Posted on March 27, 2011 by James W
One of the biggest points of contention during the NFL lockout is the issue regarding TV revenue and where the money from contracts and revenue is going. Currently, the NFL owners and league receives the majority of the money that is received from a TV contracts. Just this past week the NFL players union has requested that a ruling be put in place that would force the NFL to Release the documents and records that come along with the NFL TV case.
The players Association on Wednesday expressed concern regarding the fact that all records from the NFL TV case were sealed. It is believed that the league may have tried to secure over $4 billion in TV contracts in which many of the players believe is being used to help find this lockout time. Currently, players are not entitled to a share of the money that the NFL gets from TV contracts or advertising.
The motion was submitted to the NFL and requires that the NFL show the records to the players association within the next seven days. This motion has been a long time coming as the players Association has asked repeatedly for the NFL to open its records up to the public. This Motion also comes off of a federal judge ruling with the players that the league the legally obtained over $4 billion in TV contracts some of which the players never saw a penny of the money that came in from the contracts.
When asked to comment the NFL league spokesperson answered that they will be responding to the court motion in due time and would not comment any further.
Mail this post
Technorati Tags: NFL league, NFL players, NFL TV
Posted on March 24, 2011 by James W
The NFL Players Association and the NFL owners lockout that was put into effect this past Saturday might seem like just average sports lockout to the fans but to the NFL players it is having serious repercussions.
Although it is the off-season for the NFL there are still various items that the NFL owners and organization would normally cover during this off period of time. The biggest item that is usually covered during the off-season is that of players health insurance. Due to the fact that the league is currently in lockout and nothing is being paid all NFL players are required to purchase their own health benefits.
In a recent survey of health benefits through the COBRA organization estimated that a family policy is around $2400. Normally during this off-season time the team that the player plays for would normally cover the health benefits. However, due to the lockout. All players are now required to fund their own health benefits which could be problematic.
The problem that arises in regards to these health benefits is that many of the football players either did not budget correctly, have not been paid or are ineligible for health benefits. The biggest concern are players that are first-year football players as they have not received any of their pay yet and are not eligible for COBRA since they have not started playing.
Other financial problems that are rising due to this lockout are the players are responsible for funding their own workouts as all team facilities are locked out and off limits and players must purchase insurance in order to guard against injury for all injuries that could occur during this lockout time.
Mail this post
Technorati Tags: Health Insurance, NFL players
Posted on March 21, 2011 by James W
When the NFL announced that there was a possibility of a lockout for the players and the NFL organization there were rumors that this type of lockout would affect everyone from the owners all the way down to the smallest employee that was employed by an NFL team. While many fans turn their noses up at this type of suggestion, this past Wednesday the Buffalo Bills team and organization showed exactly what type of implication this lockout would have.
On Wednesday, operating officials for the Buffalo Bills announced that there would be an across-the-board pay cut to all employees that were employed by the Buffalo Bills. This pay cut was believed to be essential in order to keep the money going while the NFL is in a labor dispute. Team officials made a point of announcing that in order to avoid any types of layoffs. These pay cuts were essential to keeping the money that would no longer be coming in during the lockout going.
The plan pay cuts for the Buffalo Bills will work as follows. Employees that are paid a hire some will take a larger cut in pay, while employees who are paid lower will receive a lower cut in pay. Everyone that is employed by the Buffalo Bills is directly affected by the pay cut, and there are no exceptions.
The Buffalo Bills are just a number of the NFL teams that have announced employee and work stoppages during this period. All NFL teams are doing what they can to keep the money going and have made changes from pay cuts, forcing employees to take unpaid days and even laying off individuals with the promise of potentially rehiring them after the work stoppage.
Mail this post
Technorati Tags: Buffalo Bills, NFL organization, NFL teams
Posted on March 18, 2011 by James W
The NFL competition committee has recommended a series of rule changes that are believed to help reduce the amount of injuries that NFL players receive while playing the game. While many of these rule changes might be a helpful role to reduce the amount of injuries during the game some of these proposed changes could have adverse effects the whole game of football.
