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Making tight ends meet By Rick Reilly ESPN.com You might be thinking: I'm on the owners' side in this lockout mess because NFL players are all spoiled, hat-backward millionaires who will no more miss a year's salary than they'll miss their eighth Lexus. OK, but maybe you should meet … … Brian Schaefering, Cleveland Browns defensive lineman. He has a wife, three kids -- all 8 and under -- and a rented house. He doesn't have a shoe deal or a Lloyd's of London policy or a super agent willing to float him till this is over. Yeah, he's got a safety net -- himself. "I'll do anything," says Schaefering, 27. "If I have to work for UPS, I will. I got a family to feed. I've paved roads, fixed roofs, done landscaping. I'm not better'n anybody else. I don't want any handouts. I'd be happy with $12 an hour if I could get it." You hear anything about Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wanting to run a road paver lately? "The problem is," Schaefering says, "who wants to hire a guy who may have to pack up and leave [for the NFL] a month or two into it?" So Schaefering and his wife are cutting back. They slashed their cable and cell phone bills and chopped their weekly date nights considerably. They used to get a babysitter, then catch dinner and a movie. "Now, it's put the kids to bed and slap in a DVD." You might be thinking: What the hell has he done with his money he has made so far in the NFL? Well, he went undrafted in 2008, barely made the practice squad in '09 and finally started nine games for the Browns last season, making $395,000. He says he netted just over $200,000 after taxes. And he had plenty of bills to pay going into last year. "I hear people joking around about this thing, but it's no joke," he says. "If this goes into the season, my wife might start panicking a little." You might be thinking: What about these $60,000 checks that went out this week to the players from the NFLPA's lockout war chest? That should pay for a few babysitters, right? True, but maybe you should meet … … former Air Force star Chad Hall, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver. Hall, 24, isn't getting any $60,000. Since transforming himself from an F-16 mechanic into a modern-day "Invincible" with the Eagles, 5-foot-8 Hall hasn't exactly hit the Lotto. He was on the team for only 11 games, so he got the minimum salary, prorated. The most he'll get from the lockout fund is "about $10,000," he says. Now, he's training friends' kids for whatever they want to pay him -- "I don't really charge a set fee" -- and trying to open a wings restaurant in Atlanta with his sister's boyfriend, Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford. "If we don't have a season, I'll be waiting tables and bartending there," he says. "Plus, my uncle says he has a plumbing job for me. Pays $15 an hour, so that's not bad." You think Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen will be asking "BBQ or teriyaki?" anytime soon? You might be thinking: I'm supposed to feel sorry for these guys? At least they had a year of making $400,000. Try making $40,000!" I guess so, but maybe you should meet … … University of Wisconsin All-American lineman John Moffitt. Moffitt is a projected early- to middle-round draft choice, a can't-miss NFL starter who "will make plenty of Pro Bowls once he's signed," says his agent, Mike George. The problem is, what if he never gets signed? "I saw some Girl Scouts selling cookies the other day," Moffitt says. "Maybe I could try that?" Moffitt's got no job and no endorsement deals -- "Nobody wants to see my face on anything," he says -- and "my parents stopped sending my allowance." So George is paying for training and living expenses until something breaks. After that? "Well, my dad paints houses in Guilford, Conn.," he says. "I think he'd maybe take me on doing that. But it's kind of hard right now. I hope it doesn't come to that." You hear anything about any NFL owners hitting up their dads lately? Plus, staying in top physical shape is a full-time job. "It's not like they can do that and work at Macy's at the same time," George says. They might have to. Eagles lineman Winston Justice has opened a coffee shop. Teammate Owen Schmitt might student teach. Browns backup WR Rod Windsor is playing for the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League, where some players are making as little as $400 per game. That barely covers the Advil. And then there's this: ThePostGame.com recently reported that an estimated 180 NFL players might have signed for "lockout loans," at rates that can climb over 30 percent upon default, to make ends meet. Not just dumb, desperate. You might be thinking: So throw these guys a freaking telethon! I don't care. Tell them to stop bitching. The rest of us have real jobs! I guess. But remember, the players aren't the ones bitching. Among the four big pro sports in this country, these guys picked the one that pays the least money, lasts the fewest years and wrecks the most bodies. They're fine with that. It's the owners who have taken the football and gone home. It's the owners who want a billion dollars back from the deal they have now. It's the owners who want two more games from the players for nothing. And not a single owner is contemplating roofing at $12 an hour. So, if you're still thinking you're on the owners' side in this? Then you're not thinking at all. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=6388708Sorry, but I find this to be a little ridiculous. Schafering clears 200K last year in salary and still has to cut back on expenses?
