NFLPA Ready to File Grievance if LJ Isn't a Starter for the Chiefs
by Joel Thorman on Nov 1, 2009 10:52 AM CST
in 2009 Campaign
61 comments
Chris Mortensen of ESPN is reporting that the NFLPA is ready to douse some water on the idea of the Kansas City Chiefs simply deactivating Larry Johnson for the rest of the season upon his return from suspension on November 9th.
On Sunday NFL Countdown, Mort reports, "The union is ready to file another grievance if LJ is not restored to his prior playing status as a starter."
A common thought among many of us was that the Chiefs could simply deactivate LJ for the rest of the season preventing him from being released and signing with another team for another contract in addition to his 2009 salary with the Chiefs, which is guaranteed.
Not so, says the NFLPA, who reportedly would fight such a scenario.
Also, complicating matters is the situation with LJ last year when then head coach Herm Edwards did not officially suspend the player, instead simply deactivating him for three games. This is part of the reason the Chiefs settled with LJ yesterday, since technically this would not have been "progressive discipline" by the team.
The league eventually stepped in last year and suspended him for one game.
Mort also points out, as we've discussed in this space before, that the NFL may have indirectly saved LJ $330,000 by not handling the situation themselves. If the NFL had issued the suspension, the Commissioner's office would hear all appeals, decreasing the likelihood of losing an appeal. Since the team issued the suspension, it opened themselves up to a grievance that would have been heard by an independent arbitrator, thus the settlement before the hearing.
Mort's report begins to add some substance to the folks that are saying LJ will remain a member of the Chiefs. It may be easier for them to just keep him, and avoid any reaction from the NFLPA, than release him and face a fight with the union.
(H/T CT Chief Fan in the FanShots)
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Does any one know of a precedent?
I dont remember the NFLPA getting caught up in depth chart situations previously?
"I will fight you!"
"What is your weapon?"
"My bare hands!"
"That is stupid. I will use a sword and I will cut off your bare hands."
by CT Chief Fan on Nov 1, 2009 10:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Well
Not quite sure how all this works….but I know that, for example, players can not be cut because of substance abuse violations. However, it happens all the time, especially to guys that are deep on the depth chart. Not quite sure how this fight would go.
by Joel Thorman on Nov 1, 2009 10:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
They tried over the Terrell Owens thing in Philly.
Desperately hoping for Desperate Measures
by averagegatsby on Nov 1, 2009 11:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
They Did After The Keyshawn Johnson Situation In Tampa
Johnson got suspended anyway, but I believe the CBA was reworked to eliminate the possibility of it happening again.
It’s bullshit though, by the way…if the NFL is allowing the NFLPA to dictate lineup decisions to individual teams, then they’re too far down in the weeds.
Pioli’s decision not to cut Johnson prior to the season (even though they wouldn’t be on the hook for his contract) just gets better and better. Idiot.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West. Revision: We go 5-11 and finish behind Oakland.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
8. The Chiefs will have a bottom 10 defense this year.
9. RB will be a problem area this season on offense.
by UCrawford on Nov 1, 2009 3:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Questioning Pioli
So you are questioning Pioli’s judgement of talent when you have “Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Conner Barth did in 2008?.”
LJ is the most talented running back we have on the team right now. Jamaal Charles has potential, but is he an every-down back? Right now we have a bunch of project players at RB and we needed a known value.
by Nick Britt on Nov 1, 2009 3:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Even A Broken Clock Is Right Twice A Day
Pioli made a nice call on Succop, but he royally screwed the pooch by keeping Johnson. And frankly his screwup with Johnson was a hell of a lot more problematic than his good call on Succop was beneficial.
LJ is the most talented running back we have on the team right now.
He’s got the worst yards per carry of any RB on the roster except Mike Cox (who’s had two carries). He’s not only not the most talented RB on the roster…he’s shit.
Jamaal Charles has potential, but is he an every-down back?
Who cares? He’s better than Johnson and Johnson’s definitely not a good enough player to be an every down back anymore. He’s not even a good enough player to be a two-down back. Charles deserves more carries than Johnson simply for the fact that he’s got talent and Johnson doesn’t.
