Several weeks ago word leaked out that the NFLPA was going telling incoming rookies who were invited to the draft to decline the offer and join in some sort of NFLPA event. The reasoning was that the NFLPA didn’t want incoming rookies to be shaking hands on draft day with the man that was locking them out, Commissioner Roger Goodell.
NFLPA Could Change 2011 NFL Draft Event Plans
The backlash came quick and heavy. Not many folks were in favor of this plan because, up until that point, the draft was our safe haven from CBA talk. My take is that the NFL draft was in the last CBA, and it was agreed upon that it would happen with or without a lockout, so both sides need to treat it as they normally would.
The NFLPA, after the negative backlash, may be changing their plans. Peter King of SI.com reports the NFLPA has a meeting on Monday to decide what they’ll do. We’re not sure what the final decision will be but King reports that he expects some sort of “welcome-to-the-family feel” to it.
With all the negative publicity that came of the leaked reports several weeks ago, I would guess the NFLPA tweaks their plan to make others happy. It seems that nobody wants to see them follow through on the plan which was reportedly to conduct their own draft event down the street from Radio City Music Hall.
We’ll see if they change the plans. I think they should and, if it were up to me, they would be business as usual at the draft. The CBA arguments can take place before and after that event -- but not during the event.
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