Open Note to the NFL and NFLPA

This blog entry could be simply 2 words: WAKE UP.  It most likely would be just as powerful and informative as blogging out an entire entry on this topic.  However, like my friends to whom I direct this blog entry, I am choosing the longer and more excruciatingly painful way of getting things done.

As a sports fan, I have been through replacement players, missed games, strikes, lockouts, and even a missed championship.  While my life's focus is God and family, these events were emotionally taxing for me. People might tell me to get a life, but I am sorry, sports isn't my life, but my life does involve sports.


Now, here is your warning:  RANT IS ON. 

What exactly are you all thinking?  You have 3 choices.  Get a deal done, take some time off from playing, or disband the NFL.  After the most watched Super Bowl in history, a very successful and PROFITABLE season, and a bright future ahead, is it not in everyone's best interest to get a deal done?  So, what in the world are you all waiting on?  Get it done now!!! No more posturing, no more threats and hyperbole in the media, no more wasted time!!!!  Find a place to get this done, lock the main negotiators in, and do not let them see their families until a deal is in place.  You all know there are parameters that will get this done, you all know that EVERYONE loses if you miss even 1 game, and you should know that even an off season lockout is going to annoy/anger some fans.

So, here is my solution.  It is simple.  I live in a small town, few distractions.  Fly in both parties and rent a few rooms at our Quality Inn.  Every day I will come and check in on you all.  I will be happy to help mediate on a few items.  Noone gets to see family or friends until the deal is done.  Our town has tons of fast food, but only a couple decent places to eat.  We have a small movie theater and a bowling alley but otherwise no distractions to getting a deal done.  I love living here but I doubt these guys will love it here and hopefully it will force a quick resolution.

Now, I am not privy to all the details but here is what I think needs to happen: 

1.  Stay at 16 games.  Fans don't need or want more games and your entire record book becomes history instead of current events if you change the season to 18 games.
2.  Expand rosters 3 spots (2 more active per week) and also add the ability to add an emergency kicker instead of QB if a team wants.
3.  Make a rule saying that a player can only be franchised 1 time IF HE PLAYS AN ENTIRE SEASON.  If the player sits out even 1 preseason game for contractual reasons, he can be franchised the next season.  The next season, the player become a restricted free agent.  (legit injuries would count as playing)
4.  Make sure your retired players are covered medically for life.  (I dont know if this is already done, but it should be!)
5.  Take the large pile of profits and divide it up!  Give the players a little more and call it a day.

Here is your warning NFL.  I used to love the NHL.  I still love hockey, but I rarely watch a sport that used to be my #2 sport.  As I got older and the novelty of legalized fighting on skates got old, the league imploding and then not adjusting to make the game better has made me divorce my #2 and turn to other ones that I don't love as much.  The NFL is in danger of following this path if they choose petty squabbling and public posturing over getting it done and keeping their fans happy.

I dont care how far away you all say you are, I don't want to hear any more rhetoric, and I do not care to hear millionaires and billionaires cry.  I just want to hear about progress, hear about getting closer, and finally hear a deal is done.  Otherwise, lock your mouths shut, lock your focus on getting a deal done, and LOCK yourselves in and get er done Mater!!!

So guys, after all this, I will summarize the way I started:  WAKE UP!