papazoid

not one single player or union leader has uttered on or off the record they want BINDING MEDIATION.....you keep ignoring this FACT. your assertion the NFLPA or current trade association wants binding mediation is FALSE. the court can not FORCE an agreement. once an agreement is reached a court can "enforce" it, like any other contract between two parties. both the owners and players would want a court to "enforce" a contract. neither party would want a court to decide the parameters of an agreement.

there is no link.....because the players have NEVER asked for "binding" mediation.

#1- the key word is NON- BINDING....."mediation" is NON-BINDING. #2- the players have NEVER asked for "binding" mediation. #3- there is no such thing as "more" binding.....your either pregnant or your not. it's either binding or non-binding....there is no middle ground. #4- i agree, all the more, parties must now act in good faith, or future rulings may not go their way. #5- let's say the court in two weeks, declares the leagues "lockout" illegal......both sides still have to negotiate a settlement. #6- lets say the NLRB rules the unions decertification is a sham......both side still have to negotiate a settlement.

The average career length of an NFL player is just 3.4 years because of the physical toll on their bodies. Almost two-thirds of NFL players suffered injuries during the 2010 season, a significant jump from the previous eight years, according to the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). The report also shows the severity of injuries increased in 2010, with 16 percent of all injuries requiring placement on the injured reserve list, which means the player cannot play for the rest of the season. We’re talking about more than 350 players going on injured reserve during the course of the regular season http://blog.aflcio.org/2011/02/01/nfl-players-injuries-reach-new-highs-in-2010/ how many players get cut due to injuries?.....can't seem to find a new team and fade away.

link ?

lol.....so you have no source.......stop using the word BINDING.....the players are NOT going to give up their collective bargaining rights by submitting to BINDING mediation. they are looking for the most advantagious venue to discuss the issues. that is thru the anti-trust Tom Brady et al litigation in a minnesota court thru NON-binding mediation....just like last time, those negotiations led to a settlement. there is no agreement ENFORCED by the courts....Nelson's involvement won't be binding, but she would have more ability to control talks than Cohen could, while overseeing an appointed mediator. First, with Nelson overseeing the talks, only she and Boylan could declare an impasse. Second, as the sides agreed on individual issues, she or the appointed mediator could move each one off the table, making for a more efficient process, without allowing one side or the other to go back on something that was already agreed upon. In any case, if mediation fails and Nelson rules, no matter which way that ruling goes, an appeal would be a near certainty, taking this case to the eighth circuit.

show me one quote from a NAMED member of the NFLPA showing they want BINDING mediation....you can't. "more binding" from a pundit does not equal BINDING MEDIATION......stop making stuff up.

#1- the players never asked for BINDING mediation. (your first statement is FALSE) #2- the players wanted mediation in a minnesota court and NOT with George Cohen (even tho he had a 17 day head start). the players got BOTH their wishes. (thats a victory for the players). #3- the judge said she still is considering whether to grant the players' request to lift the lockout that's been in place for a month. Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/04/11/mediation.ap/index.html#ixzz1JGsbtDV6

players score another victory..... U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson said formal mediation will begin Thursday before Chief Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan at his office in a Minneapolis courthouse...... ( not Cohen in D.C.). http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6330778

just saw a QB accuracy skills competition yesterday with moving targets at 20, 30 & 40 yards...Mallet won.... has a rocket for an arm......he's not gonna be there at #34.

Judge Nelson will order the league, players to return to mediation On Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that Judge Nelson told the two sides that she will impose mediation on them “early this week.” http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/10/judge-nelson-will-order-the-league-players-to-return-to-mediation/

just saw on TV a QB accuracy competition.....Mallet won it......locker second, dalton third.....only caught the tail end , don't know who else was in it....but mallet has a rocket for an arm.

i would only buy a name of a player who is already on the Wall of Fame......otherwise you'll be buying a jersey often.

