Your New NFLPA Head: DeMaurice Smith

Yesterday in Hawaii the NFLPA elected Lawyer DeMaurice Smith as the new head of their union. Smith beat out former players Troy Vincent and Trace Armstrong, as well as sports attorney Davd Cornwell. Cornwell became a very late candidate after receiving written support from three player reps. 

Despite the fact he is not a former player, nor has any specific ties with the NFL, i think Smith is the right man for the job. As i detailed here, the NFLPA needs a strong leader heading into negotiations with the NFL owners over a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Smith appears to be that leader. 

According to reports, Smith had a very detailed and specific plan outlined for the direction he would like to see the NFLPA go in. Specifically, it mentioned health care and opportunities for former players, an issue that has been a very large criticism of the NFLPA in recent years. Smith also has assembled an impressive team of advisers to help him with the business side of things.

The NFLPA now turns their head towards the impending CBA negotiations. Smith has already stated his desire to get in touch with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as soon as possible, and has also mentioned his desire to avoid a lockout in 2011, which is a possibility if a new CBA is not agreed upon. You can read about what the main issues regarding the CBA will be here and here. 

As always, be paying close attention to how this proceeds. It has the potential to drastically affect the NFL as we know it...

NFL CBA: Problems Looming

One of my greatest passions in my sports life is the Minnesota Vikings, and by extension the NFL in general. As such, i tend to follow things in the NFL pretty closely, especially issues that have the possibility of greatly affecting the game as we know it. One such issue, that i believe is not getting near enough exposure, is the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations between the NFL Players Association (NFLPA or Union) and the owners.

I've detailed the actual negotiations and what the issues will be here and here, as well as what the untimely passing of Gene Upshaw means for the negotiations here and here. I've also wrote about how the StarCaps suspensions/court cases coming up will affect the negotiations here. All this is to say that i feel this is a very important issue as well as something i am keeping a very close eye on.

I'm writing this article to focus on what perhaps will be the most important issue facing the NFLPA heading into the negotiations with the owners: Who their leader will be.

With the passing of Gene Upshaw almost a year ago, the NFLPA appointed Titans Center Kevin Mawae as interim president, with the knowledge they would be electing a new president in their winter meetings, which begin next week in Hawaii. Since that time, the selection process has been narrowed down to three names: Former players Troy Vincent and Trace Armstrong, both of whom have served as Union President in the past, and lawyer DeMaurice Smith.

As stated in the story above, the reason for Smith's inclusion on the final ballot is more or less a fail safe; There are growing concerns the NFLPA will split on which former player to elect as union head. In that event, Smith will be looked at as a sort of impartial party. That fact alone underscores not only the seriousness of the process, but also the problems plaguing it. Vincent has been mired in controversy since almost the moment he was mentioned as a candidate, having been accused of lobbying for the job, and recruiting congressman to write letters on his behalf (without specifically mentioning him) that raised questions on the integrity of the process.

So, how does all this affect the actual CBA negotiations, which will be taking place later this summer? Well, it means everything. If the NFLPA comes to a quick, majority decision on their new head and comes out looking strong and together, they are in good shape for the negotiations. If, however, the NFLPA has trouble picking a new leader, is split on the decision, and comes out fighting within itself and fractured (as many think is very possible), the negotiations are in big, big trouble.

As i mentioned in my previous article about the steroid suspension and the CBA, any little thing that either the NFLPA or the owners can jump on and take advantage of, they will. If the Union is fractured, suddenly the owners go into the negotiations looking to 'win' instead of just compromise. With that attitude they are likely to upset the NFLPA, causing a stall in the negotiations.

And just as a reminder, if the NFLPA and the owners cannot come to an agreement and get a new CBA in place before the 2010 season, that season will be an uncapped year. What that means is that for that season, there will be no salary cap, much like how MLB operates. If the NFL goes one year without a cap, it will be very, very, very hard to ever get a salary cap back in place. That would be very bad for the NFL.

I know i harp on it a lot, but please pay attention next week to the NFLPA meetings, not just for who they elect, but how they get elected and how the Union comes out of the meetings. The NFL as we currently know it is in the balance...

Ahh, The Minnesota Vikings

Great article over on the WWL, from their NFC North blogger, Kevin Seifert. Seifert has been covering the Vikings for years, and has an interesting run-down of all the weird things that have happened to the Vikings over the last 7-8 years. Some pretty funny stuff on there, and even a couple things i had not heard of before, including the Tice contract situation. Check the article out here.