Right now we have a bunch of project players at RB and we needed a known value
There is not a team in the NFL that needs a “known value” of a RB that produces 2.7 yards per carry and can’t keep his mouth shut off the field.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West. Revision: We go 5-11 and finish behind Oakland.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
8. The Chiefs will have a bottom 10 defense this year.
9. RB will be a problem area this season on offense.
by UCrawford on Nov 1, 2009 3:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think Pioli's an idiot for keeping Johnson
I don’t even think he’s an idiot for drafting Jackson #3. Both were very bad moves, but neither makes him an idiot.
But on the LJ issue, I do think Pioli got duped by a professional. I get the impression that LJ’s a really sneaky, snake-oil type of guy who can convince someone not entireley familiar with him that he’s a good guy, here for the team, etc. I say this because I have a bit of that in myself, and we can smell our own.
by burntorangehorn on Nov 1, 2009 7:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Fair Enough
But honestly I don’t think that any GM who’d get suckered like that, considering how extensive Johnson’s behavioral problems have been in his time here, could be considered a competent GM.
If a player who’s been in trouble for the same kind of off-field issues four times and who’s thrown every coach he ever had in the pros under the bus suckers the GM into believing that he’s “really going to change this time”, then that GM is an idiot. Really. And so is the coach who continues to give that player playing time.
Considering how badly this appears to be blowing up on them, it’s turning into an almost fireable offense on their part.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West. Revision: We go 5-11 and finish behind Oakland.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
8. The Chiefs will have a bottom 10 defense this year.
9. RB will be a problem area this season on offense.
by UCrawford on Nov 1, 2009 8:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Pioli comes from a long line of guys who specialize in reclamation projects
Including Moss, Dillon, and many others. I think that’s what he was trying to do. Both those guys had extensive behavioral problems, and they turned pretty straight in NE.
by burntorangehorn on Nov 1, 2009 9:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That team
had a strong core of professional, championship veterans who could keep control of the team themselves. Not really quite like what we have.
Air Cassel - approved for takeoff
by kabrink on Nov 1, 2009 9:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And
He had Belichick in New England. Here he’s got a coach who’s struggled to win even one game.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West. Revision: We go 5-11 and finish behind Oakland.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
8. The Chiefs will have a bottom 10 defense this year.
9. RB will be a problem area this season on offense.
by UCrawford on Nov 1, 2009 10:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Belichick struggled to win early at New England too
Patience, dude.
by burntorangehorn on Nov 2, 2009 7:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Belichick Never Posted A Season Worse Than 5-11 In Either Cleveland Or New England
All I see Pioli and Haley doing is taking a 2-14 team from last season and making it worse by adding a bunch of New England/Arizona/Miami dregs and valuing obedience over talent (except in the case of Larry Johnson…who has neither obedience nor talent).
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West. Revision: We go 5-11 and finish behind Oakland.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
8. The Chiefs will have a bottom 10 defense this year.
9. RB will be a problem area this season on offense.
by UCrawford on Nov 2, 2009 8:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Belichick didn't inherit a team nearly as bad as the one Pioli and Haley did
He inherited a team that Carroll had actually done a decent job of maintaining in the post-Parcells era. Seriously, this is one of the worst rebuilding situations you’ll see.
I can’t believe how melodramatic the fanbase has become. They put up with the Peterson garbage for years, praising the drafting of LJ, Sims, Siavii, etc., lauding the hires of Vermeil and Edwards, and still going to games. Now, when the time comes to actually start a ground-up rebuild of a highly dysfunctional organization, people think the team should actually have a good record seven games into the first season.
by burntorangehorn on Nov 2, 2009 8:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The Cleveland Browns Went 3-13 Before Belichick Arrived
So yes…he did inherit as bad a team as the Chiefs did. So did Parcells and Sparano in Miami (1-15) and Smith and Dimitroff in Atlanta (3-13).
