Dan Rooney has the players backs

[Crash]

Per Pompeani on Twitter........

Dan Rooney quoted in the NY TIMES says he will not support an 18 game NFL season and will not be involved in Labor discussions.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

wow. surprising.

[Crash]

That's huge. He's basically saying he's done with the NFL until further notice. Don't call me I'll call you.

He's obviously not thrilled with Adolph picking on his team.

[SteelCrazy]

freakin' awesome! I wish Art II was the one saying it, but this is just as good

[Irongut]

The 18 game schedule is just a matter of time imo.

I think Dan is saying he'll let Art do the table this trip.

[hawaiiansteel]

Pittsburgh Steelers' Dan Rooney is concerned about lack of progress in NFL labor negotiations

January 21, 2011

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0148c7dc88e6970c-800wi

Dan Rooney, chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers, isn’t directly involved in negotiations between NFL owners and players, but he’s concerned about the lack of progress between the sides and where that could lead.

“We should have a deal,” Rooney said Friday, speaking at Steelers headquarters to three reporters who cover the league on a national basis. “We should not let the disruption of next season happen because of a lockout, a strike, or whatever… It’s in everybody’s best interest to get a deal. The players, of course, want to play, and that’s what should happen.

“The games this year couldn’t be better. The ratings are high? So why would you step back?”

However, Rooney, who now serves as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, said owners are united in their determination to scrap the current collective-bargaining agreement, which expires in March.

“Status quo is not an option,” he said. “I just believe that [the opposing sides] could work out an agreement. There are points that could make this deal better for everyone.”

Rooney declined to address specifics of the talks, saying he wanted to leave those to the negotiators, but he expressed frustration at the glacial pace of the process.

His were the strongest-worded remarks on the issue from a team owner in months.

“I just think the negotiators should get it together and start doing what they should do, and get a deal,” he said, adding, “If they sit down and work things out, I think they could have a deal rather quickly.”

Rooney said the CBA over the years has gotten “a little too rich on one side” –- meaning the players’ side -– and indicated an agreement might have been reached sooner but for the 2008 death of Gene Upshaw, the former executive director of the NFL Players Assn.

“I think if Gene Upshaw were here, he’s someone I could talk to about this,” he said. “He’s someone who was for the game at all the time.”

Asked whether the owners’ lack of familiarity with current union head DeMaurice Smith has led to “a distrust” that’s complicating negotiations, Rooney said: “I don’t know the personalities. There is maybe distrust. Maybe dislike is a better word. But that’s beyond. You have a situation like this, you’ve got to get a deal. You’ve got to forget personalities.”

Rooney, whose late father, Art, founded the Steelers in 1933, has in past negotiations been a bridge between owners and players, and has long been regarded as an owner especially sympathetic to the interests of the players. His son, Art Rooney II, now runs the franchise on a day-to-day basis.

Unlike many owners, the elder Rooney is staunchly against expanding the regular season to 18 games, which is an issue in the current negotiations. Many players feel that would be too punishing to their bodies and would significantly shorten their careers.

“I would rather not get the money” than expand the regular season, Rooney said.

“You have a system that works, so why add them?” he said. “Now the people usually say, 'The preseason doesn’t work.’ Well, look at the preseason as the preseason and try to work that out. Don’t say you’re going to start messing with the full system.”

Asked whether he’d be in favor of playing preseason games with discounted ticket costs, as opposed to the current full-price tickets, Rooney said: “It’s bad for me to say that because they do pay it here, with no complaints. We sell out preseason games. The Steeler nation, they’re wild. They like to see the preseason games to see these kids play and how they’re going to be, start guessing who’s good.”

Rooney said he was similarly against the expansion of the regular season from 14 to 16 games in 1978.

“That worked out fine,” he said. “But there is a limit.”

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_ ... tions.html (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/01/pittsburgh-steelers-dan-rooney-is-concerned-about-lack-of-progress-in-nfl-labor-negotiations.html)

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Pittsburgh Steelers' Dan Rooney is concerned about lack of progress in NFL labor negotiations

January 21, 2011

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0148c7dc88e6970c-800wi

Dan Rooney, chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers, isn’t directly involved in negotiations between NFL owners and players, but he’s concerned about the lack of progress between the sides and where that could lead.