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Sorry, but I find this to be a little ridiculous. Schafering clears 200K last year in salary and still has to cut back on expenses?
So, since he made 200k last year, he shouldn't have any expenses this year?
I am unfamiliar with this feeling of optimism
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Moffitt is a projected early- to middle-round draft choice, a can't-miss NFL starter who "will make plenty of Pro Bowls once he's signed," says his agent, Mike George.
The problem is, what if he never gets signed?
Ummm.... then he goes to work like the rest of us?
I hope they weren't looking for sympathy with a line like that.
We don't have to agree with each other, to respect each others opinion.
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No sympathy at all here.
Schaefering cleared after taxes more than I'll make before taxes over the next few years.... if he can't find a way to have that last him beyond this coming autumn that's his own damned fault.
This is just a B.S. article aimed at building sympathy for the players, as proven by the stupid comment about Jerry Jones not seeking to pave roads.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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This type of article makes me mad. Dont these guys graduate college with degrees? Us your education. Some will point out theat they dont graduate or there degree is a joke. Than maybe they should take there schooling more seriously then, especially with the short careers NFL players have, They are going to have to join the work force eventually. Im sick of guys who clear 200k bithching... for some people that is 5-8 yeras worth of wages. Players, to me are over paid babies, who maybe it will be in there best intrest to work for $12 an hour, as a reality check. I have no sympathy for the players. We love our teams first, players come and go so quit complaining and get back on the field. Ps if this was a little ranty my bad.
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No sympathy at all here.
Schaefering cleared after taxes more than I'll make before taxes over the next few years.... if he can't find a way to have that last him beyond this coming autumn that's his own damned fault.
This is just a B.S. article aimed at building sympathy for the players, as proven by the stupid comment about Jerry Jones not seeking to pave roads.
My thoughts as well. I mean, these players all knew this was coming.. Maybe for the last what, 2 years they were aware this could happen.
If they didn't save for it, too bad,., I mean, i don't want to see them suffer anymore than I want to see anyone else suffer.. But Geesh.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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"If we don't have a season, I'll be waiting tables and bartending there," he says. "Plus, my uncle says he has a plumbing job for me. Pays $15 an hour, so that's not bad."
Damn right that's not bad. The players need to learn that they have absolutely no entitlement to anything. The money, the league and the teams belong to the owners... the players are nothing more than the hired help.
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You think Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen will be asking "BBQ or teriyaki?" anytime soon?
And, the point is?????
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You might be thinking: I'm supposed to feel sorry for these guys? At least they had a year of making $400,000. Try making $40,000!"
I guess so, but maybe you should meet …
… University of Wisconsin All-American lineman John Moffitt.
Moffitt is a projected early- to middle-round draft choice, a can't-miss NFL starter who "will make plenty of Pro Bowls once he's signed," says his agent, Mike George.
The problem is, what if he never gets signed?
What if he never gets signed?? Serisouly?
How about this: how about he takes responsibility for his own life and goes out and gets a job in the field that he got his degree for - just like every other person that attended the same school he did??
How about he returns to school? How about he takes it upon himself to build his own business that earns him the money he wants without him having to rely on working for some billionaire that he can't agree with?
