CBA TALK WITH JOHN "THE GENERAL" MCLAIN & LANCE ZIERLEIN

@JohnGranato & @LanceZierlein
@1560TheGame

@McClain_On_NFL & @LesbianCraig

Lance Zierlein of 1560 The Game
&
Craig "Lesbo" Shelton Of HMW

The General

CBA TALK WITH JOHN "THE GENERAL" MCLAIN & LANCE ZIERLEIN

Written by: LM

3-4-2011

Gene Upshaw

Week 15 of the football season, I contacted a few personalities I felt could address some Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) questions.  The four were selected because they either were seasoned in football or could actually relate to the situation based upon their longevity in sports media.

Below is the email I sent to the guys with their answers below.  I like to thank all of them for their promp replies and taking the time to  address my questions.

General, Lance, Ralph and Barry

As I email you guys, I have effectively declared 2011 started. I am contacting the four of you because you are the "football minds" I respect in Houston in addition to your longevity here to address some of my questions.

I have found myself thinking more and more about the CBA therefore I need a few questions answered.

1. Because the Texans current volatility, I will exclude them from this question, but do you think other professional teams have contingencies in place for the "lock out". I am specifically speaking about continuity of practice. Do you guys think the Offensive and Defensive Coordinators or possibly head coaches are passing down "off season routines"  to the MLB/QB. I mention the coordinators and specific positions because it seems logical but any contingency you can think of would be helpful.

To follow up that question, once the Lock Out occur, will the NFL insurance stop immediately?

John McLain

Every team has a plan for the lockout as far as front office, but I imagine only the smart ones are already preparing. For instance, players can't come to their facility, and they're not supposed to communicate with their coaches. We know they will, of course. Players need a place to work out to stay in shape, and they need a practice field or facility. When the Oilers did this in 1982, I attended their practices, and they were hap-hazard and most of the players who showed up fooled around and didn't want to be told what to do. I imagine a team like the Patriots will be led by Brady, and he'll lead the practices along with some other team leaders. When the lockout ends, if it's preseason or regular season, they'll have probably two weeks to get ready. The teams that worked the hardest and were the most serious during the lockout will be better prepared. For instance, if a team returns its players and coaches and the same systems, they should be better prepared than those that changed, especially if they switched systems, like going from a 3-4 to 4-3 or vice-versa. The NFL will have strict rules with big-time fines for teams they find violated the rules.

Lance Zierlein

The easy answer on that is NO. The players are strong in their unity and there will be no working for or with any aspect of their teams until a deal that is negotiated between the NFLPA and the Owners is completed.


To follow up that question, once the Lock Out occur, will the NFL insurance stop immediately?


I've been told the insurance policy does stop and players will have to go through KOBRA just like any other employee would.

2. Off the top of my head, I can only think of 1 person currently in the NFL that could possibly remember the last Lock Out. If the Lock Out were to occur, do you feel Bill Parcells and any others that experienced a Lock Out before will be better prepared than those who have not.




John McClain
The last two work stoppages were player strikes in 1987 and 1982. Anybody who went through them should be better prepared. One of the big problems today is that so many of the owners who are driving the lockout -- Jones, McNair, Snyder, Kraft, Lurie, Johnson and Mara have a lot of debt because of their stadiums. The old guard like Adams, Wilson, Davis and Brown don't owe as much. GMs like Thompson and Reinfeldt were players during the 1982 strike that cost seven games.


Lance Zierlein

The owners and front office of every team has been talking about contingency plans in case of a lockout for several months now so they are all going to be prepared. The question is whether or not the players have been saving their paychecks and have been preparing for a lockout because they are the ones likely to be effected much more than the teams.

3. Again, I can totally understand Houston's case, but why are people driving home the coaches and players will only have 3 weeks with their coach? If we are comparing apples to apples the playing field is level because all 32 will be in the same situation. It seems as if that would really be an issue if the rules applied to some and not others.

John McClain
When the season ends, players disappear on vacation. They return in March to begin their offseason program. The lockout begins March 4 if they don't get an agreement ahead of time. From that point on, coaches can't communicate with their players, and players can't use their facility. I think in 1987 they had two weeks to get ready for the first game. That's why one game wasn't accounted for -- 3 replacement games and 15 overall -- if I remember correctly. This one will be different because it's an owners lockout and not a player strike. If they miss a game or two before the owners throw the players a bone and they grab it and sign the new CBA, they'll have two games to be ready.


Lance Zierlein

I think it is a stupid argument since I don't think a lockout would make it that far. To me, a lockout would be solved within a month to month and a half after the draft.

4. As far as Houston, if they have a contingency plan, can you explain the logistics of where they could possibly practice. Growing up in the 80s, I remember the Oilers practicing off of Old Spanish Trail behind the military reserve commands. Have the teams grown beyond practicing/working out in open fields?

John McClain

In 1982, they practiced at a church field in Missouri City, where most of the players lived. In 1987, they had unofficial workouts where they could get them. Ideally, they'd borrow a field at a local high school or college and practice when they weren't being used. I'm sure local healthy clubs would let them use the facilities for all the pub they receive.

Lance Zierlein
There won't be any practices at all.  Players will workout on their own wherever they usually workout during the season.  You won't see any organized player activities as it pertains to football.  I'm pretty sure the NFLPA would look down on that, in fact.

Thanks John and Lance for addressing questions on my brain, I am sure our readers will enjoy your input as always.


LM
HMW
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