Did anyone see the story on a move to oust Gene Upshaw from the NFLPA?

[PatsDeb]

I was in a bar having dinner last night & they played a story about a move afoot to oust Gene Upshaw from the NFLPA. Couldn't hear the sound & didn't know what the gist of the story was. Is it the retired players making noise again or is this legitimate?

I for one am a bit nervous about the league's ability to negotiate with the players with Goodell (for nothing) at the helm.

 

[GostkowSKI]

From what I had heard, Matt Stover (player rep from Baltimore) send out a sort of "mission statement" for the future of the players union, and in it they had plans to have a new union rep in place by March of 2009.

 

[Zeke_Mowatt]

From what I had heard, Matt Stover (player rep from Baltimore) send out a sort of "mission statement" for the future of the players union, and in it they had plans to have a new union rep in place by March of 2009.

Yes, but was also denied as a "mission" by Mawae (head of PU) so hard to say if it's one pissed off kicker, or a pissed off union coordinating something and trying to keep it quiet. They also mentioned that Upshaw only has like 3 years before mandatory retirement so it's not exactly a "pressing" issue

 

[PatsDeb]

Yes, but was also denied as a "mission" by Mawae (head of PU) so hard to say if it's one pissed off kicker, or a pissed off union coordinating something and trying to keep it quiet. They also mentioned that Upshaw only has like 3 years before mandatory retirement so it's not exactly a "pressing" issue

Except that 3 years is going to overlap the next contract between the union and the league. Did they say whether the mission statement was "accidentally leaked" or did Stover send it to the press?

 

[Minute30Left]

It seems that there is no specific reason yet through there are rumors that it's because Upshaw is being paid too much.

I've got to wonder whether new leadership would be demanding a better deal with the NFL.

If it's just a matter of getting better coverage for retired players I don't see too much wrong with it.

 

[Kontradiction]

Here's a better question: who cares?

 

[BrianPat]

I think it also has to do with Upshaw saying he'd stay beyond the mandatory retirement if he felt the Union needed him, just saw that yesterday

 

[questionman]

Profootballtalk.com has been running some items on the issue. From an outsider perspective, I can't stand Upshaw. He seems way too full of himself, almost like he is bigger than the group he represents. Not to mention his stance on help the former players.

 

[DaBruinz]

It seems that there is no specific reason yet through there are rumors that it's because Upshaw is being paid too much.

I've got to wonder whether new leadership would be demanding a better deal with the NFL.

If it's just a matter of getting better coverage for retired players I don't see too much wrong with it.

There's not much better than the deal they have now. The players get 65% of the money that the NFL makes. That is an absurd amount of money.

 

[DaBruinz]

Here's a better question: who cares?

You should since Upshaw is the one who could lead the players into a strike... And he's the one who has hurt negotiations more than helped.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

If there was going to be a problem between the players and the owners it won't be until after 2010 and the uncapped season, so i am not worried what will happen in 2011 till it arrives so fu(k Upshaw and the union right now.

 

[Kontradiction]

You should since Upshaw is the one who could lead the players into a strike... And he's the one who has hurt negotiations more than helped.

Did I say I actually liked Gene Upshaw? No, I didn't. You've put so many words in my mouth this past week alone that I gained 20 pounds and now have stretch marks. I'm just not beautiful anymore, DaBruinz!

On a serious note, I say that I don't care because I don't. Why don't I care? Because I think that there is ZERO chance of a strike happening in the NFL at this point. ZERO.

 

[PatsDeb]

After reading a story about it on Foxsports, it sounds like Matt Stover is trying to start a rebellion & union brass (Mawae? now there's a joke) is trying to put the kybash on him. Should be interesting (to all but Kontradiction) to see if he gains followers or will be twisting alone in the wind.

I also find Upshaw full of himself. I don't think he does enough for retired players (although I agree with someone here who said he got a good deal for current players), and brushes them aside like pesky mosquitos. Maybe Stover is picking up the torch because he is not that far from retirement, and as a kicker, he hasn't made the big bucks that some lucky members of the union enjoy.

 

[DaBruinz]

Did I say I actually liked Gene Upshaw? No, I didn't. You've put so many words in my mouth this past week alone that I gained 20 pounds and now have stretch marks. I'm just not beautiful anymore, DaBruinz!

