falcon057 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Players 'doubt' CBA will be ratified by Thursday?Posted on: August 3, 2011 12:59 pmEdited on: August 3, 2011 1:12 pmScore: 115Posted by Will BrinsonFootball's been back for more than a week now. Well, kind of -- there's still the whole pesky notion of an actual CBA getting ratified in time for the beginning of the league year on Thursday, August 4.Per the language in the NFL's official 2011 NFL Calendar on August 4, "All 2011 contracts signed on or after July 26 become effective at 4:01 p.m. ET, assuming NFLPA has ratified the CBA." (Emphasis mine.)Reached for comment on Wednesday, the NFL also added emphasis to the language above."The League Year would start after the CBA is ratified by the players," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told CBSSports.com.It's been assumed by most folks that such a ratification is as good as done (though if you were smart and subscribed to the CBS Football Podcast, you'd already know it wasn't guaranteed after our convo with NFLPA spokesman George Atallah).But Steelers player rep Ryan Clark, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, spun a different story at Steelers' training camp on Wednesday.Bouchette notes on Twitter that Clark "doubts" the CBA will be "ratified in time for those vets not practicing to join teams" by the start of the league year on Thursday.Clark, according to Bouchette, says the "major holdup" with the ratification of the CBA "is Roger Goodell's disciplinary power." Bouchette doesn't note whether Clark's concerned with Goodell disciplining players who broke the personal conduct policy or whether the players are concerned with the actual disciplinary process going forward, but both could be considered obstacles in negotiation.Adding fuel to the fire? Steelers' cornerback William Gay, who signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh this offseason after hitting free agency, tweeted on Wednesday that he "probably wont be able to practice to tomorrow as accepted."He likely means expected, but spelling's not the issue here -- the problem is that right now the public thinks football's moving full steam towards starting the league year at 4:01 p.m. ET on Thursday and there is apparently still a speed bump or two to clear first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Falcon Jedi Knight Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 and the nightmare lockout continues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chifalc Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 PLayers just can't let it go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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