And this “we must get worse to get better” line of talk is complete b.s.. We heard the same crap from Herm and Carl when they were running the team into the ground and they were wrong. And Pioli and Haley are wrong if that’s what they believe now. If you have to get worse than 2-14 to get better, then you aren’t a good coach and you deserve to get fired. And any coach who says different, unless he’s got six first day draft picks in hand to rebuild with (like Jimmy Johnson in Dallas after the Herschel Walker trade) is just making excuses for being incompetent at his job.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West. Revision: We go 5-11 and finish behind Oakland.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
8. The Chiefs will have a bottom 10 defense this year.
9. RB will be a problem area this season on offense.
by UCrawford on Nov 2, 2009 8:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And Yes
Todd Haley is an incompetent coach. He’s taken a bad team and made it worse. And he’s been every bit as inept a game manager as Herm. Mainly because where Herm just didn’t really “get” NFL football, Haley is an insecure micromanaging control freak who can’t cede authority to anyone who might know more than himself.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West. Revision: We go 5-11 and finish behind Oakland.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
8. The Chiefs will have a bottom 10 defense this year.
9. RB will be a problem area this season on offense.
by UCrawford on Nov 2, 2009 8:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, And
He’s a gutless coward if he ever plays Larry Johnson again. Ever.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West. Revision: We go 5-11 and finish behind Oakland.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
8. The Chiefs will have a bottom 10 defense this year.
9. RB will be a problem area this season on offense.
by UCrawford on Nov 2, 2009 8:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
incompetent?
I’d like you to tell us whom you’d have hired, both at GM and coach.
by burntorangehorn on Nov 2, 2009 8:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
about that
They went 3-13 the season before Belichick, yes.
But what about the season before that? In 1989 they went 9-6-1 and won the AFC Central. in 1988 they were 10-6.
Just a little bit of history here…The browns had a fantastic team for quite some time but when Schottenheimer decided to leave they hired Bud Hanson who sucked royal in his 1.5 seasons.
Saying bellichecks inherited team was anywhere near as bad as the chiefs were when Pioli got here was laughable.
How about you give them a season before you act like Pioli is a chump and spend too much time on your knees in front of belichick
Predictions.
1. Tank Tyler will end up surprising everyone and be the anchor of our line.
"...Said he couldn't go on the American way"
by Jux on Nov 2, 2009 9:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually
Belichick has a history of success with reclamation projects…he was the one coaching them and dealing with them day-to-day. Pioli, on the other hand, shares a common lineage with a lot of guys who turned out to be really bad football people once they quit working with Belichick, and the coach he hired hasn’t shown he’s got any kind of ability to deal with reclamation projects with attitude problems (and no, Boldin is not a reclamation project).
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West. Revision: We go 5-11 and finish behind Oakland.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
8. The Chiefs will have a bottom 10 defense this year.
9. RB will be a problem area this season on offense.
by UCrawford on Nov 1, 2009 10:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I Do Like Jackson, Though
I think they erred on their handling of the o-line this offseason…majorly. But I don’t really have a problem with them drafting Jackson #3. Yet. That’ll change if he doesn’t develop. And I do think they royally screwed up on keeping Krumrie because that isn’t doing Jackson any favors.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
6. The Chiefs will go 7-9 in 2009, good for 2nd in the AFC West. Revision: We go 5-11 and finish behind Oakland.
7. Ryan Succop will not perform better in 2009 than Connor Barth did in 2008.
8. The Chiefs will have a bottom 10 defense this year.
9. RB will be a problem area this season on offense.
by UCrawford on Nov 1, 2009 8:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Lets just hope that one of our other RB's has a break out game.
Haley has shown Precedent that he will start players that preform good while starters are out.
Chiefs set an NFL record,most roster changes in 1 season.
by bringbacktheglory on Nov 1, 2009 11:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
that's what I'm thinking
if someone else steps up big… they can bench LJ for that reason.
It’s insane that the PA could try and tell Haley whom to start.
