After working into the wee hours of the morning, sources have confirmed that the NFL and NFLPA have not yet reached an agreement on terms for a new CBA, although negotiations continue. Once the two sides are in agreement, the new CBA will need to be ratified by a vote of the players.
The new league year is schedule to start at 4:01pm today but that would be unlikely if there is no CBA in place. Free Agents who signed new contracts last week will not be allowed to practice with their teams until the new CBA is approved.
Some of the key issues in the CBA negotiations have included drug testing, benefits, player conduct policy and disciplinary process.
Steelers’ safety Ryan Clark was cautious in his outlook when speaking with AP. “De Smith is still working,” Clark said of the NFLPA executive director, “and we’re trying to get this figured out. But it’s not an absolute that guys will be at practice tomorrow.”
Clark also commented on his concerns over the disciplinary process, “We feel like someone else should be on there; there should be some … type of way — actually someone who’s not on the NFL payroll.”
“A big issue, for us, especially, as a team, is Roger Goodell … being judge, jury and appeals system.”
Goodell’s view is diametrically opposed to Clark’s position. When asked if he’d be willing to permit an external body to review his decisions, Goodell said, “The answer to that is no, I’m not going to be open to that. I’m not going to hand off the brand and the reputation of the NFL to somebody who is not associated with the NFL. I promise you that. That is one of the number one jobs as a commissioner in my opinion.” His comments were reported by CarolinaGrowl.com.
Goodell then explained that this is his view and not necessarily in line with the teams that he works for, “Mr. Richardson doesn’t like this because he’s my boss, one of 32, but I have disciplinary power over them and have had the unfortunate experience of fining him too, by the way.” Richardson then held up two fingers and said, “Yes, twice.”
The players’ concerns include how HGH testing would be implemented as part of the drug testing program, who would oversee it, and what would constitute a fair appeals process. HGH typically requires blood testing, whereas the other substances that violate the league’s drug policy are tested by urine testing. Currently no U.S. professional sports league tests its players for HGH.
Dallas Cowboys player rep Jason Witten remained hopeful that a deal could be completed on time, but wasn’t surprised at the prospect of another delay. “We knew that was going to take a little bit of time (with) some of those issues,” Witten said. “But, gosh, a lot of work’s gone into it to get to this point; hate to see it slip.”
