Albert Breer: Robert Krafts thoughts.

[Plumfool]

Transcribing Kraft. Some interesting nuggets in there, if you really listen and can translate.

Kraft: "the fact that principles – who are gonna be sitting down across from one another 5 years, 10 years from now – are sitting ..."

(Kraft cont): "... down and talking about the problems is a positive thing." That relates to trust, that sides in room are in for long haul.


Kraft: "I think we’re getting close to having to put this thing to bed, so we don’t miss any events. I know that’s the intent on both sides"

... And that one relates to internal deadlines to preserve the preseason in its normal state, which I've been told fall around July 15.


Also from Kraft ... Said that he thought De Smith has best interests of game in mind. Speaks to trust being rebuilt. Wasn't always that way.


Kraft: "The head of the union & players he has there, & the owners & the commissioner, we all care about the health of this game long-term."

... OK, so the NFLPA will NOT like that Kraft called him "head of the union", but you get the point, semantics aside.

 

[Plumfool]

More

Kraft on how FA would work: "There are people discussing this. ... That’s something I’m gonna let the league office speak about.


FYI: Kraft has been a consistent presence at labor stuff. He, Jones, Mara and Rooney right behind Richardson as most commonly seen.

 

[Bullflop]

Well, Kraft's statements sound encouraging. I just hope both sides are equally determined to "put this thing to bed." It'd be a relief to see them agree and finally resolve their differences. His comment about not missing any events (I take that to mean TC, preseason games and the regular season games) sound similarly positive also. Now, if they'll just get with the program and make it happen . . .

 

[Rynie]

Well, Kraft's statements sound encouraging. I just hope both sides are equally determined to "put this thing to bed." It'd be a relief to see them agree and finally resolve their differences. His comment about not missing any events (I take that to mean TC, preseason games and the regular season games) sound similarly positive also. Now, if they'll just get with the program and make it happen . . .

Good response. Imagine how they'll both look (in the eyes of the public), if they have to miss the 9/11 games. I hope this thing gets put to rest SOON, because it's honestly affecting my mood at this point.

 

[Plumfool]

More info from breer

Anyway, most significant thing to me from Kraft -- easily -- was what he said about De Smith having long-term interests of NFL in mind. ...

 

[CoCo]

Well, Kraft's statements sound encouraging. I just hope both sides are equally determined to "put this thing to bed." It'd be a relief to see them agree and finally resolve their differences. His comment about not missing any events (I take that to mean TC, preseason games and the regular season games) sound similarly positive also. Now, if they'll just get with the program and make it happen . . .

No one has committed to getting a deal done obviously. What they've committed to is actually trying now. The window is quickly closing on "a season with no financial damages" which is something they both desire, so they're working together.

This is the same model Jerry uses with his draft picks. He doesn't bother negotiating until a few days before camp when both sides have something to lose. He creates urgency that's otherwise missing. There was no urgency on the NFL talks the past few months. Now there is. Hopefully that breaks the logjam.

If talks breakdown now it could get REALLY ugly.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Get 'er done!!!