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
by stagdsp on Nov 1, 2009 12:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
all anyone has to do is be slightly better than historically bad ... how hard can that be?
wait, don’t answer that!
sersiously – given his horrendous stats, and given that a lot of guys are benched for having bad stats, I see no reason why LJ needs to actually play again, much less be a starter
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
by upamtn on Nov 1, 2009 10:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
Could this possibly get any stranger?
by RDOGuy on Nov 1, 2009 11:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
im afraid it could
"I will fight you!"
"What is your weapon?"
"My bare hands!"
"That is stupid. I will use a sword and I will cut off your bare hands."
by CT Chief Fan on Nov 1, 2009 11:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
OK
Since the NFLPA is going to make this call, we don’t have to give him the ball, start him, never let him run make him pass block, when he does the crapy job he always does with with it bench him for the rest of the game, not like he has broken any big runs off or even a little run, or well did anything for us this year.
by AirForceChief on Nov 1, 2009 11:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Apparently the NFLPA has no idea about his negative 13 yards per carry
Desperately hoping for Desperate Measures
by averagegatsby on Nov 1, 2009 11:23 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
this is what I have been saying
BECAUSE we kept handing him the ball with poor production we cant just bench him right away…and either way he has a case..
I understand the price,, and at this point id rather just get rid of him……
to not just waste a roster spot, but also be required to give him the ball and the record….
I wont cheer for him. ever. If he plays, ill be disgusted.
by SDChief on Nov 1, 2009 11:30 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
This defys logic!
It doesn’t sound feasible to me. How the hell can, and what idiot or idiots would ever agree to give the NFLPA the power to dictate anything about playing time to a team? That’s utterly ridicules!
I’m a strong supporter of Unions, (especially living in ummm, so called “right to work state”. The ONLY right you as an employee are afforded, is the right to absolutely NOTHING) But this is the kind of shit that makes Unions look bad to common folk.
I’m going to wait on this thing, it just seems so stupid and short sighted, that I can’t imagine any one, from owners, Team Presidents, GM’s or Coaches EVER giving up the ability to make personnel decisions, regardless of the circumstances.
by JohnNdallas on Nov 1, 2009 11:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I Agree 100%
Wow. The NFLPA can dictate to a team who has to start? That’s pretty effed up, if you ask me.
Jay Glazer said on the FOX pre-game, that he expected LJ to be de-activated for most of, if not the rest of the season. He’s usually right…so it could be interesting to see what happens.
Releasing LJ is looking better and better. The Chiefs need to be rid of this headache. Pioli and Haley have a lot more important things to be worried about than this LJ BS. Like getting better as a football team.
by Scott B. on Nov 1, 2009 11:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Seems to me it'd be tough to win ANY kind of grievance based on LJ's playing time.
Not that I think KC should have to defend their roster moves to anyone but us fans, who will punish them in ticket sales, but 2.7 ypc is league-low. Demoting or deactivating is eminently defensible, if that’s what they choose to do.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Nov 1, 2009 1:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The thing is we're completely changing the offense while he's away
worst case scenario, we can argue that he would need a few weeks to get up to speed on how the new offense works. Moreover, let the NFLPA file their stupid grievance. I don’t think they have a case. This guy is absolute trash as a player and as a person. But he is being benched for being trash as a player. We can even publicly state that we will be cutting him at the end of the season and we need to put our other RBs into the fire for the rest of the season as a means of assessing our needs at the end of the year. I don’t think the NFLPA has a case and I’ll be damned if I let those schmucks dictate our depth chart.
More reason I hate unions… they represent the laziest and most unproductive scumbags and hurt the rank and file that bust their asses trying to be the best. NFLPA is now right up there with SEIU and AFSCME in my eyes (public employee unions draw my most pronounced contempt and derision). I hope the owners rob these guys blind in the upcoming CBA negotiations.
For justice we must go to Don Pioli
by Sudden on Nov 1, 2009 11:38 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
"I hope the owners rob these guys blind in the upcoming CBA negotiations."
That’s a forgone conclusion in my mind! The owners didn’t opt out of the CBA to help the fans or the players, only their bottom lines.
I hope some one “robs you blind”
I take serious offense to your suggestion err scratch that, your proclamation that unions “represent the laziest and most unproductive scumbags”.
