Fractures in NFLPA? (1 Viewer)

[VaCatFan]

Vikings' Birk rips NFL union boss Upshaw

‘What's going on right now is hurting all of us,’ says former Pro Bowler

Image: Gene Upshaw

Charles Dharapak / AP

Gene Upshaw, pictured, was the target of complaints by Minnesota Vikings center Matt Birk in a column in Friday's Minnesota Star-Tribune.

Minnesota Vikings center Matt Birk is not happy with the job being done by Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players' Association. Not at all.

Birk sounded off to columnist Mark Craig in Friday's edition of the Minnesota Star-Tribune.

"Don't put this in the paper ... no, wait, go ahead and put it in," Birk told Craig. "Gene Upshaw is a piece of (expletive). Too many guys in the league just accept whatever Gene says. I don't know why no one has called this guy out."

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The former Pro Bowler believes the recent breakdown in negotiations between the NFL and the players' union is hurting the sport.

"It's a joke, it really is," Birk said in the paper. "Everyone is making money. A lot of money. You think anyone wants to hear about the money problems of the NFL owners or players? It's bad pub for the league. It's bad for all of us."

Birk, a Harvard graduate, says the prospects of a uncapped season — something that could happen if a deal is not struck before the end of this weekend — aren't good for everyone.

"When you go to those CBA meetings, you always feel like you're being sold something instead of being given the straight facts," Birk told the paper. "Through all the meetings leading up to this, it was always: 'The owners don't want an uncapped year. We'll get a deal, and if we don't, so what? There will be an uncapped year and there will be crazy money out there.'

"The reality is that's not the case. And you're seeing that it's not the leverage we were told it would be."

If there is no deal and the cap doesn’t increase, it would leave a glut of players on the free-agent market and many teams without much money to sign them. Next year, the final season of the contract, would be without a cap — and that would contain limitations that could hurt the players, such as raising the number of years of eligibility for free agency from four to six.

"And we'll lose some of our 401(k) and annuities, and some benefits, too," Birk said. "That's a huge deal to the younger guys making the minimum who might not have 10-year careers. Those are guys the union needs to look out for.

On the surface, the dispute is over percentage points — the union says it wants 60-plus percent of league revenues earmarked for the players; the owners are offering 56.2 percent. That amounts to approximately $10 million per team per year.

"Gene thinks we're making all this money because of Gene Upshaw," Birk told the paper. "No, we're making all of this money because of TV. This sport is huge, and what's going on right now is hurting all of us."

© 2006 NBC Sports.com

 

[beachbum]

nice analysis by Birk... could have done without the epithet thrown at Upshaw, but his analysis of the effect upon younger players (in the event of a no-cap situation) and his closing insight about TV are right on the money

 

[lod2005]

Bravo Matt Birk.

 

[mcjc4]

You are not going to blow to much smoke up Matt's ### when it comes to finacial or buisness situations. His Harvard degree in Buisness puts him on a different playing field than your rank and file NFL player. He was definilty off base calling Gene Upshaw a piece of *&$%. he knows better than that and has called Upshaws office and left a voicemail apoligizing for his statements and hopes to talk to Upshaw directly.

 

[bro1ncos]

Birk and Upshaw had numerous run ins when Birk the the Players Assoc. lead rep. Those two haven't got along for quite some time.

 

[fatness]

"Don't put this in the paper ... no, wait, go ahead and put it in," Birk told Craig. "Gene Upshaw is a piece of (expletive). Too many guys in the league just accept whatever Gene says. I don't know why no one has called this guy out."

"Gene thinks we're making all this money because of Gene Upshaw," Birk told the paper. "

What I get out of that article is that Matt Birk doesn't like Gene Upshaw and knew a good time to take a swipe at him and have it heavily publicized.

 

[ChampBailey24]

Heh, Birk went to Harvard and we see it.

 

[cstu]

Like it or not, it was time for a player to call out Upshaw and Birk was the perfect guy to do it. He completely right about the facts and shows that Upshaw is all about greed and not what is best for the average player. 60% of revenues is a joke - small market teams that don't get huge ad and stadium revenue can't compete if they are paying that much in salaries.

 

[msommer]

Who exactly does Birk like?

