Sayre/Bena/Stedlfeld etc. Please explain

sort of saying, “you can tender us but we don’t have to like it” kind of thing. As to the CBA, there aren’t any rules for how a new CBA will be instituted and it would have the potential to back date lots of things, no matter when it was officially signed into existence. The CBA will still be in existence in 2010, but under its terms the year will be uncapped, among other things. Things like the UFAs becoming RFAs was supposed to be incentive for the two sides to come together and make a new CBA if either side tried to opt out of it early.

If a new CBA was signed april first, it would likely be designed to replace the final year of the current CBA, and would go into effect immediatley with strident rules for handling the transition of players between statuses. THat problem in and of itself is complicated enough to tempt the sides to just let the CBA expire…

Just like the Owners response will be 1 year contracts and nothing too rich, because of the unknown. Example: If (When) they sign a new CBA, there could be a lower Salary Cap. What happens to teams that have the top paid Franchise tagged players? There will be more Salary Dumps if that is the case. It doesn’t make sense to hand out large, or even long term contracts at this point. So the players are angry and some of them may boycott the Non-Mandatory workouts. This may have an affect on team chemistry as well. I sincerely hope it does not happen to the Broncos. Will we find out who the “Team” players really are?

From the <a href=“http:// ”http://www.clt.astate.edu/marburger/nfl.htm#art35" target="_blank">http://www.clt.astate.edu/marburger/nfl.htm#art35 " >CBA

ARTICLE XXXV

OFF-SEASON WORKOUTS

Section 1. Voluntary Workouts: No player shall be required to attend or participate in any off‑season workout program or classroom instruction of a Club other than as provided in Article XXXVI (Minicamps). Any other Club off‑season workout programs and classroom instruction sessions shall be voluntary and take place in the manner and time period set forth in this Article.

Section 2. Time Periods: (a) Subject to the limitations in subsection (b) below, from the end of the previous NFL season until the opening of training camp, Clubs may schedule or conduct off-season workout programs for no more than fourteen total weeks, and no more than four workouts per week, for any individual player. Such workout programs shall not be permitted on weekends. During such workout programs, there may be no more than fourteen (14) days of organized team practice activity, to be defined by the Player/Club Operations Committee. Nothing herein shall prevent a Club from permitting an individual player to work-out on his own on weekends using Club facilities if he wishes to do so.

(b) Each year off-season workout programs may not begin, and players may not be asked to voluntarily attend any such program, earlier than a date to be agreed upon by the Management Council and the NFLPA, and announced before the conclusion of the prior regular season; for 2002 only, that date is agreed to be March 25, 2002. Each year on a date to be agreed upon by the parties, each Club shall provide the Management Council and the NFLPA with the Club’s schedule for its off-season workout program that year, and shall advise the Management Council and the NFLPA in writing in advance of any changes to that schedule.

© During the off-season program period, except for the fourteen days of organized team practice activity and mini-camps, players may be (1) at the Club facility no more than four hours per day, no more than four days per week, and not during weekends; and (2) on the field no more than ninety minutes per day. In addition, the Club may not specify to any player more than two specific hours a day during which it suggests that the player be at club facilities. Any player participating in an off-season workout program may select the other two hours in which he wishes to attend to conduct his weight training, etc., as long as he does so during the hours of operations of the Club’s weight room.

• Extension Agreement 1/8/02

Section 3. Payment: Each player shall receive at least the following amounts per day for any workouts or classroom instruction in which he participates pursuant to a Club’s voluntary off-season workout program, provided the player fulfills the Club’s reasonable off-season workout requirements: $90 during the 2002 League Year; $100 during the 2003-04 League Years; $110 for the 2005-06 League Years; and $120 for the 2007 League Year.(This might have had a cost of living increase, but I have not found it-This is from the 2008 CBA)

Article XXXVI

MINICAMPS

Section 1. Number: Each League Year each Club may hold a maximum of one mandatory minicamp for veteran players. If a Club hires a new head coach after the end of the regular season, that Club may hold two additional voluntary minicamps for veteran players. There is no limitation on the number of minicamps a Club may hold for rookie players.

Section 2. Length: No minicamp may exceed three days in length, plus one day for physical examinations. If possible, minicamps should be scheduled for weekends and not in conflict with previously scheduled meetings of the NFLPA Board of Reps or the annual NFLPA convention.

Section 3. Expenses: Any veteran player who attends a minicamp will receive meal allowances in accordance with Article XXXIX (Meal Allowance), Section 1 of this Agreement, plus all travel expenses to and from the camp, plus "per diem" payments at the rate provided in Article XXXVII (Salaries), Section 4 of this Agreement. In addition, the Club will provide housing at minicamps for players coming from out‑of‑town.

Section 4. Contact: There will be no contact work (e.g., "live" blocking, tackling, pass rushing, bump‑and‑run) or use of pads (helmets permitted) at minicamps.

Section 5. Injuries: Any player injured in a Club’s minicamp will be protected in the same manner as if injured during the Club’s pre‑season training camp.

Page 169

Section 5. Reporting: No veteran player other than quarterbacks and injured players, will be required to report to a Club’s official pre‑season training camp earlier than fifteen (15) days (including one day for physical examinations) prior to its first scheduled pre‑season game or July 15, whichever is later. The July 15 date will not apply to Clubs participating in the Canton Hall of Fame Game or any American Bowl game scheduled around the Canton Hall of Fame Game date.

There is no amendment for being able to fine a player until Training Camp. If the player is under contract, he has an obligation to that contract, so if he doesn’t show up for work (Camp), he doesn’t get paid. Just like anybody else who doesn’t show up for work.
If it interests anyone, click the link and you may read more under the next articles, which deal with Salary specifics. There is even a Standard Contract as defined by the CBA.The players make most of their yearly salary during the 17 weeks of the season. This excludes signing or performance bonuses, which are paid off the top (in the case of signing bonuses, if they aren’t prorated payments), or when they are achieved (x amount of TD’s, carries, Sacks, Pro Bowls,etc.). Those are either paid at the attainment or as specified in the players contract.

Hope this helps anyone interested.

Here is the Link

but he’s already beat me! :D