Just shows that you let your ass do the talking when your head doesn’t know any better!
by JohnNdallas on Nov 1, 2009 11:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
you're out of line, John
Read the rules of the site, if you haven’t already. Refrain from those kinds of personal attacks. This is not the forum for it.
by thehulk on Nov 1, 2009 12:18 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think he's out of line
and he went after me. What I said was controversial enough to provoke him because my own language was a bit over the top.
For justice we must go to Don Pioli
by Sudden on Nov 1, 2009 12:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Neither of you were, imo, except for the "... hope some one robs you blind."
Unions can be essential. But I agree that they don’t represent the rank-and-file guys as well as they should. Like to see the no-names who just do their jobs get some better long-term financial reward for their efforts.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Nov 1, 2009 1:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, I speak from personal experience as a teamster...
so its not entirely without base. Personally, I reject the very notion of a closed shop. If you wish to organize, your prerogative, but I don’t think anyone else should be forced/coerced into the same. Beyond that, when I was a teamster (with UPS), I was unable to negotiate my own terms of employment. I was given a health insurance package I did not need (I was young, and a fulltime student who already had the high deductible plan I preferred at the time), when both myself and my employer would have preferred to give me an extra $0.50 an hour and drop the health insurance plan. Its cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all BS. Oh, and then there is the promotion based on how long you’ve taken up space at the company for with no regard for merit (except in the management promotions that were non-union positions). Oh, and then when they tried retroactively doubling the union initation fee six months after I was hired and applying it to everyone hired within the past year, which constituted a complete violation of the originally contracted terms of my joining. So yeah, I speak as someone who actually has been screwed by a union. If you wish to join one, that is your choice, I believe strongly in free association. But I also believe firmly in the right of contract and the freedom of an employer to can an entire union and hire scabs instead (although the union-types generally threaten scabs with physical violence when such events transpire).
For justice we must go to Don Pioli
by Sudden on Nov 1, 2009 12:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm pretty anti-union...
…particularly when it comes to the NFL and MLB players’ unions. They’re just bad for the game. But some unions have been good. I wouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater, but rather just run a new bath.
by burntorangehorn on Nov 1, 2009 7:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
SOME unions do a LOT of good things and protect/help good, honest, hard-working people who've been wronged by others
don’t equate NFLPA with the good things done by good unions, and there are many
Sudden: as of now, and being someone who happens to a “public employee” (a teacher) with your comment, you draw MY utmost contempt and derision with your “blanket statement”
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
by upamtn on Nov 1, 2009 10:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
As I read it
The Chiefs can’t just deactivate him, that’s not saying he gets his starting role back either. He can be dropped down the depth chart on performance alone, not as any part of a punishment. From that point the Chiefs don’t have to play him unless there are injuries ahead of him on the depth chart. With Haley looking into changing some of the offense there are plenty of reasons to drop LJ in depth without the union having anything to say about it.
This is the Union trying to talk a stand on any issue before the CBA is reached, but I wonder if actions like this will harm their cause more than it helps. You have to pick your battles and to me going to bat for LJ is not the best battle to get into.
is it me? or isn't about time the Lamar Hunt trophy belonged to His team?
I’m a Chiefs fan Dammit and I’m damn proud of it!
by KC Fanatic on Nov 1, 2009 11:42 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Agreed about the NFLPA just being combative
and you’re absolutely right that LJ is not the guy they should be going to bat for. In PR terms, I’m now so against the NFLPA that I’d rather watch replacement players out there (maybe then we can win with 22 guys off the street). I would rather see the owners wiping their asses with $1,000 bills than have LJ buying his groupies and hangers-on bottles of crystal in Vegas.
For justice we must go to Don Pioli
by Sudden on Nov 1, 2009 11:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Putting on my LJ hat...
I’ve seen numerous RB careers shortened due to factors beyond their control. For all his faults, LJ has NOT been put in good position to succeed by the Chiefs org, since Willie Roaf retired.