How about he mans up and accepts that the door to easy street closed and he has to find another way to earn a living?
This article really just makes me want to choke the author.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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Moffitt is a projected early- to middle-round draft choice, a can't-miss NFL starter who "will make plenty of Pro Bowls once he's signed," says his agent, Mike George.
The problem is, what if he never gets signed?
Ummm.... then he goes to work like the rest of us?
I hope they weren't looking for sympathy with a line like that.
I reckon I'm not going to be very popular here... but what if you got to the age of 22 coming out of college and the career you had worked so hard to be a part of was no longer a career option? Sure, you could go back to school and retrain, you could bag groceries.. you could do lots of stuff and that is what most people would do, in fact that is exactly what Shaf said he would do.. that doesn't mean you would be happy about it.
I feel bad for the players, not quite as bad as the writer who seems to place all of the blame on the owners simply because they have more money.. that is the problem with the article, it is written from the popular stance that the person with the most money should just suck it and and admit they are always wrong.... which I don't buy at all.
yebat' Putin
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This article really just makes me want to choke the author.
Rick Reilly is a freaking idiot ... can't stand most of his articles (and that's when I happen to accidently read one). Plus he always acts so condesending if you happen to disagree with his opinion.
The players better hope this things gets resolved soon. Originally, every time they opened their own mouth, they just made themselves look worse ... now they've got moron sport-writers doing it for them. 
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Oh, there's no doubt at all that it would suck to have that happen. I'd be frustrated and angry as hell - to say the least.
But as you pointed out, the angle that this article is written from is just asinine.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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If I were the players, I'd be taking up collections to pay this guy to not be on my side 
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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I agree with you, DC. I don't really like the owners, but it doesn't have to do with the fact that they're rich and I'm not. I just don't like them. Then again, that's just because I can't stand Jerry Jones, so therefore, anyone in a similar position gets my loathing, too.  I guess my take on this is like this. Schaefering brought home $200,000 last year after taxes. But, how much has he brought home THIS year? Now, I understand that people are saying he should have put money aside in a "rainy day" fund. I agree 100% with that. But, how much would he have been able to put aside and still paid his expenses last year? If the guy's living in a 5,000 sq. ft. rented house and driving around in a Bentley, then, yeah, tough to feel bad for him. But, if he's living in a modest house with modest cars and not a ton of superfluous expenses, he's going to be hurting this year. Let's not punish the guy just because LAST YEAR he made good money (unless he foolishly squandered it, in which case I've got no sympathy for him). But, nowhere in the article does it say that he threw it all away on strippers and booze. And, he's probably right. There aren't many jobs out there (short of McDonald's type jobs that likely wouldn't support his family anyway) that would take a guy knowing he could get called back to his *other* job at any time. Hey, we shouldn't be bashing the guy, if you think about it. He said he's willing to do any kind of job to make ends meet, just that he's having a tough time landing a job. Isn't that really all we ask? Try your hardest to find a job? As for the other guys, I hope they have other skills so, if a pro career doesn't work out, they have something to fall back on. Heck, that's really been the case anytime, not just this year. A lot of guys get drafted and never make the team. They have to fall back on something. JMHO
I am unfamiliar with this feeling of optimism
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The owners opted out of the contract after the 2007 season, I believe. I try not to begrudge the money anybody makes, but it isn't as if they didn't know this was coming. If it were me, I would have started re-aligning my expenses and looking into contingency plans in 2008. Not 2010. :: shrug ::
[color:"white"]"Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."
-- Mark Twain [/color]
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I reckon I'm not going to be very popular here... but what if you got to the age of 22 coming out of college and the career you had worked so hard to be a part of was no longer a career option? Sure, you could go back to school and retrain, you could bag groceries.. you could do lots of stuff and that is what most people would do, in fact that is exactly what Shaf said he would do.. that doesn't mean you would be happy about it.