 

[Native]

For a Harvard guy, Birks not the smartest tool in the shed.

 

[fatness]

He completely right about the facts

What "facts" are you seeing in that article which I'm missing? All I see are a few opinions from Birk.

 

[datonn]

"Don't put this in the paper ... no, wait, go ahead and put it in," Birk told Craig. "Gene Upshaw is a piece of (expletive). Too many guys in the league just accept whatever Gene says. I don't know why no one has called this guy out."

Anyone who calls out a union boss for spreading a lot of propaganda, AKA manure, and looking out for #1 looks pretty darned smart in my book. Most unions no longer have the best interests of their members in mind. It's all about lining the union leader's pockets, power and control. I would if more players like Birk, who can score a little higher than 6 on the Wonderlic, would chime in and tell it like it is......

 

[lod2005]

Looks like Upshaw has decided to go run home to mommy and cry according to ESPN.

 

[Buckle]

Regardless, I think Upshaw has been too comfortable at his current job for far too long, and the union could use a new change. I think Gene is still stuck in the 60's and 70's.

 

[Footballhead]

There is a danger that NFL might turn into MLB. When small market teams cannot compete with the big cities, that'll be the end of football for me.

 

[SoloMatisse]

Im not a fan of what Birk did to his team this past season. ....hanging them out to dry right before the season was about to begin. The choice was either he got a new contract or he'd have season ending surgery. He chose the surgery and screwed his team. Should have happened sooner. Nothing wrong with looking out for #1, but on the eve of season?? Screw that guy...he's got zero cred relative to a man like Upshaw who's been a trusted representative of his players, as a former player himself, for many many years. All that is wrong in the world need not fall on his shoulders. The players have minds too. But Birk is a bad guy for making this public and calling out his guy. Horrible timing.

 

[cstu]

Im not a fan of what Birk did to his team this past season. ....hanging them out to dry right before the season was about to begin. The choice was either he got a new contract or he'd have season ending surgery. He chose the surgery and screwed his team. Should have happened sooner. Nothing wrong with looking out for #1, but on the eve of season?? Screw that guy...he's got zero cred relative to a man like Upshaw who's been a trusted representative of his players, as a former player himself, for many many years. All that is wrong in the world need not fall on his shoulders. The players have minds too. But Birk is a bad guy for making this public and calling out his guy. Horrible timing.

I don't get this - he was injured and needed surgery. The Vikings asked him to play through it and he said he would if they guaranteed his $4 million salary in 2006. They declined and he went ahead and got the surgery. You can't blame a guy who is truly injured for getting surgery instead of playing injured and risking his career.

 

[BigRed]

You are not going to blow to much smoke up Matt's ### when it comes to finacial or buisness situations. His Harvard degree in Buisness puts him on a different playing field than your rank and file NFL player. He was definilty off base calling Gene Upshaw a piece of *&$%.

You're right. Upshaw has a lot of improvement to do before he qualifies for being merely a POS. lol @ squeezing the owner's jewels and screwing up the league over a 4% diff. GB Matt Birk for not just having the insight to see Upshaw's BS but not being afraid to call him on it. Publicly. About freaking time. Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

Correct me if I'm wrong... Isn't Birk a high priced player that hasn't played much the past two seasons?

It sounds like HE could be wood chipper material if the Vikes REALLY want to free up a LOT more salary cap space - and get some good values before the 'uncapped season'.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

It appears he should be ripping Daniel Snyder and Jerry Jones even more - as Upshaw (apparently) has negotiated a good deal for the union.

 

[SoloMatisse]

Im not a fan of what Birk did to his team this past season. ....hanging them out to dry right before the season was about to begin.  The choice was either he got a new contract or he'd have season ending surgery.  He chose the surgery and screwed his team.  Should have happened sooner.  Nothing wrong with looking out for #1, but on the eve of season??  Screw that guy...he's got zero cred relative to a man like Upshaw who's been a trusted representative of his players, as a former player himself, for many many years.  All that is wrong in the world need not fall on his shoulders.  The players have minds too.  But Birk is a bad guy for making this public and calling out his guy.  Horrible timing.

