PFT: NFL cancels rookie symposium

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by Michael David Smith on May 24, 2011, 8:17 AM EDT

The NFL has canceled its plans to invite all 254 drafted players to the Pro Football Hall of Fame next month, as the rookie symposium has become a casualty of the lockout.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the symposium is thought to be the first event wiped off the league’s calendar by the labor situation.


Read the rest: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/24/nfl-cancels-rookie-symposium/

 

[DallasEast]

I would be interested in DeMaurice Smith's opinion of this cancellation. He didn't want rookies showing up for draft selection. Does he feel like this event was equally unworthy of rookies attending as well?

 

[YosemiteSam]

I would be interested in DeMaurice Smith's opinion of this cancellation. He didn't want rookies showing up for draft selection. Does he feel like this event was equally unworthy of rookies attending as well?

I don't think D Smith actually cares as it does nothing to make him looking better. The symposium only benefits the rookie players which he only cares about *IF* it is a side effect of making himself look better.

 

[Stash]

I would be interested in DeMaurice Smith's opinion of this cancellation. He didn't want rookies showing up for draft selection. Does he feel like this event was equally unworthy of rookies attending as well?

Honestly, I think he cares as little about rookies who are not yet in the Union as he does former players.

As in not at all.

This guy's only interested in the money. And he's only interested in 'winning' a 'fight' or emerginging 'victorious' in a 'war'.

He's a blatant liar who in his rush to try to shift blame to the owners makes up his own 'facts' about what's actually happening.

There are no 'angels' in this mess, but Smith is by far the biggest 'devil'.

 

[DallasEast]

I don't think D Smith actually cares as it does nothing to make him looking better. The symposium only benefits the rookie players which he only cares about *IF* it is a side effect of making himself look better.

That's the thing. Publicly stating that he did not want rookies attending their own draft did not make himself look good. He did it to promote solidarity between veterans and newcomers, thus projecting a 'unified front' for public relations reasons.

It didn't work. It was stupid of him to assume that it would work--asking incoming rookies to skip one of their lifelong held dreams, but he did anyway. Now, the Rookie Symposium is another milestone in these players' lives which they actually need to function in a highly fame-based and profitable environment like the National Football League. I'm just curious what he thinks of it being subtracted from his future members/clients' lives.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

I would be interested in DeMaurice Smith's opinion of this cancellation. He didn't want rookies showing up for draft selection. Does he feel like this event was equally unworthy of rookies attending as well?

Did D. Smith just cancel this event and prevent 254 players who were all just drafted into the NFL from sharing in this great experience?

Oh, you mean that was Roger Goodell? I thought he was best friends with all the draft picks the way he was hugging and high fiving everyone who got selected at the draft like his legacy depended on it. Seems odd he would then cancel this event for all those same guys..

 

[DallasEast]

Did D. Smith just cancel this event and prevent 254 players who were all just drafted into the NFL from sharing in this great experience?

Oh, you mean that was Roger Goodell? I thought he was best friends with all the draft picks the way he was hugging and high fiving everyone who got selected at the draft like his legacy depended on it. Seems odd he would then cancel this event for all those same guys..

Goodell

Goodell is the NFL commissioner. Thus, he follows the NFL calendar. The lockout prevents the rookie symposium from occurring. He himself did not cancel the symposium.

If he had that type of power, there wouldn't be a lockout. He would simply say *PRESTO!CHANGE-O!". No lockout.

Anyway. We have one event (e.g. the draft) which was both a part of the NFL calendar and inclusive of the last agreed upon collective bargaining agreement. Rookies attending the draft would have had zero effect on the conflict between the owners and the trade association. None. However, the uniquely personal and generally positive impact of the draft day experience is held fast by recognized draftees for their entire lives.

Even so, DeMaurice Smith called for the incoming players to boycott it. Fast forward to the present day. We have another event which is designed to have a uniquely personal and positive impact on players' entire professional careers. However, as stated earlier, it has been removed from the players' participation and their control.

It is the current actions of both the owners AND the NFLPA* which has made the symposium an exception this year. Mr. Smith heads the (whatever its called now). Likewise, he is also directly responsible for its cancellation. It would be interesting to me (and perhaps others) to be aware of Mr. Smith's view(s) of the cancellation. Maybe discover what, if any, relevance he places on its omission from the players (e.g. his future clients) career based itinerary. Perchance promote some rare positive public relations spin for his party. Mayhap invoke some public empathy for his guidance of both veteran and newly drafted players--unlike his stance on the draft itself.

Or simply do squat and blame all the bad thin-ges on the commissioner.

 

[burmafrd]

that is all roy knows how to do.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Goodell

Goodell is the NFL commissioner. Thus, he follows the NFL calendar. The lockout prevents the rookie symposium from occurring. He himself did not cancel the symposium.

If he had that type of power, there wouldn't be a lockout. He would simply say *PRESTO!CHANGE-O!". No lockout.

Anyway. We have one event (e.g. the draft) which was both a part of the NFL calendar and inclusive of the last agreed upon collective bargaining agreement. Rookies attending the draft would have had zero effect on the conflict between the owners and the trade association. None. However, the uniquely personal and generally positive impact of the draft day experience is held fast by recognized draftees for their entire lives.

