NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Hours after the NFLPA went nuclear and decertified, Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that the NFL will announce a lockout tonight and if that's the case, it will be up to the courts to decide what happens next.

The prevention of players from playing is the NFL's ultimate leverage while the players' ultimate leverage is decertification, which they enacted earlier. The antitrust lawsuit filed by nine players Friday evening aims at preventing a lockout. It's possible, perhaps even likely, that the league's lockout effort will be blocked by the courts. That's when appeals will be filed.

Jean Fugett, former President of the Retired Players Steering Committee of the NFLPA talks with SportCE about the latest on the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement on March 11st, 2011. They talk about the deadline passing and The NFLPA filing today to decertify, effectively disbanding the union after failing to reach a labor deal with NFL owners.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sent out the following email earlier this evening about the unions decision as of 5pm EST today to decertify as the 7 day extension passed without a new CBA agreement.

Dear NFL Fan,

When I wrote to you last on behalf of the NFL, we promised you that we would work tirelessly to find a collectively bargained solution to our differences with the players’ union. Subsequent to that letter to you, we agreed that the fastest way to a fair agreement was for everyone to work together through a mediation process. For the last three weeks I have personally attended every session of mediation, which is a process our clubs sincerely believe in.

Unfortunately, I have to tell you that earlier today the players’ union walked away from mediation and collective bargaining and has initiated litigation against the clubs. In an effort to get a fair agreement now, our clubs offered a deal today that was, among other things, designed to have no adverse financial impact on veteran players in the early years, and would have met the players' financial demands in the latter years of the agreement.

The proposal we made included an offer to narrow the player compensation gap that existed in the negotiations by splitting the difference; guarantee a reallocation of savings from first-round rookies to veterans and retirees without negatively affecting compensation for rounds 2-7; no compensation reduction for veterans; implement new year-round health and safety rules; retain the current 16-4 season format for at least two years with any subsequent changes subject to the approval of the league and union; and establish a new legacy fund for retired players ($82 million contributed by the owners over the next two years).

It was a deal that offered compromise, and would have ensured the well-being of our players and guaranteed the long-term future for the fans of the great game we all love so much. It was a deal where everyone would prosper.

We remain committed to collective bargaining and the federal mediation process until an agreement is reached, and call on the union to return to negotiations immediately. NFL players, clubs, and fans want an agreement. The only place it can be reached is at the bargaining table.

While we are disappointed with the union’s actions, we remain steadfastly committed to reaching an agreement that serves the best interest of NFL players, clubs and fans, and thank you for your continued support of our League. First and foremost it is your passion for the game that drives us all, and we will not lose sight of this as we continue to work for a deal that works for everyone.

Yours,
Roger Goodell

The NFL Players Association has filed papers to decertify, effectively disbanding the union and giving it the chance to sue under antitrust laws if there is a lockout.

“The NFLPA will move forward as a professional trade association with the mission of supporting the interests and rights of current and former professional football players,” the group said Friday in a statement.

The move follows a 16th day of federally mediated negotiations in which the union, presented with a proposal from the league’s owners group late Friday afternoon as a 5 p.m. decertification deadline approached, rejected the offer as “significant differences continue to remain,” union chief DeMaurice Smith said.

“They have chosen to choose another strategy, and that is their choice,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. Without decertification, the union would’ve had to wait six months to file a suit after the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement.

Smith had said 10 years of audited financial records must accompany any request from the owners for an extension before the deadline, which was allowed to pass. The league’s collective bargaining agreement was set to expire at the end of the day.

“We told them that please let us know by 5 p.m. today,” Smith said. “We’re going to head back to the office, and I’m sure we’ll have further comment later on.” The owners’ group convened among themselves late Friday afternoon to discuss the next steps.

Former Oilers QB Warren Moon wants a fresh start at the QB spot for the Titans, and he is speaking out stating that new coach Mike Munchak should draft Cam Newton. Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean reports that Moon plans on speaking to Munchak about taking a long look at Newton.

“I first wanted to give Munch time to get his staff together and get his philosophy set. I know he’s been busy. But I think now it’s about time I reach out to him and let him in on Cam,” Moon said.

“Now I have no idea what Mike is thinking as far as where he wants to go, but I know they don’t have a (quarterback) right now and I know this guy is going to be special. I’m just going to tell him what I know as he tries to make his decision.”

Newton is probably going to be the apple of a number of teams eyes, as there’s 8 teams that reportedly spoke to him at the Auburn Pro Day, and a number want to schedule a workout with him as well – and the Titans were on that list.

Don Banks of Sports Illustrated reports that league source threw a little water on his projection of Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert to the Panthers at No. 1. He said Carolina doesn’t really love Gabbert at this point, and doesn’t feel as if he’s accurate enough outside of the hash marks and deep downfield.

Then again, with Gabbert not throwing at the combine, his chance to go first overall is probably riding on how he performs at the Tigers’ pro day on March 17th. Let him light it up there and Carolina’s opinion might change rapidly. Especially if Cam Newton’s game continues to be dissected, with flaws identified.

The 49ers sat down Thursday night with Louisville cornerback Johnny Patrick. This following his campus Pro Day workout in front of 27 NFL teams.

Patrick ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds after clocking a 4.59 at the NFL scouting combine. Patrick intercepted five passes last season and was invited to the Senior Bowl, but didn’t participate due to an injury. He returned one for a touchdown, recording 51 tackles and 17 pass deflections.

“I was pleased with how I did today,” said Patrick, an All-Big East Conference selection who blocked a kick and forced a fumble in a bowl game win over Southern Miss. “I feel very confident in my ability and I look forward to seeing where I fall in the upcoming draft.”

With it being D-Day in the NFL for the Labor talks, Saints QB and former Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees is on a Tweeting tear today, giving fans some up to date info and also throwing out there the issues that he feels the owners are throwing at the union and players.

Here’s some of the tweets this morning from Brees on the last day of the extension for talks.

I am very sorry that you as fans have to endure this. Football is more than just a game for all of us. We will keep fighting…always

To our fans – I give you my word that we as players are doing everything we can to negotiate with the NFL towards a fair deal

NFL.com has an article posted by draft guru and long-time personnel evaluator Gil Brandt regarding the University of Nebraska's pro day and DB Prince Amukamara.

Bengals DB coach Kevin Coyle was on hand for the workouts, and according to Brandt, this indicates the Bengals have heavy interest in Amukamara:

the fact that Coyle was present at Nebraska's pro day held Thursday must mean only one thing: They have their eyes on CB Prince Amukamara.

Brandt likes the 6? 1/2? , 205 pounder.  Here's some of what he had to say:

The good thing about him is that he can play press coverage and off coverage, which makes him ready for the NFL. He's not afraid to tackle, either.

With Johnathan Joseph a pending free agent, Leon Hall entering the last year of his rookie deal, and back-ups Adam Jones, Brandon Ghee, and Morgan Trent coming off season-ending injuries, the Bengals are smart to be shopping for corners.

This comes on the heels of news that Mike Zimmer was present at the Texas A&M pro day scouting top-10 linebacker Von Miller.

Up until now, conventional wisdom has suggested that the team will go offense with their first round pick (4th overall), with Cam Newton and A.J. Green heading the pack of potentials.  However, it may serve the team's long term interests better to re-load their defense–especially if their intent is to go to a more run-oriented attack.