I don't get this - he was injured and needed surgery. The Vikings asked him to play through it and he said he would if they guaranteed his $4 million salary in 2006. They declined and he went ahead and got the surgery. You can't blame a guy who is truly injured for getting surgery instead of playing injured and risking his career.

I wasnt questioning the fact that he needed the surgery...just the fact that he waited until the last second to hold the team hostage over his contract and give them an ultimatum with no real time. He could have dealt with the surgery much earlier, but chose to screw his team by not allowing them any time to adequately fill the shoes of an All Pro Center. His absence may very well have led to the injury of an All Pro QB. Now, speaking out like a big spoiled siss against the Union Pres WHILE your Union is trying desperately to iron out the CBA in the final hours???? That was a punk move that he's since apologized for, but inexcusable nonetheless because it threatened union solidarity. Screwed his team and then threatened to screw his union...not impressive.

 

[weasel3515]

I think Birk's comments shed light on the greed of the players. If this all breaks down the players will lose 401(k) and insurance, which for younger players is especially important. When teams have to fold because of lost revenue in the future who will be hurt most? The players as there will be less opportunities. They are already getting overpaid for playing a game (no matter how much fun we may have with it). They are nothing more than spoiled brats now.

 

[Challenge Everything]

Dont know how long Upshaw has been at it for the NFLPA but maybe it is some time to have some new blood in there. The product is good and the money is rolling in on all sides. If the product is to remain near the same quality keep things status quo. Now, the matter is over $300 million total and how much of that really does go to the players? $10 million and 1/2 goes to the gubment with another certain % to agents and union dues. The players see about $4-$5 million and that is being generous on my part. Sure beats the alternative of getting $0. Cant get money without a product and when the average Joe's salary is not going up in "real money" I doubt people are going to keep putting their effort in support of what the NFLPA wants in this settlement.

 

[HobbesAB]

Rick Spielman's take on Gene Upshaw's comments on revenue sharing. Spielman's point is even greater when you consider that the number has been increased to 58%:

Revenue sharing: This seems to be the key sticking point of the negotiations. The players reportedly are asking for 60 percent of the shared revenues, and the owners reportedly are offering 56.2 percent. Upshaw made the point on the radio that he couldn't go back to the players having agreed to the same percentage they currently receive.In reality, though, that would not be the case. Currently, the players draw a percentage -- 65.5 percent in 2005 -- of a revenue pool called designated gross revenue (DGR), which is primarily television money and ticket sales. The owners already have agreed to use a wider pool from which to draw player salaries, one called "total football revenue," which includes things like local radio and television income, stadium revenue, etc. Using TFR instead of DGR, and with the new television money in place and all other types of new revenue coming in, you're talking about an astronomical amount of money being shifted to the players.While I don't have the exact numbers, it's hard to believe that 56.2 percent of TFR actually would be a step backward from 65.5 percent of the smaller DGR pool. Yet Upshaw seems to feel accepting anything less than 60 percent would be a loss.But never mind those projections. Even under the current system the players get more money every year. The cap increases every year because the revenue does. Last year the cap was $85.5 million, and this year, even without an extension and a new revenue-sharing formula it was set at $94.5 million. That's $9 million more each team can spend.Since the players' share is a percentage, they're going to see increases every year, as long as revenues increase. And judging by the health of the league, that trend should continue.

More from the same article on possible impact of playing w/o a cap:

Beyond those specific issues, Upshaw also made some general points about the state of labor relations with the league, among them his belief that if there is no extension to the current CBA and the uncapped year comes into play in 2007, there would be no going back. The players would never accept a salary cap again. But I believe the absence of a salary cap actually would hurt the players more than benefit them.Players would not become unrestricted free agents until they had accrued six or more seasons. Currently players only need four accrued seasons to be eligible for unrestricted status. This would affect a lot of players from the 2002 and 2003 draft classes who normally would be receiving long-term extensions from their current teams or have the ability to hit the open market. As restricted free agents under the rules of the uncapped year, though, these players would have to play on a year-to-year contract for significantly less than they would get on the open market.Additionally, the rules for the uncapped year allow each team to use both its "franchise" and "transition" tags at the same time. Right now a team can use only one of those tags. In essence, if 32 teams tagged two players each, it would take the top 64 players off the open market and make them play on one-year contracts. This swings in favor of the clubs, who would be paying as they go without having to worry about future salary ramifications if a player's skills decline, or he suffer a career-ending injury or has any type of off-field issues the team does not want to deal with.So the wild spending spree that some people assume will come with an uncapped year actually might not be the reality. More than likely, players would be playing on one-year deals. Also, clubs would not have to contribute to the players' benefit package in 2007, either. I'm sure there are some owners who would be in favor of paying players one year at a time and not contributing to the benefits package.There is a lot a stake for both sides in the negotiations on an extension to the CBA, but in reality, the players could be hit harder than the owners if a deal is not reached. There are a lot of smart businessmen working on this negotiation. Hopefully they will be able to bridge the gaps to get an extension so we don't have to worry about all of these what-if scenarios.

