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Leagues and Governing Bodies

NFL Lockout Watch, Day 48: Draft Takes A Back Seat To Ongoing Labor Issues

The NFL Draft begins tonight, and the event "feels like a sideshow to the bitter labor battle between the league's owners and players," according to Sam Farmer of the L.A. TIMES. It is "hard to ignore the cloud of uncertainty hovering over the marquee event of the off-season." However, yesterday none of the prospects invited to the draft "seemed overly concerned about the state of the labor fight." Former Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn said, "They're making progress now, so it's going to get done." Former Texas A&M LB Von Miller, who is a plaintiff of the Brady v NFL lawsuit against the league, added, "We appreciate the struggle that's going on with both sides. We understand that both sides are trying their hardest to get this thing done" (L.A. TIMES, 4/28). USA TODAY's Jim Corbett notes NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell yesterday "assured the 25 prospects invited to New York City for the NFL draft that football would be played this season." Former Baylor G Danny Watkins: "He said there's going to be football. Whenever that will be, I don't know. But I'm excited to get to work and get going" (USA TODAY, 4/28).

DRAFTEES IN LIMBO: In DC, Rick Maese notes as the lockout "continues indefinitely, this week's draft picks are stuck in a holding pattern of sorts." They are "allowed to talk with coaches until the draft concludes Saturday afternoon, but no one knows what lies beyond the weekend." Former Alabama WR Julio Jones: "They can't give us any playbooks or nothing. It's going to be hard for the quarterbacks and receivers coming in to it. We have to know the offense" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/28). Former Georgia WR A.J. Green added, "I can't learn any plays. I can't see the playbook, obviously. All I can do is stay in shape." A veteran free agent said, "If you're a rookie, good luck. You have no chance to be ready. None. Not even the running backs. Maybe if you're a cornerback, but even then it's going to be so hard to be ready" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/27). In Philadelphia, Rich Hofmann notes the drafted players "will be receiving a hearty handshake and maybe a trip to town for a press conference -- and that's it." Hofmann: "No playbook. No laptop loaded with video. … They will be a mile behind the veteran players" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 4/28). In Boston, Shalise Manza Young writes drafted players "face an uncertain future," as they will be "unable to report to the team they've been drafted by and start the tough task of learning a new playbook." Young: "But at least they know they have a home when labor peace arrives." Undrafted free agents "will fall into a limbo thanks to the labor saga that has engulfed the NFL the last couple of months" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/28).

DIMINISHED BUZZ: In N.Y., Bart Hubbuch writes under the header, "Draft Generating Little Buzz." The "anticipation factor remains all but negligible going into tonight's first round." Prospects "familiar to non-draftniks are few," and the "drama factor will be low, too." Additionally, teams "probably will not be able to trade players -- just picks – during the draft because of confusion stemming from the NFL's ongoing legal fight." Miller: "It's a weird draft, just because of all the uncertainty" (N.Y. POST, 4/28). ESPN's Michael Wilbon said interest in the Draft this year “seems forced.” Wilbon: “People are doing this because they feel they're supposed to, because the calendar says it's time to. … Fake enthusiasm." But ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser said the Draft “seems submerged like an iceberg to me.” Kornheiser: “There's the top of the iceberg, a few people see it, and then there's all the bad stuff underneath. … I think people will respond very well to this year's Draft because it will finally give them a tangible connection to their teams which they have been missing for months. I think they crave some football, and this is all they're going to get" ("PTI," ESPN, 4/27).

GOODELL SHOULD BEWARE OF BOO BIRDS: YAHOO SPORTS' Dan Wetzel wrote Goodell "has always looked the part of the NFL commissioner" and has been "mostly a fan favorite." But tonight, "when he opens the annual draft coverage, he'll likely get booed. Heartily." Wetzel: "Perhaps all 32 times he attempts to announce a draft pick. … As the face of the league, Goodell is paid to get in the line of fire and answer for the NFL's repeated stumbles. Thursday will be a high-profile bill coming due" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/27). In St. Louis, Bernie Miklasz writes the Draft "will offer a three-day break from the tedium of the dumbest labor dispute in the history of sports," but he wonders if Goodell will be "heckled by the boisterous group of fans who gather inside the Radio City Music Hall." Miklasz: "The owners and players have infuriated the public with a failure to make a deal on sharing $9 billion in annual revenue. This will be the fans' first chance to express themselves" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 4/28). In Jacksonville, Hays Carlyon wrote Goodell "had better be ready to get a vision response … when he announces the opening of the NFL Draft." It will be his "first public appearance in front of a large audience since the lockout began" (JACKSONVILLE.com, 4/25). In Florida, Bill Vilona writes, "Right or wrong, Goodell likely will bear the brunt as NFL commissioner ... for this current state of contention." Vilona: "Here's guessing Goodell isn't going to be happy to see Jets fans ... or Giants fans ... or many fans" (PENSACOLA NEWS-JOURNAL, 4/28).

TIME TO PAY THE PIPER: In K.C., Sam Mellinger writes the NFL "has been soundly defeated in the courtroom" by players whom Goodell has "lorded over with a suspension-wielding fist." Goodell "took a sport that continues to grow through a sluggish economy and terrifying discoveries of long-term health effects, and pushed the legal position to the point that a federal judge essentially ordered the league to back off." Goodell tonight "serves as something of an emcee of an awkward celebration in front of millions of fans who know exactly what's going on." Mellinger: "It's like he'd been punched in the face and now forced back to the party, serving hor d'oeuvres as if nothing happened" (K.C. STAR, 4/28).

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