The Steroid Suspensions And How It Affects The NFL CBA

As i'm sure many or all of you have seen, the NFL this week came down hard on the so-called StarCaps players, suspending the six players who tested positive for a steroid masking agent they supposedly took over the summer. Those six players were all suspended for four games on Tuesday by Commissioner Goodell, meaning they will miss the remainder of the regular season. Of those four players, perhaps the highest profile are the two Williams' Brothers of the Vikings, Kevin and Pat (not actual brothers). The Williams' wall have been a key component in the Vikings ability to stop the run, and as such are key components to the success of the team.

The Williams' responded quickly, filing a lawsuit in a MN court seeking an injunction against the NFL, which was quickly granted by a judge. The crutch of their argument is that a) The banned substance was not listed on the bottle of the diuretic, StarCaps, that they took, and b) The NFL knew the substance was in the diuretic but failed to alert the players.

The judge who issued the injunction has promised a quick 'trial', where he would like to hear both sides of the argument from the players' and the NFL. Of course, here's where it gets interesting. The NFLPA has now joined in, throwing the remaining four players that were suspended into the lawsuit, setting up a potential showdown with the NFL.

While it seems like a showdown over this issue could ultimately be a small battle, it's a piece in the cog for the impending negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, which needs to be settled in the next two years. As i've detailed here and here, the importance of a new CBA before the 2010 season cannot be overestimated.

The NFLPA and the NFL figure to have many arguing points while negotiating a new CBA, not the least of which is a Rookie Pay Scale and the Revenue Sharing. Each point of contention along the way, such as the one looming over this StarCaps issue, creates a more hostile environment between the two organizations and more roadblocks to finding an agreement.

The NFL has a year and a half left to get a new CBA in place, and they have a lot of work left. Each time either the NFL or NFLPA flexes their muscle over any other issue, it serves only to create more obstacles to overcome. It should be interesting to see how things turn out...

NFL Picks

Holy hell i went 1-4 last week, a direct result of me throwing this together at the last moment. 24-23-3 on the year. I suck at this. 

Kansas City +3 over Buffalo (L)

I like the way KC has been playing, especially at home. And Buffalo is falling apart at the seams. 

Washington -3.5 over Seattle (L)

I'm a little worried that Clinton Portis may not play, but Seattle is terrible. 

New York Giants -3.5 over Arizona (W)

The Giants are too physical for the Cardinals, and the Arizona defense will not be able to stop the Giants ground game. That said, Arizona fucks me right in the ass every single time i pick a game the are involved in...

Indianapolis +3 over San Diego (W)

I have no idea how the Chargers are favored in this game. The Colts are really coming on. Though Bobby Sanders is out, which worries me a tad...

Tennessee -5.5 over New York Jets (L)

I'll be honest: I have no idea how this game will go. I've gone back and forth on who to pick. But everyone seem to be taking the Jets, so i'm going the opposite way. 

NFL Picks

23-19-3 on the year. Not exactly lighting up the scoreboard with my picks this year...

Miami -10.5 over Oakland (L)

Oakland is really, really bad. Especially on the road. 

Baltimore +7 over New York Giants (L)

I'm not sure the Ravens can win this, but i like them to keep it close and not get blown out. 

Green Bay -3.5 over Chicago (W)

I like the Packers at home, especially coming off the loss to the Vikings. Ha ha ha, i just had to point that out...

Kansas City +6 over New Orleans (L)

I like the Chiefs here. They've been playing well lately, and the weather in Arrowhead could affect the Saints passing game. 

Pittsburgh -5.5 over San Diego (L)

The Chargers haven't played great this year, especially on the road. 

NFL Picks

Much like with my college picks last week, ny NFL picks sucked last week. I blame it again on being on the road and not having proper time to prepare and research. Last week i went 1-3-1, putting my season record at 20-17-3. Not good enough. On to the picks!

Tampa Bay -9.5 over Kansas City (L)

The Chiefs are really, really bad.

Baltimore + 3 over Cleveland (W)

I understand the Browns have been playing better, but i still like the Ravens here.

St. Louis +3 over Arizona (L)

I'm beaking my own rule and picking a game involving the Cardinals, who manage to screw me over every time i pick their game. Still, i kinda like the Rams in this game.

Philadelphia -7 over Seattle (W)

The Seahawks are terrible. I've been saying this for years, but because of their crappy ass division they still manage to make the playoffs every year. Not anymore.

Pittsburgh +2 over Washington (W)

I'm still not sure i completely buy the Redskins, though Portis has been an absolute beast. They have to prove it to me Monday night, and i don't think they can.

NFL Picks

19-14-2 on the year after yet another 3-2 week. On to the picks!

