Why Doesn't The NFL Have An Arbitration Process

[SoFlaJets]

that would address exactly what the Jets are going through with Revis? I'll bet you before it's all said and done that Goodell steps in and makes the Jets trade him so as not to have one of the top players in the game sit for more than a season. Of course when Goody two Shoes DOES step in count on the Jets taking it up the kazoo

[T0mShane]

I'd imagine it's because of the fluid nature of the NFL contract. You can arbitrate it until the cows come home, sign it, and then the club can rip it up the next season if they don't like it.

[billo83]

that would address exactly what the Jets are going through with Revis? I'll bet you before it's all said and done that Goodell steps in and makes the Jets trade him so as not to have one of the top players in the game sit for more than a season. Of course when Goody two Shoes DOES step in count on the Jets taking it up the kazoo

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in baseball don't the players win most of these cases?

[flgreen]

that would address exactly what the Jets are going through with Revis? I'll bet you before it's all said and done that Goodell steps in and makes the Jets trade him so as not to have one of the top players in the game sit for more than a season. Of course when Goody two Shoes DOES step in count on the Jets taking it up the kazoo

Do you remember when the Jets and Skins had an arbitrator for the kick returner the Skins signed from us.

The guy was a Skins season ticket holder. Of course the Jets lost the dispute. Pass

What’s to arbitrate? This isn’t about how much Revis should be paid. The guy is in violation of his contract.

period

[SoFlaJets]

I'd imagine it's because of the fluid nature of the NFL contract. You can arbitrate it until the cows come home, sign it, and then the club can rip it up the next season if they don't like it.

I mean an arbitrator that would settle something like this-a guy has a contract and wants a new one but then won't budge from his demands so the Jets are forced to make him sit out say 1,2,3 years-Goodell will never let that happen...guarantee he steps in and makes us release him to the highest bidder and we get like 1 first rounder and some cash compensation-it's coming, you watch-we're going to get the short end of this stick

[ECURB]

I mean an arbitrator that would settle something like this-a guy has a contract and wants a new one but then won't budge from his demands so the Jets are forced to make him sit out say 1,2,3 years-Goodell will never let that happen...guarantee he steps in and makes us release him to the highest bidder and we get like 1 first rounder and some cash compensation-it's coming, you watch-we're going to get the short end of this stick

I would not consider it the short end of the stick, the difference between Revis and Cro/Wilson types are much smaller than say Mark Sanchez and Peyton Manning.... the JETS can have the #1 D without Revis, the Colts would not be an offensive powerhouse with Sanchez instead of Manning.

[SoFlaJets]

I would not consider it the short end of the stick, the difference between Revis and Cro/Wilson types are much smaller than say Mark Sanchez and Peyton Manning.... the JETS can have the #1 D without Revis, the Colts would not be an offensive powerhouse with Sanchez instead of Manning.

absolutely

[GodWearsAGrayHoodie]

that would address exactly what the Jets are going through with Revis? I'll bet you before it's all said and done that Goodell steps in and makes the Jets trade him so as not to have one of the top players in the game sit for more than a season. Of course when Goody two Shoes DOES step in count on the Jets taking it up the kazoo

I would take your bet. Goodell is not going to step in, and he certain isn't going to order the Jets to trade him.

As for arbitration, what is there to arbitrate? Revis is under contract, the contract and the CBA clearly spell out what happens if Revis doesn't report.

[SoFlaJets]

I would take your bet. Goodell is not going to step in, and he certain isn't going to order the Jets to trade him.

As for arbitration, what is there to arbitrate? Revis is under contract, the contract and the CBA clearly spell out what happens if Revis doesn't report.

what I'm saying is what happens if this impasse goes another year (assuming of course there is a 2011 season) and still no progress and it looks like Revis is about to hold out for a second consecutive year? One of the game's top players, in his prime, I could see an action like an "in the best interest of the game" type deal being implemented.

[GodWearsAGrayHoodie]

what I'm saying is what happens if this impasse goes another year (assuming of course there is a 2011 season) and still no progress and it looks like Revis is about to hold out for a second consecutive year? One of the game's top players, in his prime, I could see an action like an "in the best interest of the game" type deal being implemented.