there are just too many shades of blue......the blue on the flag is called "old glory blue"...the closest Pantone Matching System (PMS)color is #281C Blue. royal blue is PMS #286....dark navy is PMS #289U, midnight navy is pms #548U Buffalo Bills (1970 through present) Franchise Colors 2002 through present: Midnight Navy, Red, Royal Blue, Nickel, White 1980 through 2001: Royal Blue, Scarlet Red, White 1976 through 1979: Royal Blue, Scarlet Red, White 1970 through 1975: Royal Blue, Scarlet Red, White Alternate Uniform Colors 2005 through present: Royal Blue, Scarlet Red, White (Classic Uniforms) Special Uniform Colors 1994: Royal Blue, Scarlet Red, White (NFL 75th Anniversary Uniform - 1965 Buffalo Bills) Commemorative Logo Colors 2009: Dark Navy, Red, Blue, Gold, White (50th Anniversary Logo) Commemorative Logo Colors 2 2009: Red, Blue, White (AFL 50th Anniversary Graphics - 1965 Buffalo Bills) Additional Logo Colors 2008 through present: Red, Dark Navy, Blue, White (Bills Toronto Series Logo)

BONUS....it's already 25% off...use promo code "DRAFT11"....valid 4/8 - 4/14

Boies makes compelling case for using Cohen as mediator: “There are substantial reasons to have these issues addressed in the context of a mediation conducted by the [Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service],” Boies writes. “As Your Honor probably knows, the NFL and NFLPA spent 17 days in FMCS-supervised mediation, during which time the Director of the FMCS (himself a Presidential appointee) and his principal deputy gained a thorough and detailed understanding of the many issues that must be resolved. Put simply, the FMCS has a 17-day head start over any other potential mediator. And given that time is of the essence, that is of great importance.” http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/08/boies-makes-compelling-case-for-using-cohen-as-mediator/

On Wednesday, Judge Susan Nelson made clear to the league and the players her desire that they resume negotiations toward a new contract. On Thursday, each side sent her a letter indicating a desire to comply with her wishes. The problem? Neither side wants to proceed on the terms that the other side has requested. The league (which doesn’t want a CBA to be supervised by Judge Nelson) wants to continue mediation with George Cohen, and the players (who believe that Cohen was too aligned with the owners) want to submit to mediation under the auspices of Judge Nelson, presumably by Judge Nelson appointing a mediator — and possibly by Judge Nelson mediating it herself. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/07/the-key-to-currying-favor-with-judge-nelson/

Buffalo = 50th largest metro area. Buffalo/Rochester/Toronto = 4th largest NFL Market Area. Toronto is good for the Buffalo Bills.

court adjourned.....ruling may take weeks: U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson, however, urged the two sides not to wait that long. "It seems to me both sides are at risk, and now is a good time to come back to the table," Nelson said, noting her willingness to facilitate the resumption of talks toward a new collective bargaining agreement that would put pro football back on track. http://sports.espn.g...tory?id=6301016

be careful what you wish for.....

Folk's like Kiper keep updating, so the people who actually PAY for this crap feel like they got their monies worth.

first reports from the antitrust hearing: Greg A. Bedard of the Boston Globe reports that the hearing took a break around 12:15 p.m. ET after starting at 10:30 a.m. this morning. Bedard has a few other interesting nuggets from the morning sessions. The most eye-opening: “Only 1 mention of irreparable harm and [Judge Susan] Nelson said it ‘appears players have strong case.”‘ http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/06/we-have-our-first-reports-from-the-antitrust-hearing/

UPDATED POWER RANKINGS NFL HEAD COACHES (APR 5th): 1. Bill Belichick, New England Patriots 2. Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers 3. Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles 4. Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers 5. Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/27641/power-rankings-top-10-nfl-head-coaches

you keep making the same lame arguement......"that the game on the field in toronto can't be contributing to the bills increased fan base from southern ontario". it's either utter nonsense or you have a complete lack of understanding of basic marketing. The Buffalo Bills say their annual excursions to Toronto are helping to grow their fan base from Southern Ontario (they have never said it is the only reason). Billboards, television ads, radio ads, newspapers ads, content on local TV sports segments, radio call-in talk shows and YES...the actual game experience are all contributing factors in more fans wanting to see the bills in toronto AND at the Ralph. The success is also measured in increases in canadian based sponsors of in stadium advertising at the Ralph. Can you provide any proof whatsoever that the bills regionalization marketing approach is hurting ?...no you can't. if a 44% increase in sales doesn't impress you, then you are determined to be miserable.