New York Jets -14 over Kansas City (L)

Kansas City is on their third string quarterback. Plus they suck. 

Tampa Bay +1.5 over Dallas (L)

I saw absolutely nothing from Dallas last week that would lead me to believe they can win this game against a solid Bucs team. 

Carolina -5.5 over Arizona (L)

I think this has the potential to be an entertaining game, but Arizona is a different team on the road, and the Panther's defense is pretty good. 

Washington -8 over Detroit (Push)

The Lions are really, really bad. And still have Dan Orlovsky playing QB for them. 

Tennessee -4 over Indianapolis (W)

Indy has been struggling this year, and the Titan's defense is good.

NFL Picks

Ok, i'm sitting in the Pittsburgh on a 4 hour layover. This will be brief, so i can get back to drinking beer and watching football. Also, i probably won't be posting much, if at all this week. I'm in Philly and Pitt all week. 3-2 last week, 16-12-2 on the season. On to the picks!

Tennessee -9 over Kansas City (W)

San Diego (Pick 'Em) over Buffalo (L)

Baltimore +3 over Miami (W)

New York Giants -10.5 over San Francisco (W)

Indianapolis -2 over Green Bay (L)

NFL Picks

Much like with my college picks, i forgot to do a recap of my picks last week. For the record, i went 3-2, putting me at 13-10-2 on the season. Not terrible, not great. On to the picks!

New Orleans -7 over Oakland (W)

No way the Saints blow another game like they did against the Vikings on Monday. Look for the Saints to roll big. 

Houston -3 over Miami (L)

Houston might be the best 0-4 team i've ever seen. I don't think they go to o-5. 

Philadelphia -5 over San Francisco (W)

The Eagles are 2-3, and need a win to get their season back on track. San Francisco just isn't that good. 

Washington -14 over St. Louis (L)

This is a big line, but the Rams are terrible. Like, really, really terrible. 

Atlanta +3 over Chicago (W)

Atlanta plays much better at home than on the road. The Bear's haven't a meltdown game in a few week, they're due. 

NFL Picks

10-8-2 on the season. Had a couple of good weeks, let's keep it rolling. On to the picks!

San Diego -7 over Miami (L)

I don't care what Ronnie Brown did a couple weeks ago. The Chargers are a hungry team in need of wins. 

Carolina -10 over Kansas City (W)

I also don't care what Kansas City did against the Broncos last week. This is a whole other level of defense, and it's on the road. 

Buffalo +1.5 over Arizona (L)

This Arizona team has a bad secondary and is missing their best player. Buffalo is too physical for them. 

Tampa Bay +3.5 over Denver (W)

I went back and forth on this pick, admittedly. But Denver hasn't played a real defense yet, and the Bucs are pretty solid. That said, this is my least confidant pick of the week. 

New York Giants -7.5 over Seattle (W)

I don't buy Seattle, not for one bit. They are a bad football, and they won't fool me. I called Shaun Alexander's demise three years ago, and i called the Seahawks demise two years ago. They only made the playoffs because their division is the worst in football.

NFL Picks Review

Now that's what i call a good week, for the second week in a row. I was 1 point scored in the Denver-New Orleans game from being 4-1; instead i finished 3-1-1. Which puts my season record at 10-8-2. Two good weeks in a row have got me rolling, another one good put me in good shape...

NFL Picks

7-7-1 on the season. This is the week i get back on top of it! On to the picks!

Denver -10 over Kansas City (L)

Kansas City is really, really bad. And Denver scores a ton of points. That's a recipe for a cover.

Carolina -7 over Atlanta (W)

Yes, i realize Michael Turner is a stud. And yes, i realize Matt Ryan has been playing out of his mind. But Atlanta is on the road, and hasn't faced a defense like the Panthers. I expect the Panthers offense, which has been sluggish, to break out this week.

San Diego -8 over Oakland (W)

Oakland is not very good, and the Chargers are trying to get back to .500. They need this game, and i expect LT to dominate. The Raiders as an organization are a complete disaster, so i don't expect much out of them.

Buffalo -8 over St. Louis (W)

Much like it's neighbor to the West, St. Louis is really, really bad. Not to mention they benched their QB this week and the team is on the verge of a revolt. Buffalo is a pretty solid team, and even though they're on the road i think they cruise.

San Francisco - New Orleans over 48 (PUSH)

I keep saying that i don't usually bet on over/unders, but most games involving the Saints deserve to be bet on the over. The Saints are capable of scoring a ton of points, especially at home, and they are also capable of giving up a ton of points. The 49ers have enough weapons to score some points with the Saints and turn this game into a shoot-out.

