Baumerjet's Unofficial NYJ Fan Forum

Madison WI –

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, citing a budget crisis, has asked for increases in the amount government workers pay toward their health benefits and pensions.

Walker, a Republican who reportedly received big bucks from Tea Party backers, also wants to essentially strip unions of their collective bargaining rights, with the exception of wages.

"If I have to choose between the demands of a few union leaders, particularly those leaders from outside of Wisconsin, or standing with the hard-working taxpayers of Wisconsin, I'm going to stand with the taxpayers," the Republican governor said on MSNBC'S "Morning Joe" on Tuesday.

So, what does all of this mean to the NFL & their adversaries, the NFLPA?

Should Wisconsin generate the needed votes in their state senate, all future collective bargaining agreements would be prohibited based on the law.  That would mean an end to all unions throughout the state, including the greater GREEN BAY area.

The Packers, owned by the people of Green Bay & managed by the City would have to abide by the ruling and could not take part in any existing or future contractual arbitrations with the NFLPA.  This would include any other union related negotiations.  Plain & simply put; The NFLPA would legally have no power or position in the state of Wisconsin.

On a larger scale, with this legal precedent, other states will in fact go after their unions in the same matter as Wisconsin.  A prime example of this is the state of New Jersey, whose governor Chris Christy is attempting to exacerbate the end of tenure to the NJEA, would jump at the chance to legally stop any future collective bargaining agreements throughout the state.  That would affect the New York Jets & the New York Giants and place an even greater tug on the necks of the NFLPA.

Now mind you, this also affects the Anti-Trust issues extended to the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS and MLB (Major League Baseball) by the federal government.  However, on May 25, 2010, the Federal Supreme Court Ruled in the case of American Needle Inc. Vs the NFL.

The initial case was thrown out at both the district and appellate court level with both court’s ruling that the NFL was a single entity — not a collection of 32 individual teams — and therefore could not violate antitrust laws.

Still, Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, in perhaps the final opinion asserted that the analyses of the lower courts were flawed. He wrote that each of the league’s 32 teams is an “independently owned and independently managed business.”

“To a firm making hats, the Saints and the Colts are two potentially competing suppliers of valuable trademarks,” Justice Stevens wrote. “When each NFL team licenses its intellectual property, it is not pursuing the ‘common interests of the whole’ league but is instead pursuing interests of each ‘corporation itself.’

“Decisions by NFL teams to license their separately owned trademarks collectively and to only one vendor are decisions that ‘deprive the marketplace of independent centers of decision making,’ and therefore of actual or potential competition.

So how does this change in Wisconsin affect the NFL?

It asserts that with the Supreme Court’s Ruling that the NFL is in fact not a monopoly; They (NFL) cannot negotiate as a group and therefore will make it easier for the individual player to seek a class action suit against the NFL for mistreatment in negotiations of players potential when a contract has expired.

In simpler terms; The Plan “C” free agency agreement would also be null and void.

So, it now appears that the fate of the new CBA rests not only in the hands of the NFL and the NFLPA but in the hands of the Wisconsin State Senate as well…

…And that’s this Baumerjet’s Story…

With 14 days to go until the end of the current NFL/NFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) the NFL has struck 1st by filing an unfair practice charge against the NFLPA. 

In essence, the NFL strongly believes that the NFLPA has been delaying negotiations in order to attempt something not seen in negotiation history since the 1980’s – Decertification.

In 1992, the NFLPA did just that.  Former NY Jets’ Wide Receiver Freeman McNeil and seven other NFL players filed an ANTI-TRUST lawsuit against their teams and the NFL.  On September 11, 1992 – A jury ruled that Plan B free agency had a "harmful effect" on competition, that Plan B was too restrictive, and that the players suffered economic injury as a result.

It also restricted the NFL from seeking an appeal on the decision, unless they could prove that the NFLPA was not decertified prior to the filing.

Which leads us to the current problem – The NFL can only believe that the NFLPA plans to dissolve itself as a union any time after March 4, 2010.  By doing so, the NFL cannot bargain a new CBA when there is not a collective agent for the players.