The first major change that is being proposed by the NFL competition committee is the change to where kickoffs occur. Currently kickoffs occur on the 30 yard line. When kickoffs occur in the 30 yard line it is believed that there is a high chance that players could be involved in violent collisions that could cause concussions and sometimes paralysis. The solution to reducing the amount of injuries that occur during kickoff is to move the kickoff from the 30 yard line 235 yard line. However, this is not gone over as well as it should have.
There major complaint about moving the kickoff to the 35 yard line is that it would almost virtually remove any returns that occur during the game. Many NFL players and teams believe that this proposed change is actually a way to help other teams that have poor special teams as special teams in football are responsible for the returns.
Many current and past players have expressed concern that even with these changes serious injuries are likely to happen. This brings up the proposed question of whether changing the kickoff is really mandatory or if it is a way of trying to even the playing field in the ever-growing lopsided world of the NFL football league.
Mail this post
Technorati Tags: NFL competition committee, NFL football league, NFL players
Posted on March 15, 2011 by James W
michael
While the NFL and the NFL players league continued to stay in a deadlock in regards to the labor dispute some NFL players taking the time to continue on the path of personal growth. One of the biggest names to continue with his off field growth is Michael Vick.
Michael Vickis known for his 23 month prison sentence for being found guilty in an extensive dogfighting ring. Despite the fact that he has made a huge on-field comeback after his prison sentence Michael Vick will be working with fellow volunteers to help with visits various area prisons.
During his visit to the prison Michael Vick will share his experiences and talk about what he learned and how he has grown since his prison stay. This past Saturday Michael Vick spoke to about 1000 soon to be released inmates and discussed with them how to prepare themselves for the outside world and what to expect. This program is put together by Abe Brown Ministries and is believed to help both the inmates and ex-inmates learn from each other and prepare for the outside world.
Michael Vick is quoted as stating that the experience was extremely humbling one and one that is helping him through his personal growth. This was the first time that Michael Vick visited the jail since his sentencing. However, this will not be the last time. Michael Vick plans on continuing his work with Abe Brown Ministries in the hopes that he can make a difference with other inmates.
Mail this post
Technorati Tags: Abe Brown Ministries, Michael Vick, NFL players
Posted on March 12, 2011 by James W
Chad Ochocinco has pursued a lot of passions. He is a top NFL receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals and he had a fairly interesting reality TV show on VH1 looking for new girlfriend. Now with the NFL labor lockout in place is given Chad Ochocinco the chance to pursue another passion while he is unable to play football.
This past week Chad Ochocinco expresses interest in trying out for Major League soccer’s Sporting Kansas City team. His time on the team will be short-lived as it is just a four-day tryout that will start this Wednesday. However, Chad Ochocinco is hoping that if he is able to impress key managers and the coach that he will be asked to stay for a longer run with the Kansas City soccer team.
Football players who double as soccer players are not all that unusual. Usually it is the kicker who doubles as a soccer but in this case is the NFL receiver who is giving soccer a try. Chad Ochocinco used to play soccer in his youth and has been quoted as saying that he has always had a love for the game of soccer. During his four-day tryout he will be playing either as a Ford or a wing on the soccer field a position that is completely different from his receiver position in the NFL.
It looks like the NFL lockout and the Kanas City Sportings need for increased ticket sales and publicity could make a winning combination for Chad Ochocinco. Let’s just hope that this combination spell success for all parties involved.
Mail this post
Technorati Tags: Chad Ochocinco, Kanas City Sportings, NFL receiver
Posted on March 9, 2011 by James W
It appears as if NFL players will never learn. After the dozens of former and current NFL players being charged with crimes involving a firearm you would think that if NFL player who was in possession of a firearm would follow all the rules in order to ensure that you didn’t find yourself behind bars. However, obviously Mario Henderson an offensive tackle who is currently a free agent did not get that memo.
This past Thursday morning Mario Henderson was pulled over in Fort Myers, Florida by the police. Police pulled him over because he was playing his music too loudly I which is in direct violation with the noise ordinance in Fort Myers. When police pulled them over they asked him if he was carrying any weapons and Mario Henderson admitted to having a firearm in the car.
Police found a firearm in the center console of the car which labels it as a concealed weapon. Mario Henderson does not hold a concealed firearms permit which would allow him to carry the firearm and also to conceal it. Police immediately took him into custody and charged with carrying a concealed firearm. Police failed to comment on how long of a sentence Mario Henderson could be facing should he be found guilty of carrying a concealed weapon. However, passing collections have ranged from a fine to jail time.
