Tretter said that there are both positives and negatives to the proposed CBAGETTY IMAGES
Browns C JC Tretter's "top goal" as the new NFLPA President is to educate all players on the details of the proposed CBA so they can "make an informed decision," according to Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com. Tretter said there are "positives and there are negatives" in the CBA. Wolfe noted in yesterday's election, many players "supported Tretter because of his diplomatic approach to the ongoing negotiations," as he "appeared to be more of a moderate" (ESPN.com, 3/10). In Cleveland, Mary Kay Cabot wrote Tretter is now "tasked with navigating the union through this turbulent time of a polarizing new" CBA. Armed with an industrial labor relations degree from Cornell, Tretter will "help guide NFL players through this pivotal time" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 3/10). ESPN’s Mike Golic Jr. said, "The running joke with NFL players is your degree looks great on your mantle while you’re making millions of dollars. He actually gets to use his!” (“Golic & Wingo,” ESPN Radio, 3/11). PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio cited a source as saying that during yesterday's NFLPA meetings some players wanted to "know the whereabouts of the men with big names and big platforms who have used social media to encourage other players to reject the proposed CBA," including Packers QB and Aaron Rodgers, Texans DE J.J. Watt and Seahawks QB Russell Wilson (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 3/10).
ELECTION DAY: In N.Y., Ken Belson noted team reps yesterday "shook up the ranks" of the 11-man exec committee, electing Falcons C Alex Mack as Treasurer, making him the "second-highest-ranking player in the union." The board also voted to add Jaguars DE Calais Campbell, Eagles S Malcolm Jenkins and Titans LB Wesley Woodyard. The trio replace Colts K Adam Vinatieri, Giants LS Zak DeOssie and Chargers OT Okung (N.Y. TIMES, 3/10). Other members elected to the exec committee were: Saints P Thomas Morstead, 49ers CB Richard Sherman, Giants S Michael Thomas, Patriots TE Ben Watson, Buccaneers LB Sam Acho and former NFLer Lorenzo Alexander (ESPN.com, 3/10).
LAWYER UP: THE ATHLETIC's Daniel Kaplan cited a source as saying that Okung has "hired sports lawyer Peter Ginsberg" for his unfair labor practices complaint against the NFLPA. Ginsberg could "potentially litigate against the NFLPA, and seek a stay against the union vote ongoing to accept or decline the proposed 11-year CBA" (THEATHLETIC.com, 3/10). In N.Y., Charles McDonald noted the NFLPA has "offered up a response" to Okung's complaint that the union tried to "rush players into a decision" on the new CBA. The NFLPA in a statement yesterday said, "We fully complied with our constitution" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/11).