Hard to argue TOO hard in his favor, since if he’s sensible about his spending, he oughta be set for life.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Nov 1, 2009 2:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
As I read it
As I read Mort’s comments: “The union is ready to file another grievance if LJ is not restored to his prior playing status as a starter.”
by Nick Britt on Nov 1, 2009 3:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
NFLPA and starters
Could you imagine what would happen if they forced the Chiefs to start him. All of the idiots that have been benched will be filing grievances to get their starting jobs back.
by dustinw82 on Nov 1, 2009 11:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
As far as I know
They can not dictate starting positions, and if they try to I’m sure this one the Chiefs will fight all the way. No settlement on this point and I think they would have NFL backing because no team want the union telling them who will start and get paid for the starts.
is it me? or isn't about time the Lamar Hunt trophy belonged to His team?
I’m a Chiefs fan Dammit and I’m damn proud of it!
by KC Fanatic on Nov 1, 2009 11:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Common sensical.
We’ll see if common sense wins the day.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
by hmills110 on Nov 1, 2009 2:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
N F L will not let this happen
If the NFLPA steps in and makes the chiefs start him. I think the NFL will stop it fast. L J works for the CHIEFS . they can do what they want. make him a high paid waterboy. let him scoop up horse poop.
by Charles # 1 chiefs fan on Nov 1, 2009 11:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
this is stupid
Teams should be able to start whoever the hell they feel like starting. Nobody outside the franchise should have any influence on their depth chart.
by jonnyu on Nov 1, 2009 1:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
huh?
wait a minute..so anyone can just get the union on their side and get their way? I always thought on a team, the coach can start/bench who he chooses? this is such BS!! Precedent?? what does it say to anyone out there in the league, that you can do and say what you want, and then come out smelling like a rose if you threaten with the union and a grievance. Makes me sick. If they wanna bench him, they should have that right. I guess the inmates are running the asylum…
by be cee on Nov 1, 2009 1:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
So being the RB with the 4th most carries in the NFL
and only averaging 2.7YPC isn’t a good enough reason to deactivate someone?
by Jawookie on Nov 1, 2009 1:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The report is absurd
The NFLPA hardly cares who starts as all the players are it’s members. As for KC, you don’t want him? Cut him. If not pay him.
by FrankPitts on Nov 1, 2009 5:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
We made a mistake by keeping LJ
We could have been off the hook with his contract, but we kept him anyway.
So essentially, we signed an almost 30 year old RB to a three year contract worth millions, when he hasn’t been a top rusher since 2006.
Hindsight is 20/20 though. I was indifferent about the situation in the offseason.
by Vince D on Nov 1, 2009 6:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Wow....
This could be a big deal…
BUT I think the Chiefs could do it anyway because they can’t claim it isn’t based on performance when his numbers are that horrific…Any attempt to say it is used as punishment can be refuted with a citation of his horrible stats…
Don't forget to be an AP-vangelist...Tell A Friend...
by woodman212 on Nov 1, 2009 7:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
He is not payed by the start or by the carry so I do not think they could win.
If he is getting his paycheck why do we have to play him. Ridiculous. Cut him because he is a douchebag not because he sent a tweet. Surely you can do that.
by saskwatch on Nov 1, 2009 8:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
yes, he gets performance incentives
so they view it as “extra punishment”. Their argument, not mine.
Air Cassel - approved for takeoff
by kabrink on Nov 1, 2009 9:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Then he should perform better...
He is performing as one of the worst in the league….show them the numbers and the arbitrator will agree it is a reasonable benching.
Don't forget to be an AP-vangelist...Tell A Friend...
by woodman212 on Nov 1, 2009 11:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
just got back in town, catching up on the LJ news and the whole settlement thing is disgusting
one lousy week’s worth of salary – worse, the union will fight if he’s not a starter??? please … absolutely disgusting
the head of the union should imagine a scenario where he and the union are dissed the way LJ dissed others. and then be asked if he’d still fight for that player
I could care less if another team takes him … Pioli needs to drop LJ like a hot potato
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
by upamtn on Nov 1, 2009 10:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Think people--
…never in the history of planet earth has the NFLPA told a team whom to start. That’s just dumb.
by FrankPitts on Nov 1, 2009 11:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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