Mario Henderson is known for his four seasons as an offensive tackle with the Oakland Raiders. This past year he was labeled as a free agent and is currently unsigned with any NFL team.
Mail this post
Technorati Tags: concealed firearm, Mario Henderson, Oakland Raiders
Posted on March 6, 2011 by James W
McCann
With the NFL in a lockout and the players unable to train in official NFL facilities there isn’t much to do if you’re an NFL player. This is evidenced by the fact that there is a growing number of NFL players who are finding themselves in a bit of legal trouble. The cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys, Bryan McCann, is the latest NFL player to find themselves in potential legal trouble.
A news station in Dallas, Texas has reported that Bryan McCann was arrested early Saturday morning for public intoxication. Official police reports have not been released but there’s speculation about what has occurred. The speculation includes that Bryan McCann was arrested early Saturday morning and taking to the main Dallas detox center at 3 AM. He was released eight hours later after being declared able to go home on his own.
Bryan McCann has denied any public intoxication and released a statement early Sunday through his agent. The statement denied any public intoxication and thanked friends, family members, coaches and teammates for their support and understanding. It also further thanked the American public for being understanding allowing due process to show the world that he was innocent of the charges filed against him.
Bryan McCann was a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys signed and played in a total in nine games last season. His biggest highlight in his first year as the Dallas Cowboys was 101 yard interception for a touchdown against the New York Giants. He is also known for a 97 yard punt return in a game against the Detroit Lions.
Mail this post
Technorati Tags: Bryan McCann, NFL player
Posted on March 3, 2011 by James W
Every NFL fan at some point in time has watched an NFL film. These are films that depict the life and times of various NFL players. While every NFL fan knows about the NFL films they do not know about the man behind the camera.
Steve Sabol is the man behind the camera and the one who comes up with all the brilliant ideas for the films. However, this past week the NFL community, NFL Films and the entertainment world was dealt a very heavy blow when Steve Sabol was diagnosed with brain cancer.
After suffering a seizure two weeks ago, Steve Sabol was hospitalized in a Kansas City hospital. They are doctors ran extensive test work that eventually led to him being diagnosed with a primary brain tumor located on the left side of his brain. Treatments for this primary tumor will begin immediately and it is expected that Steve Sabol will undergo a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.
NFL Films does a vast majority of the camerawork and cinematography for the NFL games and other stories. NFL Films was founded by Steve’s dad, Ed, who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Steve Sabol has a long history with the NFL Films and therefore is directly related to the NFL. He began working with NFL Films in 1964 and has won over 27 Emmy Awards for his work and dedication to writing, filming, directing and producing NFL productions over the past years. Although he isn’t directly a football player, Steve Sabol has long been considered a part of the NFL community.
Mail this post
Technorati Tags: NFL films, Steve Sabol
Posted on March 1, 2011 by James W
D.Hill
Shocking news hit the NFL community late on Friday evening. Drew Hill a former NFL wide receiver who is mostly known for playing for the Houston Oilers passed away after suffering two strokes in the hospital.
Drew Hill was playing golf on Thursday when he collapsed and fell ill. He was rushed to hospital where he suffered two massive strokes which resulted in the 54-year-old’s death. The news of his death took the NFL community by storm as many past and current players were shocked by the news.
Drew Hill was a 12th round pick in 1979. He played from 1979 to 1984 for the Los Angeles Rams, 1985 to 1981 for the Houston Oilers and then again in 1992 and 1993 for the Atlanta Falcons. He is most famous for being a key part in an offense of movement known as the running shoe which was developed in the 1980s.
Drew Hill’s career stats included 234 repetitions for 9801 yards and over 60 touchdowns. Those touchdowns averaged 15.5 yards per catch. He was also named to the Pro bowl teams in 1988 and 1990 and made it all the way to one Super Bowl. In total, Drew Hill played 14 seasons with the NFL, had over 70 catches in three years and five years with 1000 yards.
Former coaches, Team members and players have expressed their condolences and support to the Hill family during this time. It was a shocking news that will definitely take the rest of the NFL community by storm.
Mail this post
Technorati Tags: Drew Hill, NFL community
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »
