NFL players weighed in on the labor negotiations Thursday night after the league and union "agreed to a 24-hour extension" of the CBA, according to Jim Corbett of USA TODAY. Texans OT and player rep Eric Winston said, "I don't think either side would do it just to get an extension. I'm hoping there was a good reason to do it and that other steps going forward warrant it." Saints FB Heath Evans: "The 24-hour extension shows me there must be something in the works. Both sides think there's good reason to keep talking" (USA TODAY, 3/4). 49ers OT Joe Staley said, "The extension is good to see. It's going to be real interesting to see what that means, if they get a longer extension or get a deal done. ... I'm pretty hopeful they'll get something done after this" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 3/4). Jets G Brandon Moore, one of his team's alternate player reps, said, "It's very encouraging. It was also encouraging when the NFL labor committee showed up a couple of days ago and got involved in the negotiations. Those are steps in the right direction" (ESPNNY.com, 3/3).
NOT SURE WHAT TO THINK: Despite the 24-hour extension, Redskins DE and player rep Vonnie Holliday still does not have "a lot of optimism." Holliday said, "I don't know how optimistic I can get given that we have not received any formal proposal or anything that we can discuss as a board in terms of a new CBA agreement." He wonders whether this extension "is a ruse or a path to an actual proposal." Holliday: "I don't know what we're going to accomplish in the next 24 hours that we couldn't get done in the past two years" (WASHINGTONEXAMINER.com, 3/3). More Holliday: "I really don’t see ... in the next 24 hours a deal actually being done. I know as a board that we have not received any type of proposal or anything we can discuss and take back to the players" (CSNWASHINGTON.com, 3/3). Panthers P Jason Baker, one of his team's alternate player reps, said, "I hesitate to read too much into it, because I don't know if it's a positive or a negative. It's probably best for everybody to step back and take a breath. I'm not jumping to conclusions either way" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 3/4). Jaguars QB David Garrard: "I don't understand extending it 24 hours if you're not close (to an agreement). What are you going to accomplish in 24 hours that you didn't accomplish in two or three months?" (JACKSONVILLE.com, 3/3). Free agent DE Justin Bannan said, "I'm not sure what to think. One minute I think we'll be locked out for a long time. The next another scenario comes up and I think maybe we can get something done" (DENVER POST, 3/4). Bengals K Mike Nugent: "One day you hear it was a real good discussion and the next you hear that they're not even close. It's good to know that they're still talking but it's also tough to know that the league might shut down for awhile" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 3/4).