While my situation isn't quite the same (more versatile of a degree) ... that's very similar to what I faced last year.. graduated and was told by half of my employers I was overqualified in this workforce, but then was told by the other half that I didn't actually have enough work experience for an entry level job ... 
The only difference is I made cuts to my budget and found ways to get by without going to the media and complaining about how tough it is. Now I don't have children, but I do have student loan debt which is close to 6 figures. I have no doubt in my mind that if I had made 395,000.00 , I could survive for at LEAST a decade. That's close to 40k per year not even counting interest plus any other money that I would make on the side. Hell even a minimum wage job would give you some benefits and insurance, and would also give you another 15k per year (7.50*40 = $300 / week ... *50 weeks worked is $15,000.00). Add that to your 40,000.00 and you STILL pulled in $55,000 for the year.
That's not accounting for guys who made more, who don't have extra from bonuses or endorsements, who didn't get the money paid out by the league like DeMarcus Ware's 60k (or whatever it was), and also doesn't count the fact that a few teammates could live together and pull their resources on things like rent and bills to save more money. Or, if they have a spouse then they can also count on the income of their spouse as well.
Things like this make me side with the owners so much more.
"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things."
@pstu24
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I feel bad for the players who were quoted in this article.
Just read their quotes and they are just saying what they will do to get by through the lockout. Nothing out of the ordinary. Scaling back expenses is just something any of us would do and it doesn't mean that they don't have enough to make it through the season. Perhaps they should be smart enough to know anything they say like that will be taken poorly.
The author is the true idiot here (and the players who are taking out those silly loans of course).
#gmstrong
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I reckon I'm not going to be very popular here... but what if you got to the age of 22 coming out of college and the career you had worked so hard to be a part of was no longer a career option?
I wanted to be an architect. It didn't work out, so on my way to being an IT guy, I washed dishes, pumped gas, bused tables, drove a truck, a forklift, did sales, and eventually IT.
Anyone counting on an NFL career before you even get there is someone who was never shown reality, and someone who most likely missed the chance/probability chapter in math.
If this guy is banking everything he has on the NFL with no backup plan, well ain't that a b.....
We don't have to agree with each other, to respect each others opinion.
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While my situation isn't quite the same (more versatile of a degree) ... that's very similar to what I faced last year.. graduated and was told by half of my employers I was overqualified in this workforce, but then was told by the other half that I didn't actually have enough work experience for an entry level job ...
I had the exact same situation a few years back. Making only a fraction of what he made, I was able to survive for a good year and a half, before I eventually got a job outside my field to pay the bills.
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Rick Reilly is a freaking idiot ... can't stand most of his articles (and that's when I happen to accidently read one).
Damn, I was wondering why the article made me so upset. I skipped to reading it before I read who wrote it. He's a jackass. I would delete this thread.
![[Linked Image]](http://www.dawgtalkers.net/uploads/Punchsmack/punch.gif) “...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
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The only difference is I made cuts to my budget and found ways to get by without going to the media and complaining about how tough it is.
I don't see anywhere in this article where anybody said they shouldn't have to make cuts to their budget or find a way to get by... I also doubt they went to the media, it's much more likely that the media came to them and they just responded to the questions asked...
That said, a lot of guys just like you WOULD go to the media except for the fact that nobody cares about you because you are not a compelling story. Heck, look at the teachers in Wisconsin, talk about a group crying to the media, you would think that contributing a small percentage to their own healthcare has reduced them to living in the streets. 
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I have no doubt in my mind that if I had made 395,000.00 , I could survive for at LEAST a decade. That's close to 40k per year not even counting interest plus any other money that I would make on the side. Hell even a minimum wage job would give you some benefits and insurance, and would also give you another 15k per year (7.50*40 = $300 / week ... *50 weeks worked is $15,000.00). Add that to your 40,000.00 and you STILL pulled in $55,000 for the year.