It will also give the players the larger bargaining chip when it comes to any type of negotiation:  An ANTI-TRUST LAWSUIT.

A situation that the NFL does not want, should they (NFL) attempt to lock out its Non-Union players.  A move that was originally employed by the late Gene Upshaw in the 1992-93 season, which lead to the original lock-out by the NFL.

Also, the biggest negotiation will be over an expansion of the NFL season from 16 to 18 regular season games each year.

As a result, the NFL pre-season will be condensed from 4 scrimmages to 2.

Now mind you, EVERY team in the NFL forces their season ticket holders to pay for the PRE-SEASON at full price/no discounts - NO SPECIAL PRICING!

So it is not for this type of revenue that the NFL owners want in an 18 game season...

Here's the real story in respect to all sides in the negotiations - IT'S ALL ABOUT REVENUE - TV REVENUE...

An 18 game season can add millions in revenue for 32 additional nationally televised games.

It can also attract larger crowds for more money in locations that would not take the original 16 game season away from the season ticket holder.

In the last 3 years Wembley Stadium has sold out 100,000 + seats for each of the NFL games played there.

The attitude of the NFL is this - since NFL Europe & the development of NFL Asia fell through due to lack of sales, the "Carrot" so to speak could be actual NFL games - seen throughout the world on ESPN/Europa, ESPN/Brazil, ESPN/Asia, ESPN/Australia& ESPN/Deportes could increase demand - if they are played in Mexico, Central America, South America, Australia, New Zealand and etc...

Everyone has to remember that the NFL is a MONEY MAKING COMPANY and not just a fan sport. Revenue is what supports its business.

I really cannot wait to see the New York Jets play the San Francisco 49'rs at Maracombe Stadium, the home of the 2014 World Cup Finals and the 2016 Olympic Games.

Just think about it - and NFL game in fronto of 85,000 regular seats - not counting "Standing Room Only" or stadium boxes, which would add an additional 30,000 fans all screaming in Portuguese "J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS!"
 
Still, without a new CBA, that’s just a probable future…

The NFLPA wants their players to get a larger part of the Television revenue and this, along with a possible salary cap for rookies, changes in the retirement issues for both existing and semi-retired players will make this off season more of a soap opera to the very people who pay both the player and owner’s salaries – the fans…

…And that’s this Baumerjet’s story…

With a Superbowl win, should Ben Roethlisberger be exonerated from the alleged sexual misbehavior issues that he has been accused of?  I really do not think so.

The media, prior to the AFC championship game and pre Superbowl reports, have been constantly attempting to exonerate Roethlisberger from the very accusations that were made this past post season. 

Though he has never been formally charged with any crime, he still was placed off the Steelers’ roster for the 1^st 4 games of the 2010-2011 season.  Yet the media would like you to forget that…

I have even heard NFL Hall of Fame players, now full time media consultants state that with a win in the AFC Championships, “Big Ben” has been exonerated of any type of alleged misconduct?

 Really?!!

When Commissioner Roger Goodell initially charged Ben Roethlisberger with misconduct, he gave him a 6 game suspension based on a private investigation made by the NFL.  One must speculate that the findings, which have never been released to the media, must have shown some type of corroborating evidence that could have been perceived as a potential legal issue for not just “BIG BEN” but to the NFL as well.  If not, the judgment by the Commissioner’s office should not have been as severe as it was.

Even when at 1^st the Rooney family, owners of the Pittsburgh Steelers attempted to make this an “In House” issue and offered to suspend Roethlisberger based on their own judgement.   The Commissioner refused & stated that the NFL could be the only one to pass judgment.

“Ben Roethlisberger showed a pattern of behavior that damaged the integrity of the game,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stated on April 23, 2010.

 “We’ve established there’s a pattern,” Goodell told the Associated Press Sports Editors in a meeting at his Park Ave. offices. “We go back through all the incidents and try to understand is there any kind of pattern, and we have enough information to believe he’s not making sound judgments at critical points.”

Still, in the latter portion of the pre season and at the request of the Rooney Family, Commissioner Goodell lowered that suspension to only 4 games, if he underwent some type of therapy. 

