Owners pushing for right of refusal in CBA

[Blackanblue]

Although there had been early reports that any players with four accrued seasons and not under contract for 2011 could become unrestricted free agents under a new labor agreement, that might not be the case. Reports are now surfacing that NFL owners are now pushing for a right-of-first-refusal clause for 2011 in a new agreement. They want the clause to apply to three fourth- or fifth-year players per team.

If owners get their way, some current NFC South players could be limited in their potential to move because they have either four or five seasons. Among those players, are Carolina’s DeAngelo Williams and James Anderson, Tampa Bay’s Davin Joseph, Atlanta’s Tyson Clabo, Harvey Dahl, Justin Blalock and Stephen Nicholas, and New Orleans’ Roman Harper.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/41380/right-of-first-refusal-could-limit-de-pool

It would only be used in the FIRST year of the CBA, so it could slim your chances of landing Williams. :thumb:

[Frenchy180]

AWESOME. I also just read on the ticker that they left the tables today. And won't resume talks for another two weeks. YAYA so much for a CBA before July 4th.

You sure that wasn't the NBA? I know it's been throwing me off lately...

[-Rod-]

I don't mean to ruin the brief joy of a fan of a 2-win team, but I really doubt the players will accept such a stupid request from the owners. There won't be a CBA with this senseless, anti-competitive "right-of-first-refusal". There was a window to sign players before the lockout (Champ Bailey), to apply the franchise tag (Peyton Manning). The owners are dealing with a lawyer, not with Santa Claus.

[Jay3]

A right of first refusal is not far from UFA status. It means the player can gather offers from the market, and the incumbent team has to match the offer to keep the player.

It means the market will still drive the pay of these players way up.

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

I think that's asking too much. Players careers are too short to have to wait five years to test the free market.

[broncos SB2010]

I think that's asking too much. Players careers are too short to have to wait five years to test the free market.

from rotoworld

Representatives for the owners and players were still in negotiations after 10:00 CT Thursday night.
The talks are going on 14 hours, as both sides are finally showing a sense of urgency. By late afternoon, Mike Silver of Yahoo! Sports labeled Thursday's progress as "about a 2" on a scale of one to 10. Citing three people briefed on the negotiations, Judy Battista of the New York Times suggests a settlement won't be on the horizon until the week of July 10. Another source claims a deal could be finalized in 72 hours with "intense effort." We'll have a better read on the momentum if the sides meet again Friday.

[Hoserman117]

I don't want Williams anyways.... he's 28, expensive, and injury prone. Not my kinda RB.

[johnlimburg]

I don't want Williams anyways.... he's 28, expensive, and injury prone. Not my kinda RB.

I don't want him either. I like some of the UDFA's.

[Kyousukeneko]

I don't want him either. I like some of the UDFA's.

i like the idea of michael bush then three or four FA, including 2 break away guys and 2 rotational backs.

[johnlimburg]

i like the idea of michael bush then three or four FA, including 2 break away guys and 2 rotational backs.

I was thinking just 2 UDFA's. That would be enough camp bodies and competition.

Sign UDFA's Chad Spann and Damien Berry.

Knowshon Moreno - Correll Buckhalter - Lendale White - Lance Ball
Brandon Minor - Jeremiah Johnson - Chad Spann - Damien Berry

[japfaff]

I actually think that "right of first refusal" is going to pass. Just not like it is. I think it is going to be something that the players are going to have to give. But I say they are going to cap rookie contacts in $ and length to 3 years. And then ROFR will be for the 4th year only. In that sense it is good cause it gets rid of the crappy RFA tags and help players get a bit more cash. It also allows them to hit the market after their third season which is only fair to them......The only other option is to make this a total free market and do away with the draft....Then we would have total chaos cause good luck getting players away from south Florida

[Hoserman117]

I actually think that "right of first refusal" is going to pass. Just not like it is. I think it is going to be something that the players are going to have to give. But I say they are going to cap rookie contacts in $ and length to 3 years. And then ROFR will be for the 4th year only. In that sense it is good cause it gets rid of the crappy RFA tags and help players get a bit more cash. It also allows them to hit the market after their third season which is only fair to them......The only other option is to make this a total free market and do away with the draft....Then we would have total chaos cause good luck getting players away from south Florida

I don't see how that's the 'only other option'. Players have been giving up a good bit so far, I'm not sure why they'd also have to give this up.

[broncos SB2010]

I don't see how that's the 'only other option'. Players have been giving up a good bit so far, I'm not sure why they'd also have to give this up.

what have they given up?

[broncolee]

Generally speaking, I don't have a problem with what the owners reportedly want.

However, it does seem a little self serving since they are the ones that initiated the work stoppage.

For PR sake they might have to back off that stance.