It is no mystery to anyone who reads this site that I thought DeMaurice Smith was the wrong choice to represent the players from day one.  A man who never stepped on the field, and a man who was going to get paid and applauded no matter how the fight went down last off season.  My choice was Harry Carson,a Hall of Fame Player,  a man of principal, a man who had been fighting for players rights since the 70′s, and a gentleman respected by the owners, players, and the fans.

The players say they got what they wanted on their end……which after review amounts to less practice time, less contact, and less meeting time. And yet we hear of “Special Players Traing Camps” held privately.  Mark Sanchez and his Jets West, and other guys getting together on their own to get more time together. I thought you wanted LESS practice?  Yes, teams like Cleveland, and Buffalo must now spend 90% of their cap money instead of pocketing it, but that turns out to be a small victory.

The players did not get any sort of guaranteed contract situation.  You get hurt in the NFL, you get cut.  You want to sit out while renegotiating your deal, your fines are double what they used to be.  The players are also now finding out that The Office of The Commissioner, a position held by Roger Goodell, and hired by the owners, has absolute power.  The Office is now judge, jury, and executioner.  Sorry fellas….but you signed it.

“Obviously we don’t want Roger Goodell having absolute power,” Winston told Nate Davis of USA TODAY. “In a lot of this process, it seems like he does. It’s unfortunate. It seems like he’s running amok with it and deciding to do what he wants and it really doesn’t matter what the evidence says. Unfortunately, we don’t have an alternative option to appeal to.”

The sad part is that not many players took a minute to ask questions, to maybe leaf through the document, to inquire as to what are we getting, to ask their agent advice.  The rank and file were told it’s a good deal, we did the work, now sign it and move on.  Players complain constantly about the amount of fines…guess what guys…it’s written into the agreement.  The fine schedule is part of the new CBA, negotiated and agreed to by your representative.  Players complain that discipline is solely in the hands of the commissioner, which we know is not true.  There are committees of ex-players and yes lawyers that recommend the discipline to the Commissioner, and he announces the decision.  The appeal process is again written into the agreement.

My advice is to look a little more internally at your representation, and maybe ask your agent about what exactly the new CBA that you signed includes.  I think you might be surprised.

Sean Payton and the Saints, along with the NFL find themselves in unchartered territory with the suspensions of coaches, GM’s and soon to be multiple players, and like most places that enforce or institute new rules, not all the angles were figured out beforehand.  The Saints are said to be looking at a few options to “Replace” Payton as head coach.  It would be my thought that the NFL figured they would temporarily promote from within if the Saints decided to keep both Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis the G.M.  It seems the Benson family has decided to give each a second chance.  Sean has also been rumored  to be  doing some work at FOX this season.

Here’s My Take:  The Commissioner should write the Saints and Sean Payton a quick note stating that if the Saints Replace Peyton from outside the organization, then Sean will have been deemed to be “replaced” in the organization.  Also if Sean decides to leave the NFL and work for FOX, he will be deemed as no longer under the employ of the NFL or the Saints.  What does this accomplish?

Well if Sean is no longer employed by the league or the Saints….he will be deemed to have NOT served his suspension.  Just like when Manny Ramirez was suspended from MLB, and he decided to leave baseball….upon his return he still needed to serve his 50 game suspension. I say the same should apply here.  If Payton goes and works for FOX, then he needs to leave the NFL formally, afterall how can you have a suspended coach entering other teams facilities to do interviews.  How can he be allowed to have access to all the information given in confidence?  How can you ensure he wouldn’t be on the phone passing along info to the Saints?  Both The Saints and Payton should be forced to make a decision…..Keep Payton, promote from within, and have him serve his suspension, or have him step down, resign from the team and the NFL, and take the chance at getting re-hired while still needing to serve his season long suspension.  It’s only fair.