an area that means something (i.e. not underwater basket weaving), would you like YOUR intelligence denigrated by a guy who merely has $$?

You guys are correct that Shakespeare's "A pox on BOTH your houses" applies. People like Peterson and Mendenhall make that abundantly clear. But one shouldn't whitewash people like Brees and Manning as being on the same level as those ignoramuses.

Just because you have an MBA doesn't mean you know how to read a financial statement.

[SuperHornet]

That's true, AZ. But asking if one knows how to read it is NOT the same thing as condescendingly assuming such. It was the attitude behind it that was so insulting, regardless of Manning's ACTUAL ability or non-ability to read it.

[AZGrizFan]

That's true, AZ. But asking if one knows how to read it is NOT the same thing as condescendingly assuming such. It was the attitude behind it that was so insulting, regardless of Manning's ACTUAL ability or non-ability to read it.

I really don't give a shit. There are pompous, arrogant, rich blowhards on both sides of the table...they ALL need to get over themselves and get the shit done.

[bandl]

Like Andy said...who gives a shit? There is other football out there to watch this fall. Lokay High football rules!

[SuperHornet]

The fact that pomposity exists on both sides is no reason to assume that EVERYONE is an a-hole.

You know what assuming does, right?

[bandl]

The fact that pomposity exists on both sides is no reason to assume that EVERYONE is an a-hole.

You know what assuming does, right?

It makes your envelope grow. Right, Z?!?!

[AZGrizFan]

The fact that pomposity exists on both sides is no reason to assume that EVERYONE is an a-hole.

You know what assuming does, right?

The vast majority of them are assholes. Period. Rich, arrogant assholes. That play a fucking GAME for a living. I have zero sympathy.

[UNHWildCats]

Players can organize team activities, but coaches can not be involved.

[SuperHornet]

Players can organize team activities, but coaches can not be involved.

Players CAN. The smart ones DO. How many of them are that smart? Brees is showing his leadership here.

But define "involved." They may not be physically there, but you know that they HAVE to have provided the materials. In the case of S&C, that would be the workout charts. In terms of installing the system, if the coaches didn't see the lockout coming and so accellerated the install (at least as far as handing over the playbook), they don't belong in those positions. That might be under the table, but it's probably happening, and if it's not, they should fry.

[UNHWildCats]

Players can organize team activities, but coaches can not be involved.

Players CAN. The smart ones DO. How many of them are that smart? Brees is showing his leadership here.

But define "involved." They may not be physically there, but you know that they HAVE to have provided the materials. In the case of S&C, that would be the workout charts. In terms of installing the system, if the coaches didn't see the lockout coming and so accellerated the install (at least as far as handing over the playbook), they don't belong in those positions. That might be under the table, but it's probably happening, and if it's not, they should fry.

during the lockout coaches can not be in contact with players or player representatives. During the brief hiatus to the lockout teams were allowed to distribute playbooks, no idea if they had to be or were recollected once the stay was issued re-instituting the lockout.

[SuperHornet]

Whatever the rules of the lockout are, even the fans saw it coming miles ahead. The stuff you're saying was passed out during the hiatus should have been updates to what was passed out BEFORE the lockout took effect. If they didn't see it coming, they're going to be lightyears behind those who did if/when the lockout nonsense goes away and the games start.

Unless, of course, the league gets even dumber and goes the scab route again. Then we'll be looking at near-empty stands and guys getting the crap beat out of them crossing the line again. Ooh, I hope that doesn't happen.