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travisduncan
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Commissioner Roger Goodell has applied the necessary pressure on both the owners and players.
Thankfully, the owners and the players are very close to an agreement, and ultimately that is good for fans of the game. The goal is that training camps will go off as normal and free-agency could begin in the middle of July.
Remarkably, the proposed deal does not present any major issues for the fans in terms of a diluted product because of a schedule or competitive balance issues.
Under the new deal, players will get 48-percent of all revenue according to ESPN. If that number holds, that will be down from 60-percent from the last collective bargaining agreement, though the players contend the actual share of revenue in recent years has been at 50-percent. Originally the owners were hoping for a 43 or 44 percent revenue sharing agreement according to the network.
The owners are also going to agree to structure the rules to ensure they will spend nearly 100-percent of the salary cap, which has not been the case in years past.
A rookie wage scale will be implemented, which should ultimately keep costs down for high-round draft picks. We are still awaiting details on that, and even most fans wouldn't have a problem with that as there seems to be an injustice in the cash No. 1 picks take home-Matthew Stafford's $41.7 million in 2009 before ever playing a down of pro football seems to be the prime example.
The dreaded 18-game season isn't happening after all, it could though, as it will be open for discussion going forward. I still think we will see it or a 17-game season ultimately, but the urgency to get a deal done has allowed both sides to put it on the back burner.
A 16-game schedule for Thursday night football is included, so that again is a win for the fans. The players are believed to have agreed to a lower percentage of the revenue because of the added revenue those games on the NFL network will generate.
There is also a clause in the deal which would allow for greater revenue to go to NFL retirees, though the details of that haven't been leaked as of yet.
ESPN reports the labor deal would be for 10 years.
Perhaps the most interesting caveat to the whole mess is a report by ESPN that players whose contracts have expired and have or more four years of service will have unrestricted free-agent status, which must make the Seahawks brass salivate at the potential to sure up the offensive line and other positions for the right price.
We are looking at training camp starting next month believe it or not.
-Qwest field will now be known as "CenturyLink Field" due to the purchase of Qwest. The change will be official on Thursday.
-Matt Hasselbeck allegedly received a 1-year $7 million contract offer before the lockout began. According to one report the quarterback was looking for a two year deal. The mere fact that Hasselbeck was leading the informal workouts a couple of weeks ago makes one believe he's willing to take the contract and stay home. Though some are saying the Tennessee Titans are a potential destination for the QB.
Hasselbeck said on ESPN Radio in Milwaukee, "I definitely am hopeful to be back here, but at the same time, I understand that with a new GM, with a new regime, they sometimes want to go in a different direction. That could happen, too. I am prepared for whatever.
"There is a lot of change here in Seattle in terms of the roster. They like to change the roster as much as they can, probably in an effort to get younger. You are going to have new teammates either way. We'll see. I'm open to whatever. I am hopeful to be here, but sometimes those things aren't in your control."
When Pete Carroll talked with ESPN's Shelly Smith last week, (you can watch the video here) he said he doesn't know if Hasselbeck will be back, and refused to elaborate.
-Defensive end Raheem Brock was arrested for a $27 bar tab last week in Philly. While it may have not made a difference otherwise, there is some uncertainty over whether he will be re-signed. The 33-year old had 9 sacks last season.
-Carroll spoke to a group at the VMAC last week on his "Win Forever" Philosophy. You can listen to an interview with the coach here.