“We should have a deal,” Rooney said Friday, speaking at Steelers headquarters to three reporters who cover the league on a national basis. “We should not let the disruption of next season happen because of a lockout, a strike, or whatever… It’s in everybody’s best interest to get a deal. The players, of course, want to play, and that’s what should happen.

“The games this year couldn’t be better. The ratings are high? So why would you step back?”

However, Rooney, who now serves as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, said owners are united in their determination to scrap the current collective-bargaining agreement, which expires in March.

“Status quo is not an option,” he said. “I just believe that [the opposing sides] could work out an agreement. There are points that could make this deal better for everyone.”

Rooney declined to address specifics of the talks, saying he wanted to leave those to the negotiators, but he expressed frustration at the glacial pace of the process.

His were the strongest-worded remarks on the issue from a team owner in months.

“I just think the negotiators should get it together and start doing what they should do, and get a deal,” he said, adding, “If they sit down and work things out, I think they could have a deal rather quickly.”

Rooney said the CBA over the years has gotten “a little too rich on one side” –- meaning the players’ side -– and indicated an agreement might have been reached sooner but for the 2008 death of Gene Upshaw, the former executive director of the NFL Players Assn.

“I think if Gene Upshaw were here, he’s someone I could talk to about this,” he said. “He’s someone who was for the game at all the time.”

Asked whether the owners’ lack of familiarity with current union head DeMaurice Smith has led to “a distrust” that’s complicating negotiations, Rooney said: “I don’t know the personalities. There is maybe distrust. Maybe dislike is a better word. But that’s beyond. You have a situation like this, you’ve got to get a deal. You’ve got to forget personalities.”

Rooney, whose late father, Art, founded the Steelers in 1933, has in past negotiations been a bridge between owners and players, and has long been regarded as an owner especially sympathetic to the interests of the players. His son, Art Rooney II, now runs the franchise on a day-to-day basis.

Unlike many owners, the elder Rooney is staunchly against expanding the regular season to 18 games, which is an issue in the current negotiations. Many players feel that would be too punishing to their bodies and would significantly shorten their careers.

“I would rather not get the money” than expand the regular season, Rooney said.

“You have a system that works, so why add them?” he said. “Now the people usually say, 'The preseason doesn’t work.’ Well, look at the preseason as the preseason and try to work that out. Don’t say you’re going to start messing with the full system.”

Asked whether he’d be in favor of playing preseason games with discounted ticket costs, as opposed to the current full-price tickets, Rooney said: “It’s bad for me to say that because they do pay it here, with no complaints. We sell out preseason games. The Steeler nation, they’re wild. They like to see the preseason games to see these kids play and how they’re going to be, start guessing who’s good.”

Rooney said he was similarly against the expansion of the regular season from 14 to 16 games in 1978.

“That worked out fine,” he said. “But there is a limit.”

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_ ... tions.html (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/01/pittsburgh-steelers-dan-rooney-is-concerned-about-lack-of-progress-in-nfl-labor-negotiations.html)

Yes, when people talk about dropping pre-season games, I think about how some of these young guys who might turn out to be real contrbutors later on in their Steeler careers need every single preseason game to develop and impress. I think maybe Redman might not be on our team if the pre-season had been only 3 games long ... didn't he barely make it onto the practice squad last year after four preseason games? I'm guessing there are others.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

I was thinking last night.....if they do indeed go to an 18 game schedule and want to drop two preseason games.....it would be cool if they only had 2 preseason games that the veterans or high draft picks played in, but then have 2 preseason games at half price where you could have more of your fringe players play in. Maybe expand the roster if going to a longer season to allow for more specialists. I don't know.....just a thought.

[proudpittsburgher]

Pittsburgh Steelers' Dan Rooney is concerned about lack of progress in NFL labor negotiations

January 21, 2011

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0148c7dc88e6970c-800wi

Dan Rooney, chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers, isn’t directly involved in negotiations between NFL owners and players, but he’s concerned about the lack of progress between the sides and where that could lead.

“We should have a deal,” Rooney said Friday, speaking at Steelers headquarters to three reporters who cover the league on a national basis. “We should not let the disruption of next season happen because of a lockout, a strike, or whatever… It’s in everybody’s best interest to get a deal. The players, of course, want to play, and that’s what should happen.

“The games this year couldn’t be better. The ratings are high? So why would you step back?”

However, Rooney, who now serves as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, said owners are united in their determination to scrap the current collective-bargaining agreement, which expires in March.