But that would have meant there was some type of incriminating evidence…

Then there’s the response of Wilkinson County, Ga., District Attorney Fred Bright at a press conference in April of 2010.  “There just wasn’t enough evidence to press charges.”

 “But if he were my son, the best way I could answer it would be, ‘Ben, grow up. You’re supposed to stand for something.’ ”

THEN WHY WOULD THE NFL STILL PUT HIM ON A FOUR-GAME SUSPENSION BASED ON ACCUSATIONS?

Now mind you, I am a New York Jets fan, this is a Jets fan site and the Jets have just lost to the Steelers in the AFC championship game 24-19. 

THAT IS NOT THE POINT OF THIS ARTICLE

My very point is this – Players who are so much in the media, as well as those former players who report, must be accountable for their actions when they embellish a view of life into those we hold so dear – our children.

What kind of parent would we be if we didn’t expect more of our children’s heroes? 

Yes, they (players) are only human and yes some have “feet of clay.”

However, Football is their profession, not their private lives; it should never be related to their actions off the field.

…and that’s this Baumerjet’s Story…

Raiders 16 – Jets 13 

After knocking apart 2 teams in the last 3 weeks and scoring over 80 points, 82 to be correct, this game should have been a big win for Gang Green.  Unfortunately, the Oakland Raiders held Brett Favre to only 197 yards and only one rushing touchdown. A touchdown mind your that was not Thomas Jones’ but Leon Washington’s longest run of the day.

“I came here to win games like that,” Favre said after the game. “That’s what’s disappointing to me.”

Favre (21 of 38 for 197 yards and 2 Interceptions) seemed held back at times.  Especially in sets after each Interception.  Event to the point that when he did set himself up for a forward passing play, he would only throw slant passes to the middle of the field & not try to press himself to either Jericho Cotchrey (1 reception 0-yards) or Lavernious Coles (4 receptions 51-yards).  Most of his plays to the middle would be shared by either Chancey Stuckey (2 receptions 48-yards). Chris Baker (5 receptions 42-yards) or Leon Washington (3 receptions 21-yards).  

Even when Brad Smith (4 receptions 29-yards) came in to play, those plays resulted in1st down & then for some reason, they shifted the momentum of the drive to a conservative run offense and where held in their tracks.  Only with the help of Jay Feely in the 1^st & 4^th quarters aided the Jets into overtime with the Raiders.  

It's one of those situations where you keep giving a team [chances], keep letting them hang in there and they keep building confidence," Calvin Pace responded on Thursday. "They made more plays than us. We definitely had more than enough chances to pull that out, but we didn't."

Though Coach Mangini’s resolve when questioned about his offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer, seemed out of place with what was being put to them on the field.  Sure, for the 1^st time this season Thomas Jones ran for over 100-yards in a game.  Still, why not try to use that running gain as an advantage for the long ball, which Favre is best known for?   It would even take for Favre to call a time out in the 4^th quarter with 1^st & 10 on the 50-yard line to alter removing Brad Smith from the field in exchange for Chris Baker.  It was apparent that Brett was adamant in keeping Smith on the field in his discussions with Coach Mangini on the sidelines.   On the next play Favre would throw his longest reception of the game.  A 32-yard deep pass to Smith, who would be knocked down on Oakland’s 14 yard line.   Even the Defense also seemed stalled at times.

Oakland’s JaMarcus Russell (17 for 30, 203 yards & 1 touchdown) looked more like a John Elway caliber QB than that of a Quarterback on a 1-4 team (2-4 now).  For the 1^st time since week 3 the Jets secondary seemed stalled, especially when they had to deal with Oakland’s Javon Walker.  Walker (5 receptions 75-yards) took care of our secondary without incident, including the Oakland’s only touchdown.

It appears that it’s not really the players on the field that is the issue, it’s coaching as well.  Unless Coach Mangini can turn himself & his staff around by the time they play a lack lustered Kansas City Chiefs (1-5) at the Meadowlands this Sunday, it’s going to be a long .500 season.

If we lose this one, I will be the 1st to head straight to Florham Park with my torch & pitchfork!

…And that’s this Baumerjet’s Story.