[Chunkylover53]

First, and foremost, let me say RIP to Gene Upshaw and may GOD bless him and his family.

now to the the main topic. before this season this was chatter of how there might possibly be no more salary cap after this season or the next and how the Raiders may have splurged this offseason in anticipating it. now with Gene's passing, what do you all think? how much might Gene's passing affect this?

*also, to those attending the games this Saturday, lets all black out the coliseum. not just because it is a home game, but for Gene. even if all you have is a white Raider jersey, just wear a black Raider shirt or something. that would be pretty cool. i know i will be sporting black.

[ice4444]

There is no way the owners will let the salary cap go; their thought is that they are giving up 60% of the revenues already to the players, so they are not going to take the roof off of the building.

Troy Vincent is in the lead so far to succeed Gene. The NFLPA representative on the NFL network said that this has shocked them and they had no plan in place if something like this happened.

There are grumblings from the retired players that the young players, "whatever" attitude is disturbing because they are getting much more money in revenues and in pensions while they get very little.

If you remember, Al Davis and Gene Upshaw wanted to build 2 homes for retired NFL players that would pay for all of their bills/care if they needed help. Gene Upshaw had the players all for it as well but Al Davis was the ONLY owner that agreed to it. Pretty pathetic.

[HITMAN]

Originally Posted by ice4444

There is no way the owners will let the salary cap go; their thought is that they are giving up 60% of the revenues already to the players, so they are not going to take the roof off of the building.

Troy Vincent is in the lead so far to succeed Gene. The NFLPA representative on the NFL network said that this has shocked them and they had no plan in place if something like this happened.

There are grumblings from the retired players that the young players, "whatever" attitude is disturbing because they are getting much more money in revenues and in pensions while they get very little.

If you remember, Al Davis and Gene Upshaw wanted to build 2 homes for retired NFL players that would pay for all of their bills/care if they needed help. Gene Upshaw had the players all for it as well but Al Davis was the ONLY owner that agreed to it. Pretty pathetic.

Some also believe Trace Armstrong could be a candidate to fill the position, but I doubt this will happen this year at least not during the season, the position will be filled after the season ends.

[ice4444]

Trace would be a good pick too; Troy Vincent is really lobbying for it so you never know. The NFL makes so much money that I hope the retired players get taken care of.

[559Raider]

I've heard Trace Armstrong, Troy Vincent and Robert Smith. There were also a couple more ex players but I can not remember their names.

[HITMAN]

Originally Posted by ice4444

Trace would be a good pick too; Troy Vincent is really lobbying for it so you never know. The NFL makes so much money that I hope the retired players get taken care of.

I know that's been a delicate area, particularly from former players like Joe DeLamielleure, who felt Upshaw didn't do enough for retired players, but from what I saw in a statement made by Robert Smith, many of these former players are getting three times what they would have received, thanks to Gene Upshaw.

[Raider Ran]

Originally Posted by 559Raider

I've heard Trace Armstrong, Troy Vincent and Robert Smith. There were also a couple more ex players but I can not remember their names.

All three were players. All very much respected by the player. Any of the three would be a great choice.

[HorrorSCope]

It is interesting that a lot of people feel it has to be an ex-player. In the other sports they usually are blood-sucking lawyers (I mean this in the nicest way) so they can squeeze every last dollar out. That is my fear, something inside of me thinks the players want to see the cap go bye-bye and I'm sure many agents keep telling them that.

[HITMAN]

Originally Posted by HorrorSCope

It is interesting that a lot of people feel it has to be an ex-player. In the other sports they usually are blood-sucking lawyers (I mean this in the nicest way) so they can squeeze every last dollar out. That is my fear, something inside of me thinks the players want to see the cap go bye-bye and I'm sure many agents keep telling them that.

Most likely, but if the owners are smart they will say no way to getting rid of the cap... the salaries would be even bigger and payrolls would be out of control.

[guydon]

Heard donavan darious (sp) on sirus talking about how they elected an interum guy (not sure of the name) but he sounded confident all would go well...dang my spelling is bad today!

[ice4444]

Originally Posted by HITMAN

I know that's been a delicate area, particularly from former players like Joe DeLamielleure, who felt Upshaw didn't do enough for retired players, but from what I saw in a statement made by Robert Smith, many of these former players are getting three times what they would have received, thanks to Gene Upshaw.

I think what sucks is that Upshaw gets the blame but the NFL and Tagliabue is the one that screwed them. Real sports did a story on retired NFL players and the problem is that they wont put them on disability. Many of them cant' walk without a cane or even take care of themselves. When they go to their doctors they say they are disabled, and then when they go to the NFL doctors they say they can get a desk job and wont grant the disability. Only 3-5% of ex NFL players ever get on disability. When the insurance money runs out the players are stuck with the bill. Conrad Dobler's legs look like crap with lines and scars all over them.

The NFL doesn't want to give up much but then the NFLPA is supposed to foot the entire bill.

The salary cap is going nowhere. I see another possible strike in the future like the 2 in the 80's. It will be interesting.

[MadStork83]

Originally Posted by ice4444

If you remember, Al Davis and Gene Upshaw wanted to build 2 homes for retired NFL players that would pay for all of their bills/care if they needed help. Gene Upshaw had the players all for it as well but Al Davis was the ONLY owner that agreed to it. Pretty pathetic.

How charitable... Man, I feel low right now. There's no greater fun than watching these 53-man armies beat each other up solely for our entertainment and then have to watch them live out their shortened lives in pain and reclusiveness in nursing homes.

I hate myself. But yet I can't wait for gameday. We are a sad species.

[HBD]

The owners will INSIST on putting a limit on rookie salaries !

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