 

[HobbesAB]

Its more than just Birk. Gene better make a move before this snowballs into something more:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor..._len&id=2352890

And, right now, it would seem that Upshaw has more urgency to upgrade the unity in his rank and file.

In the last two days, the one voice previously missing from the ongoing labor negotiations, that of the players, has been heard with more frequency. While lauding the advances that Upshaw has promulgated for the players over his long tenure, Miami defensive end and Dolphins player representative Kevin Carter reiterated during a Thursday appearance on The NFL Network the need to strike a deal. Minnesota Vikings center Matt Birk, in an interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune, used an especially unflattering term in laying blame on Upshaw for the current situation.

That doesn't quite qualify as an insurgency but clearly, there is some unrest in the ranks, both from players and agents.

 

[Mr. Vegas]

You are not going to blow to much smoke up Matt's ### when it comes to finacial or buisness situations.  His Harvard degree in Buisness puts him on a different playing field than your rank and file NFL player.  He was definilty off base calling Gene Upshaw a piece of *&$%. 

You're right. Upshaw has a lot of improvement to do before he qualifies for being merely a POS. lol @ squeezing the owner's jewels and screwing up the league over a 4% diff. GB Matt Birk for not just having the insight to see Upshaw's BS but not being afraid to call him on it. Publicly. About freaking time. Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)

On 'Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)'It's better then what Clark Newman said.

 

[DoctorDetroit]

You are not going to blow to much smoke up Matt's ### when it comes to finacial or buisness situations.  His Harvard degree in Buisness puts him on a different playing field than your rank and file NFL player.  He was definilty off base calling Gene Upshaw a piece of *&$%. 

You're right. Upshaw has a lot of improvement to do before he qualifies for being merely a POS. lol @ squeezing the owner's jewels and screwing up the league over a 4% diff. GB Matt Birk for not just having the insight to see Upshaw's BS but not being afraid to call him on it. Publicly. About freaking time. Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)

On 'Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)'It's better then what Clark Newman said.

Are you speaking Canadian?

 

[Mr. Vegas]

You are not going to blow to much smoke up Matt's ### when it comes to finacial or buisness situations.  His Harvard degree in Buisness puts him on a different playing field than your rank and file NFL player.  He was definilty off base calling Gene Upshaw a piece of *&$%. 

You're right. Upshaw has a lot of improvement to do before he qualifies for being merely a POS. lol @ squeezing the owner's jewels and screwing up the league over a 4% diff. GB Matt Birk for not just having the insight to see Upshaw's BS but not being afraid to call him on it. Publicly. About freaking time. Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)

On 'Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)'It's better then what Clark Newman said.

Are you speaking Canadian?

No,but why would any one write something and then say?'and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy'

It made as much sence as what I wrote.

 

[DoctorDetroit]

You are not going to blow to much smoke up Matt's ### when it comes to finacial or buisness situations.  His Harvard degree in Buisness puts him on a different playing field than your rank and file NFL player.  He was definilty off base calling Gene Upshaw a piece of *&$%. 

You're right. Upshaw has a lot of improvement to do before he qualifies for being merely a POS. lol @ squeezing the owner's jewels and screwing up the league over a 4% diff. GB Matt Birk for not just having the insight to see Upshaw's BS but not being afraid to call him on it. Publicly. About freaking time. Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)

On 'Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)'It's better then what Clark Newman said.