On a serious note, I say that I don't care because I don't. Why don't I care? Because I think that there is ZERO chance of a strike happening in the NFL at this point. ZERO.

I'm sorry, where did I say that you liked Gene Upshaw? I didn't say that nor did I imply it. YOu really should just STFU for a change. YOU are the one who has a reading comprehension problem and who assumes that others are saying you said things.

As for you thinking there is a ZERO chance of a strike happening in the NFL, I have news for you. People thought there would be ZERO chance of a strike happening in the NHL too. The management at UPS didn't think that the union there would strike either. They said there was a ZERO chance.

Guess what, there is always a chance. And Upshaw said right after the current CBA was signed that the players would probably strike if the owners voided out the CBA after 3 years.

 

[Kontradiction]

I'm sorry, where did I say that you liked Gene Upshaw? I didn't say that nor did I imply it.

-I'm sorry, where did I say that you said that I said that I liked Gene Upshaw? Yeah, thought so. Punk.

YOu really should just STFU for a change. YOU are the one who has a reading comprehension problem and who assumes that others are saying you said things.

-You're absolutely right. Excellent logic. Nice post count.

As for you thinking there is a ZERO chance of a strike happening in the NFL, I have news for you. People thought there would be ZERO chance of a strike happening in the NHL too. The management at UPS didn't think that the union there would strike either. They said there was a ZERO chance.

Guess what, there is always a chance. And Upshaw said right after the current CBA was signed that the players would probably strike if the owners voided out the CBA after 3 years.

-The NHL is NOT the NFL when it comes to ratings and revenue. By the time this strike happens, Upshaw would be unseated anyway.

What's more ridiculous, the rumor that I assume that others are saying things or the fact that you have not yet figured out that I'm just playing with you? Learn to take a joke sometimes, man. You'll get a lot more enjoyment out of life.

 

[spacecrime]

-I'm sorry, where did I say that you said that I said that I liked Gene Upshaw? Yeah, thought so. Punk.

Actually, you did earlier, in the thread where you said there would be ZERO chance of a strike:

Did I say I actually liked Gene Upshaw? No, I didn't. You've put so many words in my mouth this past week alone ...

 

[Kontradiction]

Did I say I actually liked Gene Upshaw? No, I didn't. You've put so many words in my mouth this past week alone that I gained 20 pounds and now have stretch marks. I'm just not beautiful anymore, DaBruinz!

On a serious note, I say that I don't care because I don't. Why don't I care? Because I think that there is ZERO chance of a strike happening in the NFL at this point. ZERO.

Okay, please point out to me where I said that I like Gene Upshaw, spacecrime. This is your thread reference so I thought I would quote it for you.

EDIT:

I'm sorry, where did I say that you said that I said that I liked Gene Upshaw? Yeah, thought so. Punk.

You do realize that statement was completely tongue-in-cheek right? Or do you just not have much of a personality either?

 

[Doctor DDS]

I'm always surprised when Upshaw takes so much heat for the problems with the retired players. His job is to represent the current players. If they want to give up a piece of their pie to those who came before them then more power to them and Upshaw should push that position. I'm not aware of this being the case. I'm not sure I would be willing to give up any of my current benefits for prior employees of the company I work for. I don't see the millions of retired seniors willing to take a cut in Social Security benefits despite knowing that us younger workers are seriosuly under funded. They decide to maximize their benefits and I am sure I will do the same. I am not a fan of Upshaw but I think he gets undue heat on this issue.

 

[questionman]

On a serious note, I say that I don't care because I don't. Why don't I care? Because I think that there is ZERO chance of a strike happening in the NFL at this point. ZERO.

There is always a chance. Upshaw thinks he is the biggest thing going. Just look how much he gets paid and the comments he make about anyone that questions him. His ego could very well get in the way of a smooth negotiation.

 

[Kontradiction]

There is always a chance. Upshaw thinks he is the biggest thing going. Just look how much he gets paid and the comments he make about anyone that questions him. His ego could very well get in the way of a smooth negotiation.

I don't care how big his ego is. It's not bigger than the numbers that the NFL has been pulling in for the past decade.