Twenty-four hours after the NFL "issued an ultimatum to the four active players targeted" by its PED probe, NFLPA officials "spent the day regrouping, holding calls and figuring out how those players ... want to move forward," according to sources cited by Tom Pelissero of USA TODAY. The "imminent danger of lost paychecks and games will put each player in a position where he must decide what’s in his best interest -- even if that may not match up to the union's interests or the interests of players as a whole" (USA TODAY, 8/17). Pelissero reports some, if not all, of the players "have no problem doing the interviews and only were holding out at the union's request" (USA TODAY, 8/17).
FIGHTING BACK: In Pittsburgh, Mark Kaboly notes Steelers LB James Harrison "doesn't want to give in to what he perceives as bullying by the league." Harrison said that he will "continue to follow the advice of the NFLPA's lawyers." Harrison: "I am doing what I am advised to do" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 8/17). A source said the issue has not been resolved because "it's the union." Steelers G and NFLPA rep Ramon Foster said, "The NFL isn't the one who even did this investigation, so why are they asking about someone else's investigation? It's a use of power" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 8/17). PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio wrote of the four players facing suspension -- including Packers LBs Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers and free agent DE Mike Neal -- Harrison "presumably would be the most likely to fight" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 8/16). ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser said, “This is not something you go to the barricades for. Once they cleared Peyton Manning it became obvious to me they're going to clear everybody. There’s nothing there." ESPN’s Michael Wilbon: “If I'm in the league, I have to remind people in the league, this is not a democracy" (“PTI,” ESPN, 8/16).
BACK AND FORTH: An NFL agent source said, "This [hissing] match between the union and the league is at such a ridiculous point that I think the union sees this as an opportunity to be a thorn in the side of the NFL" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 8/17). In N.Y., Gary Myers writes if the Bountygate scandal "didn't blow up on the league with suspensions ultimately getting overturned and if Deflategate was not such a farce, then perhaps the four remaining players in Al-Jazeera Americagate would have cooperated a long time ago." There is a "serious lack of trust by so many players for the people who run the NFL." Myers: "The players are correct trying to protect their rights" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/17). In Pittsburgh, Paul Zeise writes the NFLPA would be "far better off advising guys like Harrison to cooperate." The NFLPA gave NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell the "power that he has" and he has "abused it in many ways." Zeise: "But now is not the time to make this stand as the NFL holds all the cards and the stakes are too high" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 8/17). Also in Pittsburgh, Gene Collier writes all Harrison has to do to "release some of the pressure is answer a few questions." The NFLPA "should advise that he do so, and he's already indicated that he might, because he does not want to hurt the Steelers" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 8/17).
THE REAL FIGHT: ESPN’s Dan Le Batard said, "This is the NFL exerting a power it feels like it shouldn’t and doesn’t deserve to have anymore” (“Highly Questionable,” ESPN, 8/16). ESPN’s J.A. Adande said, “Now we see why the NFL was fighting so hard for Deflategate. It wasn’t about underinflated footballs, it was about establishing their right and Roger Goodell’s authority to punish on circumstantial evidence ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 8/16). Colorado Springs Gazette columnist Woody Paige said, "This is not a PED issue anymore, it’s now a violation of the players being not allowed to shut up.” The Washington Post's Kevin Blackistone said, “I wish that this would compel ... the brethren of these four guys to stand up to Roger Goodell and say, ‘Hell no, we will go if you make them come into your office’” (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 8/16). ESPN's Scott Van Pelt said the "easiest thing to do is meet with the league." Van Pelt: "If you didn't do anything wrong you've nothing to hide. ... I side with the players here. No arrests, no failed tests but they're still going to lose because the commissioner doesn't blink and doesn't lose these staring contests anymore" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 8/17).
COLD AS ICE: CSNBAYAREA.com's Ray Ratto noted now "comes another case in which the players have no recourse but to submit to a system that clearly has never had its best interests at heart because the union, as most sports unions do, fought over money rather than player rights" (CSNBAYAREA.com, 8/16). ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert wrote the players might have finally reached the moment when they are "subject to discipline whenever they don't do what the NFL asks of them." Seifert: "If you thought the relationship between the two sides was icy and too litigious already, wait until you see what's next" (ESPN.com, 8/15). In Pittsburgh, Rob Rossi writes Goodell "cannot be trusted." Whatever he has "done right for the NFL's business, for him, the end always justifies the means." Rossi: "Who cares about proof or evidence or independent investigations or 'innocent until proven guilty?' And, oh, did I mention proof?" Goodell should "not be trusted, yet he cannot be touched." The players "did this to themselves" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 8/17).
CONDUCT DETRIMENTAL: FOXSPORTS.com's Dieter Kurtenbach wrote the line is wherever Goodell "says it is." The players "brought about" and wanted "this era." Kurtenbach: "How long is it until Goodell deems that 'conduct detrimental' includes speaking out against the NFL, or the commissioner himself?" This is a "new era of the NFL," and Goodell "can do whatever he wants in it" (FOXSPORTS.com, 8/16). Fox Sports’ Jason Whitlock said of Goodell, “He reflects the culture of his ownership, the people that he answers to. When you talk about old money, conservative, law and order, authoritarian, football, It’s top down management, it’s militaristic. He reflects that culture." Whitlock added, “When it comes to PEDs, he’s doing what is in the best interest of the players.” Fox Sports’ John Lynch said of the relationship between the NFL and NFLPA, “In the NFL when you go to these union meetings, guys just want their checks and they want to go home, it's just the way it is." He added, "They know guys aren’t going to strike if they’re going to miss a year when their average is only 2.6” (“Speak for Yourself,” FS1, 8/16).