Are you speaking Canadian?

No,but why would any one write something and then say?'and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy'

It made as much sence as what I wrote.

I was referring to all of this stuff. I have nothing against Canadians; I like their gals. Back on topic as to avoid pissing in the Shark Pool, Matt Birk is very outspoken and he calls a spade a spade. From his perspective he is correct and although commendable, he does not see the big picture of a business owner that must run a 500 million dollar enterprise.

 

[Mr. Vegas]

You are not going to blow to much smoke up Matt's ### when it comes to finacial or buisness situations.  His Harvard degree in Buisness puts him on a different playing field than your rank and file NFL player.  He was definilty off base calling Gene Upshaw a piece of *&$%. 

You're right. Upshaw has a lot of improvement to do before he qualifies for being merely a POS. lol @ squeezing the owner's jewels and screwing up the league over a 4% diff. GB Matt Birk for not just having the insight to see Upshaw's BS but not being afraid to call him on it. Publicly. About freaking time. Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)

On 'Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)'It's better then what Clark Newman said.

Are you speaking Canadian?

No,but why would any one write something and then say?'and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy'

It made as much sence as what I wrote.

I was referring to all of this stuff. I have nothing against Canadians; I like their gals. Back on topic as to avoid pissing in the Shark Pool, Matt Birk is very outspoken and he calls a spade a spade. From his perspective he is correct and although commendable, he does not see the big picture of a business owner that must run a 500 million dollar enterprise.

The issue,I think is the big market Owners want no cap.The Little market Owners want a cap.

The cap was sent up for the little market Owners.

The NFL,is great with the cap. If they go to no cap.

Then the same teams will be in the playoffs ever year.

We don't want that now do we?

 

[DoctorDetroit]

You are not going to blow to much smoke up Matt's ### when it comes to finacial or buisness situations.  His Harvard degree in Buisness puts him on a different playing field than your rank and file NFL player.  He was definilty off base calling Gene Upshaw a piece of *&$%. 

You're right. Upshaw has a lot of improvement to do before he qualifies for being merely a POS. lol @ squeezing the owner's jewels and screwing up the league over a 4% diff. GB Matt Birk for not just having the insight to see Upshaw's BS but not being afraid to call him on it. Publicly. About freaking time. Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)

On 'Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)'It's better then what Clark Newman said.

Are you speaking Canadian?

No,but why would any one write something and then say?'and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy'

It made as much sence as what I wrote.

I was referring to all of this stuff. I have nothing against Canadians; I like their gals. Back on topic as to avoid pissing in the Shark Pool, Matt Birk is very outspoken and he calls a spade a spade. From his perspective he is correct and although commendable, he does not see the big picture of a business owner that must run a 500 million dollar enterprise.

The issue,I think is the big market Owners want no cap.The Little market Owners want a cap.

The cap was sent up for the little market Owners.

The NFL,is great with the cap. If they go to no cap.

Then the same teams will be in the playoffs ever year.

We don't want that now do we?

I think it has more to do with the revenue streams outside football operations. I think everyone wants a salary cap but the big market/wealthy owners (not always in a big market, e.g. Paul Allen) are not going to be effected as much if the players take more from the pie. These clubs like the Redskins, Cowboys, and Giants are going to make a killing anyway based on local revenue streams while the small market/not as rich owners of not as popular teams may actually not clear a whole lot of It's the middle class versus the rich. I think the players are just standing there and waiting for the parents to quit fighting so they can go outside and play.

 

[Mr. Vegas]

You are not going to blow to much smoke up Matt's ### when it comes to finacial or buisness situations.  His Harvard degree in Buisness puts him on a different playing field than your rank and file NFL player.  He was definilty off base calling Gene Upshaw a piece of *&$%. 

You're right. Upshaw has a lot of improvement to do before he qualifies for being merely a POS. lol @ squeezing the owner's jewels and screwing up the league over a 4% diff. GB Matt Birk for not just having the insight to see Upshaw's BS but not being afraid to call him on it. Publicly. About freaking time. Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)

On 'Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)'It's better then what Clark Newman said.

Are you speaking Canadian?

No,but why would any one write something and then say?'and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy'

It made as much sence as what I wrote.

