Posted: Wednesday, July 13, 2011, 1:22 PM | 8 comments |
 

Brady, Brees, Manning: time to get a deal done (Updated)
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Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning released a statement today urging a deal in the NFL's long-running lockout. Along with being three of the most prominent names in the league, they are all named plaintiffs in the players' anti-trust suit against NFL owners.

"We believe the overall proposal made by the players is fair for both sides and it is time to get this deal done. This is the time of year we as players turn our attention to the game on the field. We hope the owners feel the same way," read the statement, first released to the Associated Press.

The fact that such prominent players, so closely tied to the NFLPA, are talking deal is a clear sign that an agreement is within striking distance (to steal a favorite Andy Reid-ism).

But it doesn't necessarily mean it's imminent. This statement, coming with names attached, not from anonymous sources, puts some public pressure back on owners. Note that the quarterback triumvirate say that the players' proposal is a fair one. That's a not-very subtle way of saying "we've made a good offer, it's time for the other side to make some concessions to close the final gap."

UPDATE2: The league responded with a similar statement:

“We share the view that now is the time to reach an agreement so we can all get back to football and a full 2011 season. We are working hard with the players’ negotiating team every day so we can all get back to football and a full 2011 season. We are working hard with the players’ negotiating team every day to complete an agreement as soon as possible."

Earlier this week there were players casting doubt about how close a deal was -- a sign that they were not yet happy with what was on the table, despite anonymous sources saying an agreement was close.

But overall, on the record talk of a deal from plaintiffs with real power to settle the dispute is a positive sign: they wouldn't be talking deal if one wasn't within sight. The league seems to agree that something is close.

UPDATE1: Soon after the initial post came word that Brees will join the labor talks Thursday. His arrival seems like another indication that a possible endgame is near.
Posted by Jonathan Tamari @ 1:22 PM  Permalink | 8 comments
8
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:33 AM, 07/13/2011
    I think you have the analysis backwards. First, a deal cannot be close if the players feel they need to speak up. They would know if a deal was close and if a deal was close then they wouldn't have to say anything. Second, the pressure is clearly not on the owners. It seems like these players are getting nervous and thus they fell the need to speak up. So I think your analysis is completely wrong. The owners do not feel public pressure. They would be trying to gauge the feelings of the players. If the players are solid then the owners are pressured to do something. But if the owners sense the players are anxious then all they need to do is sit tight and wait for the players union to fall apart.
    — regulus6633
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:56 PM, 07/13/2011
    They release a statement? How about getting in touch with your legal team and TELLING them to get a deal done NOW?!?!?!??!

    This union wants everything and wants to negotiate nothing; they're lucky these owners can't stomach a fight or this union would eventually blow up! They want everything handed to them on a silver platter! Personally, I'd like to see it all shut down for a year; both sides I'd bet would work on a workable solution then!
    — JBinPA
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:51 PM, 07/13/2011
    fantasy statement by the three big wheels. For the love of the game and in light of the economic crisis facing our country, we players will bite the bullet and accept the changes offered by our employers like most Americans. We don't get what obscene fortunes we got before, but what we'll make is still obscene. So we'll play ball. And all players making over 10 milliion a year have agreed to dontate half of everything over a million more to the cities that house the teams and are having financial difficulties. And we promise not to moan about feeding our families anymore. Yours truly, benevolent and egalatarian jocks united.
    — retzlaff
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:51 PM, 07/13/2011
    Hey, where's Donovan in that elite group?
    — watsonmr
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:09 PM, 07/13/2011
    Donovan wants the lockout to go on so he doesn't get cut and have to play backup somewhere or get no offers and have to blame Rush Limbaugh or T.O., I saw him on youtube yesterday throwing up on his checkbook.
    — EagleEye61
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:18 PM, 07/13/2011
    The owners will not cave until they have a deal that makes them winners. They have the upper hand and believing in anything but this is foolish.
    — BirdinParadise
  • Comment removed.


8 comments
About Jeff McLane and Jonathan Tamari






Jeff McLane (left) began covering the Eagles in April 2009 after covering college sports and Penn State football in particular. Before that he wrote about high school sports and before that he worked in the mailroom (not quite). Find Jeff on Facebook and follow him on Twitter for instant updates on the Eagles.

Jonathan Tamari (right) began covering the Eagles in April 2010. He previously covered New Jersey state government and politics, reporting and writing about elections, policy debates and the many personalities that drive the Garden State, from three recent governors to the many musicians bidding to write the state song. He has been at the Inquirer since June 2008. Follow him on Twitter at @JonathanTamari.

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