We are really close to a new CBA

[X-Era]

Rookie wage scale is done, that was the final big issue. They are still working at it. Not much left to do.

I fully expect a firestorm of activity for the first few weeks or month of the new year... could be daily news. I'm getting excited and I will be tuning in and posting away when it all gets going... Get your digging shovels for your Bills and NFL stories, it could be fast and furious.

http://twitter.com/#!/AlbertBreer/status/91649539093704705

My understanding is concessions came on both sides, on rookie deal. Owners gave on Year 5 $$, it seems. Players gave on renegotiation rules.

http://twitter.com/#!/mortreport/status/91655332782288896

Open issues to finish include right of first refusals on this year's FA class, workman's comp, settlement of Brady & TV damage cases....

http://twitter.com/#!/mortreport/status/91655531118342144

Also open is NFLPA re-certifying as a union and more comprehensive arbitration system, minus judicial oversight.

[X-Era]

And before someone reads Mort's still to do list the wrong way, he said this:

RT @FinzHeatMarlins (http://twitter.com/FinzHeatMarlins): @mortreport (http://twitter.com/mortreport) that doesnt sound very "close" to me >> Depends. Side groups have been working on some/most for awhile.

http://twitter.com/#!/mortreport/status/91657689305845760

[X-Era]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/14/rookie-wage-scale-is-done/

[DraftBoy]

Insert FTY negative comment here.

[X-Era]

It's getting better:

http://twitter.com/#!/mortreport/status/91673163435479041

Even skeptical participants among negotiating teams are almost stunned at momentum resolving remaining issues.

[YardRat]

It's going to take a few days for the players to re-certify the union.

[X-Era]

It's moving quicker:

http://twitter.com/#!/mortreport/status/91678059261997056

Sal Paolantonio also reporting that settlement is on fast track....

[X-Era]

It's going to take a few days for the players to re-certify the union.Not sure that precludes getting the new CBA done.

[DraftBoy]

It's going to take a few days for the players to re-certify the union.

Per my earlier thread, everything is still on target for the 21st.

[X-Era]

Mort's prediction:

http://twitter.com/#!/mortreport/status/91680657046118400

RT @Curry_Brandon93 (http://twitter.com/Curry_Brandon93): @mortreport (http://twitter.com/mortreport) how much longer til at least a agreement in principle. >> At this pace, could be within 24-48 hrs.

[Night Train]

Sal Pal just on ESPN basically believing deal could be finished this weekend before returning to Minny for a court date, which neither side wants to do.

[X-Era]

Sal Pal just on ESPN basically believing deal could be finished this weekend before returning to Minny for a court date, which neither side wants to do.With a full day tomorrow, I think this think gets done before Saturday... maybe even tonight with it being reported tomorrow.

[X-Era]

Looks like it's 120 mill cap:

http://twitter.com/#!/mortreport/status/91690215051239424

John Clayton reports salary cap will be $120 million for 2011, plus $21 million in benefits per club

[YardRat]

Not sure that precludes getting the new CBA done.
Can you have a collective bargaining agreement without a labor organization and approval from a vote from the membership?

[Blame Canada]

Even if it were to get done tomorrow, there is a lot of waiting thru july 21 to be done. A lot of procedural stuff has to go on, then the owners need to officially vote before it is officially game on as far as player signings go. So we will probably get the news that there will indeed be football, but next week is going to be a lot of waiting before opening presents on christmas morning so to speak.

[Extremebillsfan247]

Can you have a collective bargaining agreement without a labor organization and approval from a vote from the membership? A labor agreement as part of a settlement case wouldn't need a union in place to be ratified. It's a little different of a process than collective bargaining.

[X-Era]

Can you have a collective bargaining agreement without a labor organization and approval from a vote from the membership?It appears you're right:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/14/talks-end-for-the-day-with-a-deal-closer-than-ever/

“All the reports that are floating around, there really is no deal until our players approve it (http://twitter.com/#%21/AlbertBreer/status/91713273665302529).” He’s right. The players must approve it. Specifically, at least 50 percent plus one must accept its terms by agreeing to reformulate the union.
But the reality is that, if even the terms of the March 11 offer were submitted to the players for a vote today, at least 50 percent of the players plus one would vote for it."

[The Popcorn]

Let's just get this football season rolling.

[X-Era]

Can you have a collective bargaining agreement without a labor organization and approval from a vote from the membership?Breer seems to say yes:

For the NFLPA to reconstitute itself as a union, a vote of all 1900 players would be necessary. For a settlement, that's not necessarily the case. Possible procedure: 32 player reps vote to recommend settlement to the class, passing it to 10 named plaintiffs for approval. And since the 32 player reps will be in DC on Wednesday, it's easy to deduce that the settlement could be voted on there.

This is from his twitter acct.

[Extremebillsfan247]

Remaining, very complex, issues could push the negotiation process back into the late end of next week. Just a heads up. Here is why that could happen_ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d820d5935/article/complex-issues-remain-as-league-players-zero-in-on-labor-deal?campaign=Twitter_news

[X-Era]

Remaining, very complex, issues could push the negotiation process back into the late end of next week. Just a heads up. Here is why_ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d820d5935/article/complex-issues-remain-as-league-players-zero-in-on-labor-deal?campaign=Twitter_newsSaw that too. It's possible but LaCanfora (who I cant stand) has been a consistent pessimists throughout.

I think were looking at a CBA being ratified on Thur.

[X-Era]

Mort:

As for $320 million in unpaid benefits in 2010 uncapped yr, doesn' look like deal breaker - players know they collectively bargained it

http://twitter.com/#!/mortreport/status/93072818438275072

[Extremebillsfan247]

Saw that too. It's possible but LaCanfora (who I cant stand) has been a consistent pessimists throughout.

I think were looking at a CBA being ratified on Thur.

Yeah, this is what has made this whole process more frustrating in my opinion. Everyone seems to tell you something different all under the scheme of the same subject. All are supposedly, and for the most part credible. So, in that respect it's tough to guage who is spilling out the right information, and who isn't. I guess we will all know for sure on Thursday.

Many of those I follow on Twitter seem to have this notion that Thursday is when things start to have a lot more clarity in respect to the ending of the lockout. LaCanfora seems to lean more on the cautionary side of it. This is one scenario where too much information could be considered overkill, and does more to distort facts than to clarify them.