I was referring to all of this stuff. I have nothing against Canadians; I like their gals. Back on topic as to avoid pissing in the Shark Pool, Matt Birk is very outspoken and he calls a spade a spade. From his perspective he is correct and although commendable, he does not see the big picture of a business owner that must run a 500 million dollar enterprise.

The issue,I think is the big market Owners want no cap.The Little market Owners want a cap.

The cap was sent up for the little market Owners.

The NFL,is great with the cap. If they go to no cap.

Then the same teams will be in the playoffs ever year.

We don't want that now do we?

I think it has more to do with the revenue streams outside football operations. I think everyone wants a salary cap but the big market/wealthy owners (not always in a big market, e.g. Paul Allen) are not going to be effected as much if the players take more from the pie. These clubs like the Redskins, Cowboys, and Giants are going to make a killing anyway based on local revenue streams while the small market/not as rich owners of not as popular teams may actually not clear a whole lot of It's the middle class versus the rich. I think the players are just standing there and waiting for the parents to quit fighting so they can go outside and play.

Wow I agree totally.

 

[DoctorDetroit]

You are not going to blow to much smoke up Matt's ### when it comes to finacial or buisness situations.  His Harvard degree in Buisness puts him on a different playing field than your rank and file NFL player.  He was definilty off base calling Gene Upshaw a piece of *&$%. 

You're right. Upshaw has a lot of improvement to do before he qualifies for being merely a POS. lol @ squeezing the owner's jewels and screwing up the league over a 4% diff. GB Matt Birk for not just having the insight to see Upshaw's BS but not being afraid to call him on it. Publicly. About freaking time. Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)

On 'Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)'It's better then what Clark Newman said.

Are you speaking Canadian?

No,but why would any one write something and then say?'and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy'

It made as much sence as what I wrote.

I was referring to all of this stuff. I have nothing against Canadians; I like their gals. Back on topic as to avoid pissing in the Shark Pool, Matt Birk is very outspoken and he calls a spade a spade. From his perspective he is correct and although commendable, he does not see the big picture of a business owner that must run a 500 million dollar enterprise.

The issue,I think is the big market Owners want no cap.The Little market Owners want a cap.

The cap was sent up for the little market Owners.

The NFL,is great with the cap. If they go to no cap.

Then the same teams will be in the playoffs ever year.

We don't want that now do we?

I think it has more to do with the revenue streams outside football operations. I think everyone wants a salary cap but the big market/wealthy owners (not always in a big market, e.g. Paul Allen) are not going to be effected as much if the players take more from the pie. These clubs like the Redskins, Cowboys, and Giants are going to make a killing anyway based on local revenue streams while the small market/not as rich owners of not as popular teams may actually not clear a whole lot of It's the middle class versus the rich. I think the players are just standing there and waiting for the parents to quit fighting so they can go outside and play.

Wow I agree totally.

I just hope I'm right and they can work this out. I could not handle a labor stoppage in the NFL. I'd freak the #### out!

 

[Mr. Vegas]

You are not going to blow to much smoke up Matt's ### when it comes to finacial or buisness situations.  His Harvard degree in Buisness puts him on a different playing field than your rank and file NFL player.  He was definilty off base calling Gene Upshaw a piece of *&$%. 

You're right. Upshaw has a lot of improvement to do before he qualifies for being merely a POS. lol @ squeezing the owner's jewels and screwing up the league over a 4% diff. GB Matt Birk for not just having the insight to see Upshaw's BS but not being afraid to call him on it. Publicly. About freaking time. Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)

On 'Bill Cosby would be proud (and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy)'It's better then what Clark Newman said.

Are you speaking Canadian?

No,but why would any one write something and then say?'and no, I don't really expect anyone to get the analogy'

It made as much sence as what I wrote.

I was referring to all of this stuff. I have nothing against Canadians; I like their gals. Back on topic as to avoid pissing in the Shark Pool, Matt Birk is very outspoken and he calls a spade a spade. From his perspective he is correct and although commendable, he does not see the big picture of a business owner that must run a 500 million dollar enterprise.

The issue,I think is the big market Owners want no cap.The Little market Owners want a cap.

The cap was sent up for the little market Owners.