Survive? Probably if somebody told you that you had to.. but life isn't about just "surviving"... I'm not going to say you are full of crap but nobody makes $400K a year and maintains a $40K a year lifestyle.. Nobody. But perhaps you also missed the point where it says he actually brought home $200K... then there is the part where he paid off the debt he accumulated during the lean years just out of school on the practice squad...
yebat' Putin
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Right Right ... I think you misinterpreted where I was coming from. It's probably my fault simply in how I wrote/phrased it. I feel as though the framing for the players has been (whether or not they are the ones doing it or it is the media) that they are so "poor." Yet, as I have said on here before I have been unable to secure long term employment in with any company despite having a BS in Finance and Economics as well as an MBA. Yet instead of constantly complaining about it, I have found ways to work hard, pay the bills, and continue to do what I can to try to get ahead. I don't even want to bring up my situation specifically because I don't want to complain, but I'm only using it as a reference so you know where I am coming from and don't just assume I am anti capitalism or upset that players are making $X. .... My biggest point is that I am in a far worse position than they are and yet I am not complaining (nor would I) because I believe in myself and know that even if things aren't "ideal" that I still need to work regardless of whether it is working in a top flight organization, or being a 3rd shift janitor... whatever pays the bills and I know that hard work will get me ahead in the long run. And you are correct that I made the general assumption of the $400,000k figure. But, if he is counting on playing even in 2012, then he only needs enough money to bridge him until then. If he doesn't think that football is going to provide for him and his family for the long term, then maybe it's time to retire and pursue a long term career. You know... like the rest of us  . I do have sympathy for the players in the low level pay situation, but as I have said (and tried to maintain through my arguments) I simply find it difficult to find sympathy for a guy who made 20 times what I did last year on sticker price. That's my overall argument and while you don't have to agree, I would assume that you could see where I am coming from, especially if you realize/believe me when I say that I have a lot of student loan debt and have literally been working *any* job (janitorial, food services, tutoring, etc.) just to pay the bills.
"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things."
@pstu24
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I wanted to be an architect. It didn't work out, so on my way to being an IT guy, I washed dishes, pumped gas, bused tables, drove a truck, a forklift, did sales, and eventually IT.
The fact that you are not an architect is not because you did all of the work and became an architect and then somebody temporarily cancelled your profession. You are not an architect because, for whatever reason, you never achieved it. There is a difference.
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Anyone counting on an NFL career before you even get there is someone who was never shown reality, and someone who most likely missed the chance/probability chapter in math.
You are completely missing the point. These are guys who WERE THERE. The other guy was a projected high draft pick. These aren't potential 6th round guys in the 2012 draft whining about how they are going to live.. these guys were there and honestly, I think anybody painting them as irresponsible or entitled must have read a different article than the one I read.
yebat' Putin
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First off .... is this really Pure Football? I would have thought that this belonged in Tailgate.  Anyway ..... a lot of the younger players are going to be in trouble ... just like any young guy coming out of college, and getting some exclusive type. high paying job .... and then getting let go would be. It's actually worse for them, because they don't have unemployment compensation coming in. This will wind up hurting a lot of players .... especially if this causes a year to be lost. If a year is lost, then a lot of guys who would have had a 1 -3 year ... very short career (and chance at earning a lot of money) will now have lost that year entirely. Fringe guys wil be competing against 2 draft classes. The NFL using is going to be like the UAW ..... they lost thousands and thousands of jobs ..... but managed to hold onto some benefits and such ..... and claimed victory. Oh well .... as my signature says .. those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The NFLPA will have some highly paid members, while the rank and file guys will fall by the wayside.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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.. these guys were there and honestly, I think anybody painting them as irresponsible or entitled must have read a different article than the one I read.
Very true, but don't forget the other side of the equation. What about all of the people who work in the auto industry, the travel industry, the landline phone companies, the blockbuster video rentals, the clothing and garment industry, etc.