“Status quo is not an option,” he said. “I just believe that [the opposing sides] could work out an agreement. There are points that could make this deal better for everyone.”

Rooney declined to address specifics of the talks, saying he wanted to leave those to the negotiators, but he expressed frustration at the glacial pace of the process.

His were the strongest-worded remarks on the issue from a team owner in months.

“I just think the negotiators should get it together and start doing what they should do, and get a deal,” he said, adding, “If they sit down and work things out, I think they could have a deal rather quickly.”

Rooney said the CBA over the years has gotten “a little too rich on one side” –- meaning the players’ side -– and indicated an agreement might have been reached sooner but for the 2008 death of Gene Upshaw, the former executive director of the NFL Players Assn.

“I think if Gene Upshaw were here, he’s someone I could talk to about this,” he said. “He’s someone who was for the game at all the time.”

Asked whether the owners’ lack of familiarity with current union head DeMaurice Smith has led to “a distrust” that’s complicating negotiations, Rooney said: “I don’t know the personalities. There is maybe distrust. Maybe dislike is a better word. But that’s beyond. You have a situation like this, you’ve got to get a deal. You’ve got to forget personalities.”

Rooney, whose late father, Art, founded the Steelers in 1933, has in past negotiations been a bridge between owners and players, and has long been regarded as an owner especially sympathetic to the interests of the players. His son, Art Rooney II, now runs the franchise on a day-to-day basis.

Unlike many owners, the elder Rooney is staunchly against expanding the regular season to 18 games, which is an issue in the current negotiations. Many players feel that would be too punishing to their bodies and would significantly shorten their careers.

“I would rather not get the money” than expand the regular season, Rooney said.

“You have a system that works, so why add them?” he said. “Now the people usually say, 'The preseason doesn’t work.’ Well, look at the preseason as the preseason and try to work that out. Don’t say you’re going to start messing with the full system.”

Asked whether he’d be in favor of playing preseason games with discounted ticket costs, as opposed to the current full-price tickets, Rooney said: “It’s bad for me to say that because they do pay it here, with no complaints. We sell out preseason games. The Steeler nation, they’re wild. They like to see the preseason games to see these kids play and how they’re going to be, start guessing who’s good.”

Rooney said he was similarly against the expansion of the regular season from 14 to 16 games in 1978.

“That worked out fine,” he said. “But there is a limit.”

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_ ... tions.html (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/01/pittsburgh-steelers-dan-rooney-is-concerned-about-lack-of-progress-in-nfl-labor-negotiations.html)

Yes, when people talk about dropping pre-season games, I think about how some of these young guys who might turn out to be real contrbutors later on in their Steeler careers need every single preseason game to develop and impress. I think maybe Redman might not be on our team if the pre-season had been only 3 games long ... didn't he barely make it onto the practice squad last year after four preseason games? I'm guessing there are others.

I was of the opinion that Dwyer and Sylvester made this team based on their performances in the fourth exhibition game. The coaching staff is going to have to make a lot more difficult decisions basing their cuts on practice time as oppposed to game play. And I feel like they are almost always going to go with what they know over what might be someday, so a lot of the young guys are going to suffer. I think they are going to add roster spots though, so maybe it'll all work out. The expanded schedule worked out in the 70s but there is a lot more competition for spots these days then there was back then.

[Steeler Shades]

Rooney said: “It’s bad for me to say that because they do pay it here, with no complaints.
No complaints? Who would you complain to? I didn't know that season ticket holders had the choice to not pay full price for pre-season "exhibition" games and instead complain about it. They do pay it here because "they" lose their season tickets if they don't pay it here. 8)

[fezziwig]

I am glad he spoke up and the stand he is taking. As much as I love football 18 games is too much to ask of these players. They can hardly make it through the season healthy as it is and this will certainly water down the quality of the games, and shorten the careers of some players. IMHO

It's all greed on the NFLS part. If they want to make money they should go into the think tank and figure something else out on how to squeeze the last penny out of the fans and the commercial people.

[papillon]

Rooney said: “It’s bad for me to say that because they do pay it here, with no complaints.
No complaints? Who would you complain to? I didn't know that season ticket holders had the choice to not pay full price for pre-season "exhibition" games and instead complain about it. They do pay it here because "they" lose their season tickets if they don't pay it here. 8)

I agree with you on this one. I'm not sure why Dan made that statement, but I'm glad he's against the 18 game schedule.

