Getty ImagesThings are getting ugly between the NFLPA and its executive director, DeMaurice Smith.
With a proposed $1 million bonus for Smith not yet authorized by the union?s Executive Committee, Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com reports that, if Smith doesn?t get the money, Smith could quit.
It?s unclear whether Smith has made such a threat, or whether he even has hinted at it.? Freeman?s article doesn?t mention whether he spoke to Smith ? or whether Freeman spoke to one or more players who spoke to Smith.
NFLPA spokesman George Atallah declined to comment on the report in response to an email from PFT.
Regardless of how the report came to be, if the players perceive Smith?s fingerprints, the players could conclude that Smith is trying to force their hand.? And for the same reason that the players wouldn?t allow themselves to be bullied by the owners during the labor negotiations, there?s a good chance that they?ll decide not to allow themselves to be bullied by the man who united them against the owners.
Freeman?s article points out some of the good things Smith has done for the players.? And Smith indeed has secured victories, especially when it comes to the financial aspects of the new labor deal.
But players continue to be upset with Smith for several details that were overlooked in the eleventh hour of the negotiations, including the handling of players who violated the personal conduct policy and players who violated the substance-abuse policy in the days after the lockout ended.? Also, the open-ended agreement to submit to HGH testing has upset more than a few players.? Even though Smith and the NFLPA successfully have been able to block implementation, the agreement to submit to HGH testing has been made ? and it eventually will have to be honored.
?I don?t see how anyone could be a Monday morning quarterback now that the deal is done,? former NFLPA player representative and current free-agent offensive lineman Chester Pitts told Freeman.? ?I think there were things we could have gotten or ways to better the deal but I watched DeMaurice fight like hell.? I find it crazy players would complain now when they have the chance to complain then and didn?t.?
Some players would disagree with that, pointing out that the issues identified above were swept under the rug and/or dropped through the cracks in the final moments without full consultation of the Executive Committee and the player representatives.
Though it?s unclear how this situation will be resolved, it?s entirely possible that Smith is contemplating reliance on the bonus payment, if denied, as a way to save face by quitting in lieu of not being re-elected in March 2012, and/or not having to suffer the actual or perceived indignity of having to fight for another three-year appointment at a time when Smith possibly believes that the players should be more than willing to give him three more years without serious discussion or debate.
Regardless of whether it would be wise or unwise for the two sides to part ways, right now there?s a good chance that a divorce is inevitable.
Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/19/the-real-game-of-the-week-is-on-tonight/related/
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