Entire industries have disappeared before and will continue to as we move forward in time. To assume that ANY industry is entirely safe is foolish. That's why people need to save during good times to ensure success in the bad.
"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things."
@pstu24
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Very true, but don't forget the other side of the equation. What about all of the people who work in the auto industry, the travel industry, the landline phone companies, the blockbuster video rentals, the clothing and garment industry, etc.
Entire industries have disappeared before and will continue to as we move forward in time. To assume that ANY industry is entirely safe is foolish. That's why people need to save during good times to ensure success in the bad.
I don't disagree with that one bit. I hope I didn't come across wrong because if one of these kids had an opportunity at a good free education and didn't make anything of it, then shame on them for now and into the future.. and if a guy made a few hundred grand a year even for just a year or two, he should have SOMETHING to live on for a while.. as others have said, EVERYBODY saw this coming.
i guess my biggest problem was that a lot of people were posting like these guys were whining and looking for sympathy and I just didn't see that in the article.. Shaf talking about paving roads, the other guy talking about working for his father who is a house painter.. sure that sucks compared to playing in the NFL but these guys seem ready and willing to do it if that's what it takes to ride this out...
yebat' Putin
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I look at it this way over any other way...
Lets pretend that the owner of the Cleveland Browns, one Mr. Randy Lerner loses 15 million on a season and the following year is also in the red perhaps a bigger amount because his losing team (or winning team) isnt drawing enough fans or general revenue for running the team...
If you can name me 1 player who would either take a pay cut, pay money to bail out the owner or ANYTHING that would help out the owner of his own team...or more so, help out the owner of a different team?
Would a guy like Albert Haynesworth offer to help his owner out if his team was going under? NEVER.
The owners put up all the money, the owners take all the risks, the owners pay all the expenses...If the players dont like the cut of money that theyre getting...strike and dont play and show the owners they need to pay out more money to these players.
I really feel that if EVERY single player playing in the NFL right now quit and never played another snap again for their entire lives, never coached, never did anything NFL related ever again...the NFL would find new different players and survive...Would it take a while for the quality to rebound? prolly...but it would be fine. There arent any NFL fans that like any collection of players over the team. And those that do, will just find a new team to like when they find a new collection of players. The NFL wont lose fans if the players that play now never play again. New players may even be more endearing to the fans because they would be playing for love of the game.
I get the risk on their bodies, and i understand the health risks involved...BUT, coal miners take health risks, construction workers take health risks, high rise builders take risks, anyone that works a job that has ANY health risks knows it when they take the job and should adjust their lifestyle to have money saved up for health problems, or pick a different career.
I have no sympathy for the players here. None. Just like everyone else...your football career is exactly that...a career. You work for an owner and you should conform to what the owner wants...just like everyone else. If you think youre above your owner or league...youre wrong.
If you think you deserve more money...strike and do something different until then.
"It has to start somewhere
It has to start somehow
What better place than here?
What better time than now?"
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Dawg Talker
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you're right ... I can agree there.
"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things."
@pstu24
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Legend
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Legend
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I agree with all you say except for the risk part, yes, the owners take the financial risk, but the players take a health risk. otherwise, 
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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This article made me care even less about them ending the lockout.
Welcome to our world playas.
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Legend
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Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
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Quote:
Quote:
Very true, but don't forget the other side of the equation. What about all of the people who work in the auto industry, the travel industry, the landline phone companies, the blockbuster video rentals, the clothing and garment industry, etc.
Entire industries have disappeared before and will continue to as we move forward in time. To assume that ANY industry is entirely safe is foolish. That's why people need to save during good times to ensure success in the bad.