The NFL,is great with the cap. If they go to no cap.

Then the same teams will be in the playoffs ever year.

We don't want that now do we?

I think it has more to do with the revenue streams outside football operations. I think everyone wants a salary cap but the big market/wealthy owners (not always in a big market, e.g. Paul Allen) are not going to be effected as much if the players take more from the pie. These clubs like the Redskins, Cowboys, and Giants are going to make a killing anyway based on local revenue streams while the small market/not as rich owners of not as popular teams may actually not clear a whole lot of It's the middle class versus the rich. I think the players are just standing there and waiting for the parents to quit fighting so they can go outside and play.

Wow I agree totally.

I just hope I'm right and they can work this out. I could not handle a labor stoppage in the NFL. I'd freak the #### out!

'I'd freak the #### out!'We all would that signs on here.

I was a huge Hockey fan,haven't watched a second this year and won't.

Hockey.

 

[fatness]

I think it has more to do with the revenue streams outside football operations. I think everyone wants a salary cap but the big market/wealthy owners (not always in a big market, e.g. Paul Allen) are not going to be effected as much if the players take more from the pie. These clubs like the Redskins, Cowboys, and Giants are going to make a killing anyway based on local revenue streams while the small market/not as rich owners of not as popular teams may actually not clear a whole lot of It's the middle class versus the rich. I think the players are just standing there and waiting for the parents to quit fighting so they can go outside and play.

And it's beginning to look like the owners waited too long to start trying to address their differences. It's very difficult to seem them coming to agreement by 6 pm today. They've waited to long to take this all seriously.

 

[fatness]

Let's see how this looks in retrospect.

Vikings' Birk rips NFL union boss Upshaw

‘What's going on right now is hurting all of us,’ says former Pro Bowler

Charles Dharapak / AP

Gene Upshaw, pictured, was the target of complaints by Minnesota Vikings center Matt Birk in a column in Friday's Minnesota Star-Tribune.

Minnesota Vikings center Matt Birk is not happy with the job being done by Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players' Association. Not at all.

Birk sounded off to columnist Mark Craig in Friday's edition of the Minnesota Star-Tribune.

"Don't put this in the paper ... no, wait, go ahead and put it in," Birk told Craig. "Gene Upshaw is a piece of (expletive). Too many guys in the league just accept whatever Gene says. I don't know why no one has called this guy out."

The former Pro Bowler believes the recent breakdown in negotiations between the NFL and the players' union is hurting the sport.

"It's a joke, it really is," Birk said in the paper. "Everyone is making money. A lot of money. You think anyone wants to hear about the money problems of the NFL owners or players? It's bad pub for the league. It's bad for all of us."

Birk, a Harvard graduate, says the prospects of a uncapped season — something that could happen if a deal is not struck before the end of this weekend — aren't good for everyone.

"When you go to those CBA meetings, you always feel like you're being sold something instead of being given the straight facts," Birk told the paper. "Through all the meetings leading up to this, it was always: 'The owners don't want an uncapped year. We'll get a deal, and if we don't, so what? There will be an uncapped year and there will be crazy money out there.'

"The reality is that's not the case. And you're seeing that it's not the leverage we were told it would be."

If there is no deal and the cap doesn’t increase, it would leave a glut of players on the free-agent market and many teams without much money to sign them. Next year, the final season of the contract, would be without a cap — and that would contain limitations that could hurt the players, such as raising the number of years of eligibility for free agency from four to six.

"And we'll lose some of our 401(k) and annuities, and some benefits, too," Birk said. "That's a huge deal to the younger guys making the minimum who might not have 10-year careers. Those are guys the union needs to look out for.

On the surface, the dispute is over percentage points — the union says it wants 60-plus percent of league revenues earmarked for the players; the owners are offering 56.2 percent. That amounts to approximately $10 million per team per year.

"Gene thinks we're making all this money because of Gene Upshaw," Birk told the paper. "No, we're making all of this money because of TV. This sport is huge, and what's going on right now is hurting all of us."

© 2006 NBC Sports.com

 

[Jason Wood]

Birk isn't afraid to speak his mind, but suffice to say he won't be in line to replace Troy Vincent as the head of the NFLPA anytime soon.