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Watkins: Cowboys players speak out on labor issues
Cowboys players speak out on labor issues
March, 19, 2011
By Calvin Watkins
Over the next few days more than 100 current and former NFL players are meeting in Marco Island, Fla., where the NFLPA is meeting with its board of directors to talk about their plan against the owners in this lockout mess.
Cowboys' player reps, Bradie James and Jason Witten are attending the meetings and spoke about some of the labor issues.
James, the inside linebacker, seemed to take exception that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent an email to more than 1,000 players explaining the league's proposal.
In the letter, Goodell tells the players to "encourage your union to return to the bargaining table and conclude a new collective bargaining agreement."
It's interesting Goodell would reach out to the players because based on the terms of the lockout owners are not allowed to speak with the players for the exception of the labor committee, that has Cowboys owner Jerry Jones as part of a three-man team at the table with the players.
Goodell is representing the owners in the labor talks.
When James was asked what he thought of the letter he told reporters its "to divide us. It's that simple."
James said he would welcome a meeting with the owners before the April 6 court date that could end the lockout.
"We want to play," James said. "So yes anytime that they want to reach out. That's legal jargon; they should know. But I want to play. Right now. So yes."
One of the biggest issues with the players is staying united. Some owners and even those who are watching the labor issues from the outside think some players will force the union to make a deal once September gets closer. (The NFL has plans to release the schedule in mid-April as scheduled.) Some NFL players live paycheck-to-paycheck and during the 2010 season, the union advised players to save their money in the event of a long work stoppage.
"That started a few years back, with 'One Team,' '' Witten said in terms of the players staying united. "That communication - we've done a great job of trying to communicate and get everyone on the same page."
Added James: "Let's make no mistake: it will be pressure on both sides. We're not the only ones that have bills to pay. We play in a new statdium we know what the electric bill is. There's pressure on both sides."
Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman was on TMZ talking about the labor situation and joked that Goodell is screwing the players in terms of fines. On a serious note, Newman told TMZ lots of people will be "without jobs if there is no NFL it is what it is."
In response to comment on what he said to TMZ, Newman said in an email to ESPNDallas: "Hahaha, I was just being funny!"
Newman does take the labor issues seriously based on conversations he's had with reporters during the season.
Cowboys players speak out on labor issues
March, 19, 2011
By Calvin Watkins
Over the next few days more than 100 current and former NFL players are meeting in Marco Island, Fla., where the NFLPA is meeting with its board of directors to talk about their plan against the owners in this lockout mess.
Cowboys' player reps, Bradie James and Jason Witten are attending the meetings and spoke about some of the labor issues.
James, the inside linebacker, seemed to take exception that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent an email to more than 1,000 players explaining the league's proposal.
In the letter, Goodell tells the players to "encourage your union to return to the bargaining table and conclude a new collective bargaining agreement."
It's interesting Goodell would reach out to the players because based on the terms of the lockout owners are not allowed to speak with the players for the exception of the labor committee, that has Cowboys owner Jerry Jones as part of a three-man team at the table with the players.
Goodell is representing the owners in the labor talks.
When James was asked what he thought of the letter he told reporters its "to divide us. It's that simple."
James said he would welcome a meeting with the owners before the April 6 court date that could end the lockout.
"We want to play," James said. "So yes anytime that they want to reach out. That's legal jargon; they should know. But I want to play. Right now. So yes."
One of the biggest issues with the players is staying united. Some owners and even those who are watching the labor issues from the outside think some players will force the union to make a deal once September gets closer. (The NFL has plans to release the schedule in mid-April as scheduled.) Some NFL players live paycheck-to-paycheck and during the 2010 season, the union advised players to save their money in the event of a long work stoppage.
"That started a few years back, with 'One Team,' '' Witten said in terms of the players staying united. "That communication - we've done a great job of trying to communicate and get everyone on the same page."
Added James: "Let's make no mistake: it will be pressure on both sides. We're not the only ones that have bills to pay. We play in a new statdium we know what the electric bill is. There's pressure on both sides."
Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman was on TMZ talking about the labor situation and joked that Goodell is screwing the players in terms of fines. On a serious note, Newman told TMZ lots of people will be "without jobs if there is no NFL it is what it is."
In response to comment on what he said to TMZ, Newman said in an email to ESPNDallas: "Hahaha, I was just being funny!"
Newman does take the labor issues seriously based on conversations he's had with reporters during the season.