I don't disagree with that one bit. I hope I didn't come across wrong because if one of these kids had an opportunity at a good free education and didn't make anything of it, then shame on them for now and into the future.. and if a guy made a few hundred grand a year even for just a year or two, he should have SOMETHING to live on for a while.. as others have said, EVERYBODY saw this coming.
i guess my biggest problem was that a lot of people were posting like these guys were whining and looking for sympathy and I just didn't see that in the article.. Shaf talking about paving roads, the other guy talking about working for his father who is a house painter.. sure that sucks compared to playing in the NFL but these guys seem ready and willing to do it if that's what it takes to ride this out...
My original comment was not directed at the draft prospect but at the authors wording of insinuation that something is being taken from him that he was promised. Which is entirely untrue, it's not like the NFL is shutting down, they will get drafted and eventually get contracts.
I guess I just found it interesting the author felt an NFL hopeful was anywhere in the same ballpark with current locked out players.
We don't have to agree with each other, to respect each others opinion.
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Wasn't Kurt Warner bagging groceries until he was given the opportunity?
I'll play the world's smallest fiddle for these guys right after I get done playing it for the government workers.
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they do take the health risk but what about the people that take dangerous jobs...they take health risks too but we dont hear about that.
Do coal miners want the coal miners union or the coal mine owner to pay for their lung cancer treatments? no...not a chance...
Do nuclear plant people want to pay for their treatment if they get radiation overexposure? no...
thats a part of the job you know going in. and if your job leads to potential health problems down the road...then you have 2 options...save up to pay for them or find a different job...period
"It has to start somewhere
It has to start somehow
What better place than here?
What better time than now?"
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Quote:
First off .... is this really Pure Football? I would have thought that this belonged in Tailgate.
Bing bada bing.
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In thought it started in Tailgate? Maybe I'm mistaken.
![[Linked Image from i75.photobucket.com]](http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/lrhinkle/d5eaf0b9-e429-4211-b53f-b843bfcf6aa9_zps2ac17420.jpg) #gmstrong
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Legend
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Legend
Joined: Dec 2006
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I don't begrudge the players or the owner, I'm just on the owners side, and I'm on the owners side because I look at it this way
If I owned a team worth 3 quarters of a billion dollars, 750 million, and owned a stadium worth 300 million dollars
and year by year, I had players who averge 5 years on a team, and year by year I HAVE to sign new draft picks and the players are already taking 50% of all operating revenues, and the new draft picks want a 10% increase each year , then in about 10-12 years
if there is no change, the players would reach ill guestimate 70% of all operating revenue,
and if Already at the 50% the top overall pick will want 16 million a year this year
and the Owner of a 3/4 of a billion dollar team with all the responsibiltiy that entails
getting a 32 share of 800 million a year is getting 25 million at the top and a player who could be the next Ryan leaf is going to want a 40 million per year contract (in 2018) if things keep progressing as they have been... over the next 7 years
I'm just saying if you own a 300 million dollar businesss and its as profitable as it's ever been you should clear more than the next first overall pick.
Because 20 years ago nobody(player) in the nfl was making a million dollars a year, at least in salary, and Baseball was the first sport, I think, to make players into multi-millionaires, baseball doesn't have a 53 roster, and players can play longer careers and all 53 don't make nearly the same amount
I'm saying the slotting system of spot drafted and last years contract plus 10% has to end for 1st round picks
I can't prove it but i'm saying if thats what the owners are saying, I tend to beleive them.
Imagine owning an NFL club which nets you 10 million a year, and look at the last 7 years of players drafted contracts.
Who says any NFL owner only nets 10 million a year from that club? I Don't know?
But if I owned a club, had 7 billion independently, and a club that netted 10 million a year, and a Qb who wanted 14 mill a year, then shut the league down
if I owned a club had 7 billion independently, and a club that netted 70 million a year and a Qb who wanted 14 million a year, then I'd be unhappy but not yet shut down the league.
The owners have shut down the league. I can only guess on the numbers.
Can Deshaun Watson play better for the Browns, than Baker Mayfield would have? ... Now the Games count.
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