The NFLPA "wrapped up an important process last week" when the Dolphins, Buccaneers and Jaguars voted for their new union reps, and with all 32 player reps now "in place, campaigning season can begin" for the position of NFLPA Exec Dir, according to Ben Volin of the BOSTON GLOBE. The position "is up for election" in '15, with incumbent DeMaurice Smith "facing tough opposition" from former NFLer Sean Gilbert after running unopposed in '12. Smith "appears to have only one vote locked down" from Texans C Chris Meyers, "whose agent, Drew Rosenhaus, is one of Smith’s biggest allies." Gilbert "also has one vote locked down" from Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson, "whose agents (Neil Schwartz and Jon Feinsod) also represent Gilbert." But there "might still be a lot of swing votes at stake." The NFL's "largest agency, CAA, has six player reps, while several other big-name agents also have a say in the process." Those agents "represent many of the first-round picks who have lost millions of dollars under the new CBA." Gilbert hopes that they "are frustrated enough to affect change and vote Gilbert into office" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/16).
THURSDAY'S CHILD: PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio reported Gilbert wants to ensure that teams playing on Thursday nights "won’t be playing games only four days apart." Gilbert said, "We must recognize that the Thursday night package grows the game. However, I have had numerous players and agents express concern to me over the past few months about the health and safety of playing games on short rest. I will propose a solution to the problem by changing the scheduling of the season to make sure teams have a bye week before the Thursday night game. This will assure players have enough time to recover" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 11/14).
