It says 2.5% of the total amount of players in the NFL. But it also says that not all players were tested. This is important to be able to think something of the 72 players testing positive. It's probably not a big deal, but could be if only a limited amount of players have been tested.
The economic proposal the NFL sent the NFLPA on Tuesday removed the 35% salary escrow provision — but instead would’ve slashed each team’s player costs by $40 million in salary cap and/or benefits in 2020, per sources. Player leadership strongly opposed to such a short-term hit. Under the CBA, the NFL and NFLPA must negotiate in good faith to correct a projected multibillion-dollar revenue shortfall. Union wants to spread the hit over future salary caps. League wants help managing costs now. The sides continue to work towards a deal. Under that league proposal, any remaining revenue shortfall would've been made up in salary cap/benefit reduction in 2021, likely leading to veteran cuts and restructures over next two years. As one player put it: “No thanks. Not taking the COVID risk and (the) financial burden.” Another key piece of the NFL's proposal: Any player may opt out of the 2020 season with written notice by Aug. 1 What happens if no deal is struck on economics? A projected multibillion revenue shortfall in 2020 would be accounted for in 2021, causing the salary cap to drop by in the range of $50 million to $70 million per club. League wants a deal done before camp. Union in no rush.
NFLPA chief DeMaurice Smith and prez JC Tretter, in press conference with reporters, say union has consulted with team doctors in "hotspot" NFL markets about how to report to camp safely and how to continue to operate safely in those markets NFLPA prez JC Tretter: "We've had coaches say the protocols are too much to ask, coaches come forward and saying, 'Everyone's going to get sick, so we might as well all get sick together.' Those attitudes can't happen. There are consequences to getting sick." DeMaurice Smith: "Slogans and wishful thinking haven't led our country through this pandemic, and they won't lead football on any level through this pandemic." DeMaurice Smith now addressing potential COVID impact on 2021 salary cap. Says either cap could drop by as much as $70M per team next year, or they can negotiate with league to spread out the decline over several coming years. Union clearly prefers the latter option. De Smith: "The league has made the decision that they want to start training camp on time. The role of the union is to hold them accountable on how to make sure it's safe to open camp now." NFLPA says some teams began sending IDER plans (Infectious Disease Emergency Response) to union Thursday night. Union is reviewing those to make sure they're in compliance with protocols they've negotiated with the league. DeMaurice Smith on preseason games: "To engage in two games where players would be flying all over the country and then engaging with each other to work, and to do that PRIOR to the season, doesn't increase the likelihood of starting and finishing the season on time." JC Tretter, asked about O-linemen playing in close face-to-face proximity: "I'm a center, At this time more than any, I have a dangerous job. This is going to be a battle of risk mitigation." JC Tretter, describes union's proposed ramp-up period (21 days strength and conditioning, 10 days of non-padded practices, then 14 days of contact acclimation). Says it grew out of discussions with medical experts. JC Tretter: "We're in a different world now. So the idea that this is going to go away with the snap of a finger and you don't have to change, that's not going to fly. Everything needs to be revamped and refitted to fit coronavirus." DeMaurice Smith said the team doctors NFLPA officials spoke with Thursday night "said, with a couple of reservations, that it was safe to open training camp, and they provided their medical reasons." De Smith: "Wearing a mask will probably be the most significant component of whether sports return in this country. That's not a political statement; that's a common sense and scientific statement." 90-minute conference call with NFLPA officials just ended. Lots to unpack. One key takeaway: They think people's attitudes toward the virus, inside and outside of football, are a vital determining factor in whether they can start and finish a season. Some of the NFL's travel rules for this year: -No use of public or private transportation to or in other cities. -No leaving hotel to go to restaurants open to public. -No room visits by anyone outside the traveling party. -No use of shared hotel facilities (pool, gym, etc.) Other 2020 NFL team travel guidelines: -Masks required while traveling. -Buses at no more than 50 percent capacity. -At least one open seat between passengers on the plane. The NFL appears determined to start training camp on time. The NFLPA appears resigned to that fact. Negotiations are ongoing on several fronts, so it's not set in stone, but it looks to be headed that way. Protocols released