NFL Picks Review

Now that's the kind of week i'm talking about. 4-1, bringing my overall record to 7-7-1. I'm back in it bitches...

NFL Picks

3-6-1 on the year. Pathetic. Feeling good about this week though...

Atlanta -6 over Kansas City (W)

Look, i don't think Atlanta is all that good, but have you seen the Chiefs? Really, have you seen them? And now they're starting Tyler Thigpen at QB? I like the home team to cover...

Tennessee -4.5 over Houston (W)

The Titans look pretty solid all around. Houston could be rusty after having last week off unexpectedly. Like the home team to cover here as well...

Denver - New Orleans over 51 (W)

Again, I don't take a lot of over/unders during the season, but both of these teams score a lot of points. Should be a wide-open, high-scoring game. 

Baltimore -2.5 over Cleveland (W)

Cleveland is all sorts of terrible...

Buffalo -9.5 over Oakland (L)

Oakland's two top RB's might be out, and they're not that good to begin with. I like Buffalo at home. 

Vikings Coaching Options For 2009

So i took a look at possible QB replacements for the Vikings a few days, and here's a look at possible coaching replacements for them.

Brian Billick
He's in the broadcast booth for this year after 8 years with the Ravens. He led the Ravens to a Super Bowl win with a team built very much like the current Vikings team, though he gained his calling as an Offensive Coordinator. Coincidentally, that calling was gained with the Vikings.

Scott Linehan
Let's face it, he's not lasting into next year with the Rams, and may not even last the rest of the season. I'm not sure he's ready/able to be a Head Coach, but he's also got Vikings ties as an Offensive Coordinator under Mike Tice. If not the Head Coach, i wouldn't mind seeing him back as the O.C.

Marty Schottenheimer
I'm not sure i'm sold on Marty either, though he does have a good track record of fielding good teams. His problem has been that he can't win the big playoff/Super Bowl games. Not that that is any different from the Vikings franchise as a whole... Either way, i threw out this name for my brother...

Bill Cowher
The marquee name on this list. Cowher never said he was done coaching after retiring from the Steelers, only that he wanted to take some time off. This is his second year out of coaching, and i would imagine he would start to feel the itch again. Seeing as how Cowher is a great coach, if he decided to come back he would and should have his pick of jobs. Of any teams out there that will be looking for a new coach, it's hard to argue the Vikings wouldn't be the best option.

So there you go. If i had my picks, it'd be Bill Cowher leading a Vikings team with Derek Anderson as it's starting QB to open the 2009 season. But that's a long ways off, and a lot can happen in the meantime.

The 2008 season is still young, and the Vikings, despite being 0-2, still have a chance to have a good season. As a fan, that's all i'm focusing on for now. The rest can wait...

T-Jack Benched: An In-Depth Look At The 2008 Vikings

I just logged into ESPN, and the top headline to the right of their main story was that Tarvaris Jackson of the Minnesota Vikings has been benched in favor of Gus Frerotte for the remainder of the season. There are many things i have to say about this, but let's start here:

You might as well leave him in.

I am by no means on the T-Jack bandwagon. In fact, i am one of the people who did not buy into the 'T-Jack looks better than ever' hype he was getting in the preseason. I've never been a big believer in him, and have never thought he had what it takes to lead this team to where they want to go.

That said, i know for sure Gus Frerotte doesn't have what it takes to lead this team where they want to go. Frerotte is a nice back-up, don't get me wrong, but you know exactly what you're gonna get with him: 15-22, 150 yards, 1 TD 1 INT. He doesn't have a great vertical passing game despite what people say (he's 37 people!), and he's not real mobile.

If you're giving up the hope of this offense having any explosiveness in the passing game, why not stick with T-Jack? He hasn't shown any ability to throw vertically either, but he has a little more upside potential that Gus Frerotte. At least T-Jack can run when things break down...

-----

It's becoming painfully obvious this team needs a change. A change in qb, a change in coaching staff, and a change in philosophy.

The Vikings are loaded at pretty much every position except QB, and they're young at most positions. The O-Line is stacked and in their primes. The running back position is poised to be the best in the League for years to come. They have two solid young WR's in Sydney Rice and Bernard Berrian who can stretch the field, and a decent if not spectacular possession-type receiver in Bobby Wade.

Their defense is absolutely loaded. The front four may be the best in football, with only Pat Williams on the backside of his career. Though they already have his replacement in Fred Evans. The LB crew is young and good. Darren Sharper as a Safety is getting up there, but they have his replacement in Madieu Williams who they signed in the offseason. Antoine Winfield is also getting older, but this team has corners galore in waiting, including Cedric Griffin and Charles Gordon.

