Labor Pains

Well, the expiration of the current NFL collective bargaining agreement ("CBA") is upon us.  Most sports writers agree that if a lockout or union decertification is implemented, the work stoppage will last until at least the brink of the regular season. 

According to the Plain Dealer, the Browns were warned about coaches meeting with Colt McCoy or other players right now.  Apparently, Colt's round of interviews surrounding the Super Bowl revealed that he had been speaking with Coach Shurmer and prompted the league warning.  As discussed in earlier posts, the Browns and other teams with new coaches and new schemes are going to be hit the hardest by any work stoppage.  They'll have more work to do and less time to do it than other more established teams once a work stoppage is over. 

Here are some of the facts of life if the deadline passes with no new CBA:

• No free agency for veteran players
• No contact between coaches and veteran players, including workouts and rehab at team facilities (good luck to you Montario Hardesty!)
• No player trades prior to or on draft day (like the blockbuster that brought us the likes of Abe Elam, David Bowens, Brett Ratliffe, etc. - on second thought, maybe this is a good thing)
• No ability for teams to sign rookie free agents after the draft
• No rookie mini camps or OTA's
• No signing rookie draft picks

Some alternative possibilities if there is no new CBA by the deadline:

• Owners lockout the players (obviously)
• The players' union decertifies (they already voted to authorize this if necessary, but it must be done prior to expiration of the CBA) This option is loaded with uncertainty, except the certainty that anti-trust litigation will result
• Both sides can agree to extend the deadline if they are close to a deal
• Owners can opt to implement the last, best offer made to the union.

If either side resorts to litigation, whether with the federal court or the National Labor Relations Board, it will take much longer to resolve.  Both sides have already staked their claims in court as insurance if no deal is reached voluntarily. 

This Browns fan is planning to enjoy the NFL Draft to the fullest, as it may be the last football we see until September.  Hopefully, the owners and players work it out without missing any games, and potentially losing thousands of fans in the process.  I guess we'll have to find something to blog about between April and September....any suggestions?