Comments on: NFLPA’s new leader http://www.oscargamblesociety.com/nflpas-new-leader/ People don't think it be like it is, but it do. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:29:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.7 by: Tank http://www.oscargamblesociety.com/nflpas-new-leader/#comment-1604 Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:38:55 +0000 http://www.oscargamblesociety.com/nflpas-new-leader/#comment-1604 Indeed; Ricky Williams had the leverage to essentially write his own contract, and outsourced the job to... Master P. In fairness, maybe Tim Geithner was busy. Indeed; Ricky Williams had the leverage to essentially write his own contract, and outsourced the job to… Master P. In fairness, maybe Tim Geithner was busy.

]]> by: Cliffy http://www.oscargamblesociety.com/nflpas-new-leader/#comment-1603 Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:29:50 +0000 http://www.oscargamblesociety.com/nflpas-new-leader/#comment-1603 Good point/analogy re: Ricky and Master P. I'll concede it's possible the results could be just as disastrous for the NFLPA as they were for Ricky Williams. However, it still seems an unlikely possibility to me. Yes, DeMaurice Smith is an "outsider" like Master P, with no *specific* experience at his new job (like Master P). However, Smith is indeed a lawyer (unlike Master P), and has proven leadership skills that would seem transferable to his new job (unlike Master P). Plus, it seems unlikely that Smith could deliver a worse CBA than Upshaw did... although, Master P did manage to deliver a bad contract to a top player who seemingly should've had all the leverage (aside from the fact he was a high draft choice, the Saints traded their *entire* draft for him... ummm... that would seem to indicate that they were not going to let him walk away from the negotiating table without a deal that would *best* suit him i.e. guaranteed money and lots of it). Good point/analogy re: Ricky and Master P. I’ll concede it’s possible the results could be just as disastrous for the NFLPA as they were for Ricky Williams. However, it still seems an unlikely possibility to me. Yes, DeMaurice Smith is an “outsider” like Master P, with no *specific* experience at his new job (like Master P). However, Smith is indeed a lawyer (unlike Master P), and has proven leadership skills that would seem transferable to his new job (unlike Master P). Plus, it seems unlikely that Smith could deliver a worse CBA than Upshaw did… although, Master P did manage to deliver a bad contract to a top player who seemingly should’ve had all the leverage (aside from the fact he was a high draft choice, the Saints traded their *entire* draft for him… ummm… that would seem to indicate that they were not going to let him walk away from the negotiating table without a deal that would *best* suit him i.e. guaranteed money and lots of it).

]]> by: Cliffy http://www.oscargamblesociety.com/nflpas-new-leader/#comment-1602 Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:25:14 +0000 http://www.oscargamblesociety.com/nflpas-new-leader/#comment-1602 And Tank replied: I think it could go either way; it could be a masterstroke to bring an outsider into a dysfunctional organization, or it could be Ricky Williams hiring Master P as his agent, writ large. Either way it belongs on OGS though. And Tank replied:

I think it could go either way; it could be a masterstroke to bring an outsider into a dysfunctional organization, or it could be Ricky Williams hiring Master P as his agent, writ large. Either way it belongs on OGS though.

]]> by: Cliffy http://www.oscargamblesociety.com/nflpas-new-leader/#comment-1601 Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:24:46 +0000 http://www.oscargamblesociety.com/nflpas-new-leader/#comment-1601 On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 9:01 PM, Clifford, Mike <MClifford@letica.com> wrote: I don't discount the fact that labor law experience would be beneficial - but I guess wonder how critical it actually is. First, I'd think he'd have staff on hand, no? He is a lawyer, so wouldn't he have paralegals, assistants, and/or other lawyers (presumably with labor law experience) to assist with the finer details. Second, the fact that he's an outsider may be a good thing. Tagliabue had Upshaw wrapped around his finger. Now it's perhaps doubtful that Vincent or Armstrong would've been as much a(n apparent) toadie as Upshaw - but I'd think an "outsider" may be just what that union needs. I don't believe Marvin Miller or Donald Fehr were MLB insiders, were they? Third, the article specifies his communication skills... to me, that's a very important trait for a leader. The current NFLPA is indeed a joke - but this guy is an accomplished lawyer... he's not an old offensive lineman with no labor law experience. And why exactly would we want ex-players who were reps in the joke of an NFLPA under Upshaw? If they have thoughts an ideas, they can express them to the new leader - and if he *is* an effective leader, he'll take their thoughts and suggestions under advisement... and then put his lawyering skills to work against the owners. I disagree, Gonzo... I think this is a great move for the NFLPA. He seems to be quite the opposite of what Gene Upshaw was coming into the job... to me, that seems to be a good thing. P.S. Why isn't this on OGS? [Ed. note: Um... it is now, of course.] On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 9:01 PM, Clifford, Mike wrote:

I don’t discount the fact that labor law experience would be beneficial - but I guess wonder how critical it actually is. First, I’d think he’d have staff on hand, no? He is a lawyer, so wouldn’t he have paralegals, assistants, and/or other lawyers (presumably with labor law experience) to assist with the finer details. Second, the fact that he’s an outsider may be a good thing. Tagliabue had Upshaw wrapped around his finger. Now it’s perhaps doubtful that Vincent or Armstrong would’ve been as much a(n apparent) toadie as Upshaw - but I’d think an “outsider” may be just what that union needs. I don’t believe Marvin Miller or Donald Fehr were MLB insiders, were they? Third, the article specifies his communication skills… to me, that’s a very important trait for a leader.

The current NFLPA is indeed a joke - but this guy is an accomplished lawyer… he’s not an old offensive lineman with no labor law experience. And why exactly would we want ex-players who were reps in the joke of an NFLPA under Upshaw? If they have thoughts an ideas, they can express them to the new leader - and if he *is* an effective leader, he’ll take their thoughts and suggestions under advisement… and then put his lawyering skills to work against the owners.

I disagree, Gonzo… I think this is a great move for the NFLPA. He seems to be quite the opposite of what Gene Upshaw was coming into the job… to me, that seems to be a good thing.

P.S. Why isn’t this on OGS? [Ed. note: Um… it is now, of course.]

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