today by NFL and NFLPA say players must wear "Kinexon Proximity Recording devices" while in facility, at practice or traveling with team. Those devices will be used to monitor in-game close contacts for contact tracing in case someone tests positive. No, players and team personnel will not have to wear the contact tracers away from the facility. League, Union will continue to stress the importance of responsible behavior away from the facility for all involved. THREAD: What I've learned today from sources on NFL/NFLPA reopening negotiations: -They're ongoing, expected to continue thru the weekend. -Both sides believe, if the health/safety piece of the talks gets resolved, they can start camps and continue to discuss financial piece. Players still want daily testing, league doesn't believe it's necessary. (Actually worries it can create false sense of security.) Possible compromise involves daily testing at start of camp, phase into less frequent as people get more comfortable with the facility protocols. Players still want all preseason games eliminated, league continues to resist. Possible compromise involves going down to just one preseason game per team, but NFLPA doesn't want any. Thinks it raises infection risk unnecessarily (i.e, the games don't count). On financial piece: Cap could drop by up to $70M in '21. NFLPA concerned about effect that would have on player salaries and especially benefits, would prefer to spread "pain" out, keep cap growth low for a few years. Question is how many years. Owners want fewer, players more. Progress has been made on opt-out provisions, and belief is that there will be agreement reached on that front. Also likely is the establishment of a COVID-specific short-term (3 week?) IR list. Details of that are being finalized. Players were encouraged that teams began sharing IDER (Infectious Disease Emergency Response) plans with them last night. NFLPA position is that any team that opens camp without IDER in plan would be doing so illegally. So ideally, HOU and KC (rookies Monday) have theirs done. What if players don't get what they want in health/safety talks? "We've explored all our options," is all De Smith would say. Per sources, players really can't strike, could file grievance over unsafe work environment. But that's tougher if the IDER plans are in place & approved.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...-use-washington-football-team-now-sources-say On the nose and practical. "The Washington Football Team is headed to the Super Bowl!"
Florida man: They're going to ALL get sick Spoiler In a conversation on the Buccaneers' plans for handling the coronavirus, coach Bruce Arians stated "the players, they’re going to all get sick, that’s for sure.” “It’s just a matter of how sick they get,” Arians continued. "We’ve got to be careful." This season will be unlike any other. Positive cases will be confirmed, and it appears the NFL will attempt to power through them with a multi-week quarantine for impacted players and staff members - and a larger practice squad to pick replacements from. Arians is a three-time cancer survivor and took measures to aid his health even before this offseason, including riding a golf cart during practice and handing play calling responsibilities to Byron Leftwich. Arians, at 67 years old, is at higher risk than other coaches around the league. As is safeties coach Nick Rapone (64) and quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen (64). “It’s the team that adapts and has the most discipline, they’re going to win,” Arians concluded. This level of honesty is appreciated, but also chilling.
Players opting out so far: Bears DT Eddie Goldman Bills DT Star Lotulelei Broncos DT Kyle Peko Chiefs RB Damien Williams G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif Cowboys CB Maurice Canady WR Stephen Guidry Eagles WR Marquise Goodwin Giants OT Nate Solder Jets OL Leo Koloamatangi Packers WR Devin Funchess Patriots LB Dont'a Hightower S Patrick Chung OT Marcus Cannon RB Brandon Bolden FB Danny Vitale G Najee Toran Ravens OT Andre Smith WR De'Anthony Thomas Saints TE Cole Wick Seahawks G Chance Warmack Texans DT Eddie Vanderdoes Titans OL Anthony McKinney Vikings DT Michael Pierce Washington DT Caleb Brantley Free Agent(s) G Larry Warford
Is it just a matter of time before a starting QB opts out essentially killing a team’s season? A NFL bubble seems like a logistical nightmare but the MLB model is looking like a disaster compared to the NBA thus far. NFL will be dealing with double the number of players not including the hundreds of coaching and support staff.
Extensions... 49ers TE George Kittle 5 years $75M Chiefs TE Travis Kelce 4 years $57M Bills LT Dion Dawkins 4 years $60M
Earl Thomas released: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...ns-cut-trade-earl-thomas-dispute?platform=amp
I can't see this season being a good thing during a pandemic if they allow a bunch of fans in the stands. That goes double if tailgating is allowed. Just seems like another avoidable Coronafest.