This team has the talent at every single position to compete for NFL Championships except the most important position: The QB. Not only that, but they haven't had a good QB since the days of Daunte Culpepper, and even he was good for only three or four years. The Vikings haven't had a franchise quarterback since Fran Tarkenton in the '70s. It's the one thing that's been lacking for decades for this franchise. Contrast that to the Packers, who had a franchise quarterback for 17 years, let him go, and appear to have another one. Makes me sick...

So here's the options. Preferably i'd like to get someone in right now, this season, so this year isn't a total waste. Not sure how feasible that is though, so we'll also look at some options to bring in during the offseason. Also keep in mind the Vikings don't need a Tony Romo, Donovan McNabb type quarterback. They only need someone who can manage the game and not throw picks.

Daunte Culpepper
Yeah, i just threw up in my mouth a little also, but he could bring a certain stability to the position and would be familiar/comfortable in Minnesota. He isn't mobile anymore, but can still make the throws. Our O-Line is good enough to give him the time needed in the pocket. At best though he's a short-term option.

Jeff Garcia
He's clearly fallen out of favor with Jon Gruden in Tampa, but showed last year he's still a capable QB. He played well in Philly in 2006 after replacing an injured McNabb as well. Chris Simms has been named the starter for Week 3, and Garcia has been open about his frustration there. He could be had for the right price.

Derek Anderson
Though he's technically still starting for the Browns, i'm not sure how much longer that will last. The Browns have started 0-2 and have looked bad doing it. The pressure is mounting to start Brady Quinn over Anderson, and if that were to happen i have to believe it would be for the rest of the season. The Vikings might be able to get Anderson away from the Browns.

Kurt Warner/Matt Leinart
Only because i don't believe the Cardinals can keep both of them again next season. One of them will be available. Though to be fair i'm still not sure Leinart is a capable QB, but maybe being out of the nightlife of Scottsdale will do him some good.

That's just a quick list for QB needs. I'll post a rundown later of what i think they should do with the coaching situation. Hint: It doesn't involve Brad Childress...

NFL Picks Review

Jesus i suck at picking the NFL. 1-3-1 on the week, which puts me record through Week 2 at 3-6-1. I got some work to do...

NFL Picks

2-3 last week, on to another week. Here's the picks:

New Orleans -1 over Washington (L)

This line just seems wrong. Washington looked terrible last week, and New Orleans can score a ton of points...

Green Bay -3 over Detroit (W)

I can't believe i'm picking a new starting quarterback on the road, but Detroit's defense is bad.

San Diego +1 over Denver (Push)

Denver can't possibly be as good as they looked against Oakland last week, and i don't think San Diego will start out 0-2.

Pittsburgh -6.5 over Cleveland (L)

Cleveland is terrible. As in, really, really bad...

Cincinnati (Pick 'em) over Tennessee (L)

I can already tell Cincy is going to be the death of me this season...

The Sports Guy

Look, i'll admit it: I used to love ESPN's Sports Guy, Bill Simmons. When i was in college i ate his shit up. Then the Patriots got good, then the Red Sox got good, then the Celtics got good, and he became practically insufferable. To the point where i can barely read him. 

This week's NFL Picks column is the coup de tat, where pretty much everything he says i want to fucking punch him in the face for. Not to mention his picks suck fucking ass. Fuck he pissed me off. Fuck!

Below is his picks, followed by own, better picks. Trust me, i'll let you know how this shakes out. Simmon's picks first, mine in parentheses.

(And these are not my picks, I'll throw those up later.)

Titans +1 over Bengals. (Bengals -1 Tenn)

Vikings +2 over Colts (Colts -2 Vikings)

Bears +3 over Panthers (Panthers -3 Bears)

Falcons +7 over Bucs (Bucs -7 Panthers)

Saints pick 'em Redskins (I pick Saints as well)

Bills +5 over Jags (Jags -5 Bills)

Packers -3 over Lions (I agree)

Giants -8.5 over Rams (I agree)

49ers +7 over Seahawks (Seahawks -7 49ers)

Dolphins +6.5 over Cards (Cards -6.5 Seahawks)

Jets -1 over Patriots (Pats +1 NYJ)

Ravens +4.5 over Texans (I agree)

Chiefs -3.2 over Raiders (I agree)

Broncos +1.5 over Chargers (Chargers -1.5 Broncos)

Steelers -6 over Browns (I agree)

Eagles +7 over Cowboys (I agree)

Ok, so i disagreed with 9 of Simmon's picks. Let's see how the week turns out...