I'd say highly likely. Rookie deals are fine, Franchise tags are terrible. Players gonna want health insurance after the NFL. Though the NFL might be in a position to really bend over to the NFLPA due to the XFL if the XFL does things right. Might be more interesting than 2011 which almost went to training camp.
Things were very testy between the league and the NFLPA for a while, but they have apparently improved over the last season or so. They've announced regular talks, and there seems willingness to work on a deal.
That said, NFLPA has been warning players to prepare for a lockout, and as other have alluded to, the last time it almost came to that the League took advantage in a big way, with the rookie contracts and the lower sharing %.
For what it's worth, I hope the league shortens the rookie contracts, cause I read a good article on Over the Cap where they put forth how they felt it would make veterans more competitive and get young players their worth sooner. I also wish they'd do away with the franchise tag, but I suspect the league will never agree to that.
Yeah no. ASJ is not Gronk's replacement. There's a very good chance he won't even make it out of camp. The Patriots had interest in him when he was drafted and have shown interest before, but at the pay he's getting, and the lack of production he's shown everywhere he;s been, it's highly unlikely that he'll be counted upon to replace what Gronk did for the team.
Depending on who the Patriots draft, it's likely that they will replace Gronk with several players. Some players will get more seam routes run, some players will be asked to block, but unless the Patriots trade up for TJ Hockenson or trade for a capable tight end from another team, there's just not really anyone who can do all the things Gronk did (and let alone at the level he did it at).
Far as stuff they could actually get done, because like you say removing the Franchise Tag isn't happening and we all know the League isn't going to budge on Goodell's suspension powers, the most likely thing is still probably agreeing to shorten the preseason to 2 or 3 games. Most of the young coaches now aren't even playing their starters until the final game at this point, and I'm sure the league wouldn't mind less injury risk (even though let's be real shortening the preseason just moves the injury risk into the regular season). Changes to the wage scale that would actually benefit young players I still have my doubts happen, because getting young players paid faster just means less money in the market for veterans. I think on that end they probably just undo the restrictions on sharing percentages. And then we watch NFL contracts finally balloon like the NBA and MLB contracts have.
I wasn't actually going to quote this because honestly not even I think the Pats can revive ASJ, though we've memed enough times about it. I just wanna say if the Pats are interested in Hockenson they're going to need to swing a blockbuster into the top 10. Nobody has him falling past the Packers at 12, and a lot of recent mocks (the same ones I complain like to give the Packers a backup lineman at 12) have him going in the 6-8 range now.Yeah no. ASJ is not Gronk's replacement. There's a very good chance he won't even make it out of camp. The Patriots had interest in him when he was drafted and have shown interest before, but at the pay he's getting, and the lack of production he's shown everywhere he;s been, it's highly unlikely that he'll be counted upon to replace what Gronk did for the team.
Depending on who the Patriots draft, it's likely that they will replace Gronk with several players. Some players will get more seam routes run, some players will be asked to block, but unless the Patriots trade up for TJ Hockenson or trade for a capable tight end from another team, there's just not really anyone who can do all the things Gronk did (and let alone at the level he did it at).
Though hey, Jimmy Graham may be on the market after the draft.
FFXIV - Maduin (Dynamis DC)
Fournette arrested for not paying a traffic ticket.
How hard is it to pay your fines, you millionaire dumbasses?
TO FIX WOW:1. smaller server sizes & server-only LFG awarding satchels, so elite players help others. 2. "helper builds" with loom powers - talent trees so elite players cast buffs on low level players XP gain, HP/mana, regen, damage, etc. 3. "helper ilvl" scoring how much you help others. 4. observer games like in SC to watch/chat (like twitch but with MORE DETAILS & inside the wow UI) 5. guild leagues to compete with rival guilds for progression (with observer mode).6. jackpot world mobs.
If Hockensen is there at 9 and the Bills don't take him, I might literally run through a wall.
It's only folding tables, not actual wooden tables, so I assume Escha's gonna run through drywall, not actual brick wall too.
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Also, honestly? I prefer if the Patriots take one of the falling defensive linemen at 32 and trade into the upper part of the 2nd round to pick up TE Irv Smith rather than trade up in the 1st to get Fant or Hockenson.
There's no way we replace Gronk anyway, so I'd rather take what's there in the draft, which is more defensive linemen than can go in the first round. Patriots need some young talent added to the line, cause Michael Bennett and Lawrence Guy are not going to be around that much longer.
Really hoping that a certain rumour swirling around is that of a Lions & Falcons trade in the draft. Lions swap 8 for 14 and we give a 3rd round and 2020 4th round. Given Ed Oliver is still available at 8. Plz god!
Thomas Dimitroff likes too trade up, so I'm kinda expecting something too happen if its possible to do so.
AAF suddenly not so forthcoming anymore. Pretty vile move for players now stuck in limbo between a contract that no longer pays them and being denied opportunity to get employed.
Wow the fuck. I still don't understand how that league imploded midseason like that. A supposed infusion of cash. I wonder if that was just a lie.
TO FIX WOW:1. smaller server sizes & server-only LFG awarding satchels, so elite players help others. 2. "helper builds" with loom powers - talent trees so elite players cast buffs on low level players XP gain, HP/mana, regen, damage, etc. 3. "helper ilvl" scoring how much you help others. 4. observer games like in SC to watch/chat (like twitch but with MORE DETAILS & inside the wow UI) 5. guild leagues to compete with rival guilds for progression (with observer mode).6. jackpot world mobs.
Bandwagon sports fans can eat a bag of http://www.ddir.com/ .
I still think they picked the wrong Josh. That made me angry. It defied every analytical scouting report, and was a "gut feeling" decision based on "tools" and "he needs to throw it hard in the wind!" and "he's so blue collar!" Those are the type of decisions I don't want my franchise making. Green Bay is blue collar, they picked a douchey California QB who will now go to the HoF and won them a Superbowl.
Not picking Hockensen, if he's there and certain other players aren't, would make me disappointed. In this case I was being hyperbolic. I think Hockensen is gonna be the next Gronk, tbh. Good at blocking, great route runner and pass catcher, destroys the middle of the field.
If Ed Oliver or Quinnen Williams (? is that his last name?) is there at 9, those are fine picks too. I'd rather have Hockensen over any WR at 9, since you can get a good WR later. If Jawaan Taylor, the OT, is at 9, that'd be a good pick too.