NFL LOCKOUT

[JChipwood]

lol.....If that is slavery then Lincoln actually did the slaves an injustice by freeing them. Just think, all slaves would be driving Bentleys and living the most ridiculous lifestyle imaginable.

If anyone is a slave it is the fan. Let "us" vote on thier issues and if they don't like the outcome they can use their free "education" to get a job flipping burgers or sweeping floors for low wages. This could already be a completed process without talk of a lockout. The players are greedy and so are the owners and both are making tons of money. Add that to the fact that the regular season is just watered down with guys playing for checks not because they love their "jobs" and sometimes sitting because their feelings are hurt or some other lame injury. No play-no pay or give them paid days off and if they exceed their limit they take leave without pay. One or two gamechecks will feed a large family for a year anyway. Merit pay won't work in the schools but it would work in sports.

[BBallin fool]

Hope not but it may be a long one.

[Space Cowboy]

They make more money now than they are worth.

[JChipwood]

Yes and to add to that ^^^ I have long said I would rather see the players making the bucks rather than the owners. Maybe some money could be kept in a reserve for retirees. Pay increases and salaries have to level off for players, coaches, owners, and NFL front office team members and if the league continues to make more and more each year then save the money for stadium projects or something rather than dole it out like pez candy in bonuses and increased salaries to everyone involved. 9 Billion is a lot of jack per year. Greed is taking over our country and sports are certainly not exempt.

I'd at least like to see the players play up to their potential and leave it on the field before the playoffs making the regular season at least somewhat fun to watch again.

[dazed&confused]

^^^^^^^My general sympathy lies with the players, who have been pushed hard since the 1987 strike and lockout. For instance, I think non-guaranteed contracts are a joke. A large contract with huge back-end money is nothing more than what the player gets in the first three or four years unless they are a marquis player like Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. They get cut in a later bonus year. On the other hand, why should owners have sympathy with players such as Albert Haynesworth, who sign huge, multi-year contracts and don't live up to the expectations of such. How many Humvees and fur coats does Ocho Stinko own? And I'm supposed to have sympathy with these guys? Remember "Big Money" Gerard Warren of the Browns? I don't think some of these players need more money. There is too much money for both entities and I haven't even discussed agents yet. In an era when the middle class is under siege and the government is bleeding red ink, how can these guys go on TV (or radio or Twitter or whatever) and claim outrage? Meet in the middle, cut a deal and play football. And one more thing, JUST SHUT UP!

[BBallin fool]

Hell with them!!! they have money !!! Thats the problem with the game today !!! Its going to ruin the sport.