Even so, DeMaurice Smith called for the incoming players to boycott it. Fast forward to the present day. We have another event which is designed to have a uniquely personal and positive impact on players' entire professional careers. However, as stated earlier, it has been removed from the players' participation and their control.

It is the current actions of both the owners AND the NFLPA* which has made the symposium an exception this year. Mr. Smith heads the (whatever its called now). Likewise, he is also directly responsible for its cancellation. It would be interesting to me (and perhaps others) to be aware of Mr. Smith's view(s) of the cancellation. Maybe discover what, if any, relevance he places on its omission from the players (e.g. his future clients) career based itinerary. Perchance promote some rare positive public relations spin for his party. Mayhap invoke some public empathy for his guidance of both veteran and newly drafted players--unlike his stance on the draft itself.

Or simply do squat and blame all the bad thin-ges on the commissioner.

:laugh2:

So its an NFL event, but the lockout and the fact that the draft picks now don't get to participate in this symposium is all D. Smith's fault now?

lol

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

This is awesome.

The NFL cancels the rookie symposium and people are speculating on Smith's involvement.

And I am the one labeled hater.

 

[big dog cowboy]

There are no 'angels' in this mess, but Smith is by far the biggest 'devil'.

 

[Stash]

This is awesome.

The NFL cancels the rookie symposium and people are speculating on Smith's involvement.

And I am the one labeled hater.

Who took it to litigation?

Smith did.

Who failed to even respond to the owners' March offer?

Smith did.

Who failed to respond to the owners' most recent offer?

Smith did.

Please show us all where Smith is negotiating in any way?

The only thing Smith is good for is untrue rhetoric designed to attempt to garner support for his agenda.

Oh, and failing at it. He's good for that too.

 

[jobberone]

I think this was the NFL cancelling the event. I don't think Smith had anything to do with it.

I'm on neither side. They are both to blame IMO.

This hurts the rookies.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Meh. No reason it can't be rescheduled once the league year commences. At any rate, I have my doubts regarding whether any really critical information is passed on at these symposiums. Suppose it's possible, but it seems just as likely to me that these are glorified orientation sessions. My experience has always been that I could have just as easily skipped any orientation session I was required to attend without much harm to either myself or the organization putting on the session.

 

[Stash]

Meh. No reason it can't be rescheduled once the league year commences. At any rate, I have my doubts regarding whether any really critical information is passed on at these symposiums. Suppose it's possible, but it seems just as likely to me that these are glorified orientation sessions. My experience has always been that I could have just as easily skipped any orientation session I was required to attend without much harm to either myself or the organization putting on the session.

It's an attempt by the league to give incoming players some information on the brave new world they're about to enter into.

Financial advice, avoiding traps and pitfalls, that sort of thing.

 

[YosemiteSam]

This is awesome.

The NFL cancels the rookie symposium and people are speculating on Smith's involvement.

And I am the one labeled hater.

You should be ban as a troll until this is over. Nobody said he was involved, DallasEast wondered what his opinion of it would be on this subject.

Though in a sense, he is involved. Everything can be traced back to his to his actions as head of the NFLPA. So, you lose again.

credibility--; AGAIN.

Wow, someone ban him. He isn't worthy to discuss these topics.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

You should be ban as a troll until this is over. Nobody said he was involved, DallasEast wondered what his opinion of it would be on this subject.

Though in a sense, he is involved. Everything can be traced back to his to his actions as head of the NFLPA. So, you lose again.

credibility--; AGAIN.

Wow, someone ban him. He isn't worthy to discuss these topics.

Ahh.. saying he's involved is fine. Saying its directly his fault and trying to pin most of the blame on him is sillyness.

The owners opted out of the deal. You can't fault the players for trying to get the best deal possible for their side. Its the same thing the owners are doing.

 

[Stash]

You should be ban as a troll until this is over. Nobody said he was involved, DallasEast wondered what his opinion of it would be on this subject.

Though in a sense, he is involved. Everything can be traced back to his to his actions as head of the NFLPA. So, you lose again.

credibility--; AGAIN.

Wow, someone ban him. He isn't worthy to discuss these topics.

Personally, speaking for myself. I sure think he's involved. As in the main reason why this whole thing is going absolutely nowhere. And among the 'casualties' of his personal vendetta is the rookie symposium.

This is the guy in charge of the side that won;t even respond to the last two offers received.

People can try to spin that fact away or stick their heads in the sand all they want, but it's Smith and the players who won't even respond to offers.

That tells me one side is willing to negotiate, the other just wants to litigate.

And in my opinion, I think a deal gets done after this clown is removed from the equation.

It may not be done officially or announced publicly, but I think he'll be phased out once enough players see where he's steering the ship.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

And among the 'casualties' of his personal vendetta is the rookie symposium.

Quoted for sillyness.

 

[Stash]

Quoted for sillyness.

Believe whatever you want.

Who's the guy who won't even respond to offers?

Yeah.

Him.

Who's the guy who can't open his mouth without the word 'fight' coming out?

Yeah.

Him.

Who's the guy who tries to draw sympathy by making false claims?

Yeah.

Him.

Keep yourself dizzy with spin, but I'm not going along for the ride.