Pappy

[Crash]

Then you have assclown Goodell claiming its "still a 20 game season".

Never mind the key fact that starters don't play in hardly the first or the last pre-season game.

[Steeler Shades]

..I'm glad he's against the 18 game schedule.
As am I. However I'd rather see an 18 game season than another NFL strike shortened one. It could get ugly. 8)

[NorthCoast]

Shortening the preseason will hurt the better teams more than the bad teams. How so?

With only a couple of preseason games, you are down to basicallly guessing who will make a good NFL player. There just is not enough time to do a true evaluation. Since good teams are already stacked with talent, it will make it that much more difficult to release a vet where you know what you are getting.

[Steeler Shades]

I have to believe that if the players agree to an 18 game season that they are also going to insist on more roster spots to spread some of the work load. 8)

[Irongut]

I have to believe that if the players agree to an 18 game season that they are also going to insist on more roster spots to spread some of the work load. 8)

That's always been part of the equation. More roster spots = more jobs = higher salaries. The Union is using it as a bargaining tool, nothing more. It makes no sense financially to fight it. It will happen.

The Union really messed up imo hiring an outsider to run the Union. He's had to spend so much time just learning the facts, he's put this situation behind the eight ball. He's afraid to lose in the negotiations and doesn't realize his biggest loss will be a lockout. It won't just be a loss for the players, it will be pure failure. The players need to learn their place. They are replaceable employees.

[Steeler Shades]

That's always been part of the equation. More roster spots = more jobs = higher salaries. The Union is using it as a bargaining tool, nothing more. It makes no sense financially to fight it. It will happen.
Agreed. But more roster spots also means less stress/risk to players being cut or evaluated incorrectly after only two exhibition games.

The Union really messed up imo hiring an outsider to run the Union. He's had to spend so much time just learning the facts, he's put this situation behind the eight ball. He's afraid to lose in the negotiations and doesn't realize his biggest loss will be a lockout. It won't just be a loss for the players, it will be pure failure.
Again...I agree. A lockout will be devastating for everybody in the NFL except perhaps the union head whom I assume will continue to get paid. The issues (as I understand them ) are not so huge that reasonable people shouldn't be able to negotiate some middle ground. I believe that was Ambassador Rooney's opinion also.

The players need to learn their place. They are replaceable employees.
The players IMHO are an import (critical) part of the NFL equation. Many/most of us remember the "replacement" players experience during the last strike. To say they are replaceable is an over simplification. You could also say the NFL and the owners are replicable. Obviously neither is a viable or attractive solution to what seems like reasonably surmountable differences between them. FWIW - my opinion is that the players "place" is on the field making millions of dollars for themselves and the owners while entertaining me while I'm drinking the advertiser's products. 8)

[Irongut]

Agreed. But more roster spots also means less stress/risk to players being cut or evaluated incorrectly after only two exhibition games.
So what. The players at the end of the roster by and large are mix and match anyway. More position numbers than talent evaluation. The talent level difference is minimal for the back end of rosters.

Again...I agree. A lockout will be devastating for everybody in the NFL except perhaps the union head whom I assume will continue to get paid. The issues (as I understand them ) are not so huge that reasonable people shouldn't be able to negotiate some middle ground. I believe that was Ambassador Rooney's opinion also.
The owners took a deal they didn't like last time. They won't do it this time. They have protected themselves with the television monies. They have billions coming, football or not. You know as well as I do most of the NFL players haven't saved or planned and will be bankrupt half way through a season.

The players IMHO are an import (critical) part of the NFL equation. Many/most of us remember the "replacement" players experience during the last strike. To say they are replaceable is an over simplification. You could also say the NFL and the owners are replicable. Obviously neither is a viable or attractive solution to what seems like reasonably surmountable differences between them. FWIW - my opinion is that the players "place" is on the field making millions of dollars for themselves and the owners while entertaining me while I'm drinking the advertiser's products. 8)The players are absolutely replaceable. Who are you going to replace the NFL and their owners with, UFL?, NFL Europe?, USFL? Tried and failed. The players can be replaced the following year. You really think players won't want to leave the union to satisfy their contracts? Players by and large have no way of earning similar monies the rest of their life. Ben has no way of earning $11 million next year but football. He likely won't earn that the rest of his life if football ended tomorrow for him. Ditto for most of the league. The players need to learn their place and accept what the owners are offering. I don't see them budging much, if at all. Why should they?