At most I could see is maybe Goodell offering to sit down with both parties, nothing more. You are over valuing Revis to the league. Is Godell involved with Manning's contract negotiations? Brady's? Did he get involved in getting Farve to give the Vikings a decision on his retirement before camp began. And we are talking about league MVPs caliber players not runnerups in the DPOY award.

The reality is the league doesn't need Revis. He might help the Jets win some games. But if he never returns the league will keep rolling along. He is not the LeBron James of the NFL. He isn't even close. He is a top player, but not a mega-start the way Brady, Manning or Farve are. Brady's absence from games 2-17 of 2008 did result in very small drop off in viewership and ticket demand at the stadium vs what it would have been if Brady had not gotten hurt, it existed but it was very small. Revis being absent will have even less of an effect. The NFL still made a top of money in 2008 without Brady, and NFL will continue to make money without Revis. You are overvaluing Revis's importance to the league.

[SoFlaJets]

the whole problem is that Revis himself seems to think he's on the same level as Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and LeBron James when in reality he's had one great year-there is a difference though with New York being the biggest market in the NFL world and the commish being right there in Manhattan so he's hyper aware of what is going on there.

[GodWearsAGrayHoodie]

the whole problem is that Revis himself seems to think he's on the same level as Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and LeBron James when in reality he's had one great year-there is a difference though with New York being the biggest market in the NFL world and the commish being right there in Manhattan so he's hyper aware of what is going on there.

Yes, NYC is the biggest NFL market in the world. But the Jets are the second most important football team in that market. (not meant as dig, it is reality, the Giants is the team, just like the Yankees not the Mets.) My point being is Goodell won't get involved if it was Peyton or the a player on the Giants or the Cowboys, it is just not a league issue.

The fact that Revis thinks he is Lebron is Johnson's problem not Goodell's.

[SoFlaJets]

Yes, NYC is the biggest NFL market in the world. But the Jets are the second most important football team in that market. (not meant as dig, it is reality, the Giants is the team, just like the Yankees not the Mets.) My point being is Goodell won't get involved if it was Peyton or the a player on the Giants or the Cowboys, it is just not a league issue.

The fact that Revis thinks he is Lebron is Johnson's problem not Goodell's.

yea but I'm tellin' ya, the Jets have a way to always set precedence-it was because of a bad call against Seattle on a Vinny QB sneak in 1998 which caused the NFL to implement Instant replay...I know this team...

[GodWearsAGrayHoodie]

yea but I'm tellin' ya, the Jets have a way to always set precedence-it was because of a bad call against Seattle on a Vinny QB sneak in 1998 which caused the NFL to implement Instant replay...I know this team...

Instant replay was already being discussed it wasn't one play, even if that play was the poster child.

Just like Brady's injury was the final catalyst to implement some QB protection rules already being discussed. The move to have more division game late in the season was also the Jets and Colts fault. (not really the Jets fault). The Chargers getting high draft pick after playing deep into the playoffs in 2008 changed the draft order in the 2010 draft. There was also some discussion of changing the way future playoffs were seeded base on Colts (14-2) visiting an 8-8 team. Or an 11-5 team missing all together. But what you are suggesting would have been the equivalent of changing the order in the 2009 draft, which was not done.

Could the Revis situation help shape the CBA and result in rule changes regarding hold outs? I expect it will. Will it be treated as a special case by Godell? I strongly doubt it.

[jussssstme]

I mean an arbitrator that would settle something like this-a guy has a contract and wants a new one but then won't budge from his demands so the Jets are forced to make him sit out say 1,2,3 years-Goodell will never let that happen...guarantee he steps in and makes us release him to the highest bidder and we get like 1 first rounder and some cash compensation-it's coming, you watch-we're going to get the short end of this stick

No way Goodell would do that. That would blatantly telling ALL the owners EEF U.

I bet every owner is secretly hoping the Jets stand their ground and make him sit out. No one owner wishes to do it because the team does get hurt. But if Jets did, Revis' career is seriously hurt. After the 3 years, whosoever would sign him after 3 years away, he gets not even 5 mill a year til he proves himself.

And I am sure fines would accumulate still. So, he'd owe the jets a few bucks out of that new deal.

Won't happen. No way.

[jussssstme]

I would take your bet. Goodell is not going to step in, and he certain isn't going to order the Jets to trade him.

As for arbitration, what is there to arbitrate? Revis is under contract, the contract and the CBA clearly spell out what happens if Revis doesn't report.

I don't often agree with rats fans, but he right.

