don't know if anyone is even still following football right now, but heres the latest info on this one:


Lack of bargaining agreement becoming a concern
February 22, 2006



INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A week away from the start of free agency and still with no collective bargaining agreement, NFL officials arrived at the scouting combine Wednesday unsure how to plan for the offseason.


NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw met for 3 1/2 hours with team owners in Indianapolis before giving them, general managers, coaches and players a discouraging message.

``There is no progress,'' he said in the hotel lobby. ``We told them our points, they understand our points, and it's just not there and I'm not so sure we'll get there. They think we are asking for too much and we think they're not offering enough.''

While owners at the meeting were unavailable for comment, the ramifications were already being felt by those arriving at the combine to evaluate more than 300 prospective rookies.

Usually, team officials arrive in Indianapolis concerned primarily with designating franchise tags and evaluating prospects on everything from speed to hand sizes to medical conditions.

But this year is different.

Even before the workouts kicked into high gear, team officials were trying to plot contingency plans for an offseason with labor strife.

When the competition meeting concluded Wednesday, Atlanta Falcons general manager Rich McKay walked briskly toward another meeting with his own staff to discuss their free agency options.

``We're preparing as though we're going down two different paths - one with an agreement and one without,'' McKay said. ``Our meetings tonight will really focus on there being no agreement.''

By Upshaw's account, that appears more likely.

Before meeting with the owners, Upshaw also met with a group of players' agents. He's scheduled to meet with another group of agents Friday. After that, he said he would update players on negotiations, and he also hopes to meet again with commissioner Paul Tagliabue this week.

But time is running out. The deadline for franchise designations must be made by Thursday afternoon, and free agents can begin signing with new teams March 3. Among the big names who could hit the open market are NFL MVP Shaun Alexander, two-time rushing champ Edgerrin James, San Diego quarterback Drew Brees and Baltimore running back Jamal Lewis.

Some agents have speculated the league could delay the start of free agency if a deal appeared imminent. Most team officials, however, appeared skeptical of a change.

``We've been given no indication of anything changing,'' Houston general manager Charley Casserly said.

Without a new deal, teams would be severely restricted by a salary cap that would only allow signing bonuses to be spread out over four years instead of seven. Players also could lose 401K and medical benefits.

Upshaw said that although no progress was made Wednesday, he did sense that owners were more eager to reach a quick agreement.

``As they say, the clock is ticking and at least they realize that,'' Upshaw said. ``Basically, though, we're at the same point.''

The uncertainty has forced teams to re-evaulate their offseason strategies.

``At the club level, to say it doesn't come up in your thinking while contracts are being negotiated wouldn't be right,'' Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said.

Both sides want to complete a deal to avoid future pitfalls.

``We don't have a cap problem,'' Casserly said. ``But, obviously, our activity in free agency would be significantly affected by whether there's a deal or not.''

AP NEWS