[jussssstme]

what I'm saying is what happens if this impasse goes another year (assuming of course there is a 2011 season) and still no progress and it looks like Revis is about to hold out for a second consecutive year? One of the game's top players, in his prime, I could see an action like an "in the best interest of the game" type deal being implemented.

Won't happen.

[flgreen]

what I'm saying is what happens if this impasse goes another year (assuming of course there is a 2011 season) and still no progress and it looks like Revis is about to hold out for a second consecutive year? One of the game's top players, in his prime, I could see an action like an "in the best interest of the game" type deal being implemented.

Nope. The Troll is right.

As a franchise league the NFL has the right to examine all contracts, and either approve, or disapprove them. Once a contract is signed, and approved by the league it becomes a civil matter.

The NFL has NO Right to step in, and Force one of the parties to accept less of a service, or pay more money, for the same service that has already been agreed upon .

If the NFL attempted to do that Woody could go Al Davis all over them and take the NFL to court, and easily win. The contract is clear, and Revis is in clear violation of it.

What both sides could do is agree to binding arbitration. Why would the Jets do that? Revis is in the wrong both from a moral stand point, and a legal stand point. He has violated his contract. He must deal with the repercussions of that.

[Jetsfan80]

The Player's Association has WAY more power in the MLB than in the NFL. Nothing player-friendly like arbitration is ever likely to happen in the new CBA.

[TheSage]

This is NOT a matter for the League or the players association. Their involvement does not exist except with respect to the the interpretation of the contract. There is or appears to be no question regarding the interpretaion of the Revis contract. That being the case, under contract law, the player cannot play for anyone else, the Jets have breach of contract claims. That being said, I find it difficult to believe that this will not beresolved inb the next two weeks between the contracting parties. Depending upon the wording the contract, the Jets may hold his rights until he fulfills the remaining years of the contract not necessarily the original term of the contract. If the contract has two years to run, it could be that he owes them two years after he returns to play.

[dbatesman]

Of course when Goody two Shoes DOES step in count on the Jets taking it up the kazoo

Really? That would be a dream come true to the brain trust around here.

[BroadwayJ667]

because it would have to be negotiated into the CBA.

In theory I like the idea. In a sense it could do away with the franchise tag or it could be an alternative to it. The arbitration could be a one year deal.

It would be complicated to say the least

[TheSage]

because it would have to be negotiated into the CBA.

In theory I like the idea. In a sense it could do away with the franchise tag or it could be an alternative to it. The arbitration could be a one year deal.

It would be complicated to say the least

It would never happen because it would effectively make every contract a series of one year contracts with options. Any time a player equals or exceeds expectations he will want arbitration. Any times a player does not perform up to his pay scale the team would want arbitration. Alternatively both parties could waive the clause and we are back to Jets/MEvis

[billo83]

It's a nice thought SoFla but i agree with the others here that Arbitration just won't work in this league. Something needs to be done to eliminate this crap for sure, but I'm just not sure what can be done effectively. One thing I would like to see changed though, is to not allow a player to sign by week 10 and get another accrued year. I say if he doesn't sign or report before week 1, then the player is out for the year and loses the accrued year of service. That way both parties know what's at stake and can plan accordingly. As it is now, every week will be does Mevis finally sign? I'd rather be done with it one way or the other.

[BroadwayJ667]

It would never happen because it would effectively make every contract a series of one year contracts with options. Any time a player equals or exceeds expectations he will want arbitration. Any times a player does not perform up to his pay scale the team would want arbitration. Alternatively both parties could waive the clause and we are back to Jets/MEvis

At it's heart isn't that what the NFL already is. Teams can cut a player at any time. It's just a matter of whether they will take a hit to their cap or not.

[bitonti]

At it's heart isn't that what the NFL already is. Teams can cut a player at any time. It's just a matter of whether they will take a hit to their cap or not.

exactly the "arbitration" in the NFL is built into the fact the NFL can break their side of the contract at any given time. Arbitration would only help the players like Revis not the ownership.

[TheSage]

NFL contracts are not guaranteed unless the contract has guarenteed payments. Revis did have X dollars of guaranteed money in his contract as i understood (21 MM)it however wanted more. What was suggested was arbitration which as i said earlier would have obviated the guaranteed portion of a contract assuming that the arbitration provisions worked both ways and created a series of one year contracts.