NFL Capsules: Owners, players talk for 12 hours in NYC
NEW YORK (AP) — NFL owners and players' association leaders met for more than 12 hours Thursday, failing to reach a deal to end the league's months-long lockout but returning to try again in the morning.
"We still have a lot of work to do," NFLPA chief DeMaurice Smith said as he emerged from the Manhattan law office where talks went deep into the evening. "We spent all day working hard for a deal that is fair and in keeping with what the players deserve."
While Smith stressed the gaps in the deal, players involved in a lawsuit against the league had a conference call during which it became clear the two sides were close to agreement on the rules for free agency, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.
The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the labor talks are not being announced publicly, said even with the progress in the negotiations another long day of talks was expected Friday.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell led the league's group, which also included owners Robert Kraft of the Patriots, John Mara of the New York Giants and Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys. NFLPA president Kevin Mawae was among the players' representatives.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur J. Boylan, who has served as a mediator between the two sides, also was involved. He is scheduled to go on vacation Saturday, but talks are expected to continue in his absence.
Lawyers for both sides gathered on Tuesday and Wednesday to put together some of the paperwork that will be needed when a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement is struck.
Players and owners have been holding meetings around the country over the last six weeks, with pressure mounting to break the labor impasse. A major sticking point has been how to divide revenues for a $9 billion business that is easily the most popular professional sports league in America.
Some training camps are set to open in less than three weeks and the first exhibition game, at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, is Aug. 7. Hall of Fame president Steve Perry has said the plan now is that the game will go on as scheduled.
The Buffalo Bills still appear on track for holding training camp at St. John Fisher College in suburban Rochester. Todd Harrison, a faculty member who works with the Bills in overseeing camp, said school officials, in consultation with the Bills, "continue moving forward" with their plans.
The college issued an email invitation Thursday to training camp staff to attend an annual orientation session on July 18, but Harrison cautioned "not to read too much into that as a signal the Bills are coming." Harrison said organizers need to be proactive in training staff should a labor agreement be reached next week. The pressure on players and owners to reach a deal has been turned up another notch by the New York attorney general's office, which has launched an investigation into whether the lockout violates state antitrust laws. The players' lawsuit, filed in federal court in Minnesota, also is an antitrust case.
New York Assistant Attorney General Richard Schwartz said in a letter to Goodell this week that the lockout will "inflict significant economic injuries statewide." The New York Jets have canceled their planned training camp in the small upstate city of Cortland, he noted.
N.Y. attorney general investigating NFL lockout
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York's attorney general has started an antitrust investigation into the NFL lockout, requesting information from both the league and the players' association about the economic impact of pro football's labor impasse.
"While we are hopeful that the NFL and its players will reach an agreement to end the ongoing lockout in the near future, this office will take all appropriate steps to protect New Yorkers, many of whom rely on the significant economic activity generated by the NFL," Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Thursday.
Assistant Attorney General Richard Schwartz wrote this week to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, saying the lockout will "inflict significant economic injuries statewide," starting with losses of upstate training camps, and the AG's office is obliged to investigate whether it is lawful.
"In particular, we are deeply troubled by the possible antitrust implications of the NFL's conduct under the New York State Donnelly Act, as well as certain contractual violations it may have prompted," Schwartz wrote.
Besides revenue, employment and contract information, he also requested within 10 days all NFL documents since 2008 concerning: the question of whether to lock out players or suspend play; the actual lockout that began March 12; and, the decertification of the NFL Players Association as the players' union representative in contract talks.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league is examining the letter with its attorneys and will respond.
The fundamental antitrust issue is whether the 32 football teams acted as an illegal cartel since there's no place else for the players to go. Under New York law, the attorney general can seek triple any damages, estimated at millions of dollars to players and businesses in New York like hotels, restaurants and merchants.
Player representatives and team owners were meeting in New York on Thursday in hopes of resolving the lockout.
While the New York Jets and New York Giants play their games in New Jersey, their summer training camps are typically held upstate in Cortland and Albany, respectively, drawing thousands of fans. The Buffalo Bills' summer camp is in Rochester, their games in suburban Buffalo.
Schwartz noted that the Jets have already canceled their camp at the state college in Cortland. That alone generates an estimated $4.5 million in business activity yearly, according to the attorney general's office.
From the NFL Players Association, Schwartz requested the names of all team members living in New York. Players filed a federal antitrust suit against the league in Minneapolis soon after the lockout began.
-- Michael Virtanen
State News
Hearing canceled for Williams in ring debacle
DALLAS (AP) — Roy Williams' bid for the ring is apparently over. A court hearing scheduled for Friday has been canceled in connection with a lawsuit filed by the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver over an engagement ring he allegedly mailed to Brooke Daniels, a former Miss Texas, in February as part of a marriage proposal.
Williams sued Daniels to retrieve the ring, and a hearing was slated for Friday. But court administrator Tina Gurule says the hearing has been canceled and not rescheduled.
Gurule could not confirm if the ring, valued at $76,600, had been returned to Williams.
Michael Daniels told the Odessa American he was returning the ring. "I want to wash my hands of it," he told the paper. "It's just a hassle. I'll take care of my daughter. I don't need him."
Daniels operates a plumbing company in Tomball, a Houston suburb. A woman who answered the phone there on Thursday said Michael Daniels was not available for comment.
The player's attorney, Craig Gant, did not return a phone message left at his office.
Williams was born in Odessa in Ector County, about 350 miles west of Dallas. According to the lawsuit, filed in Ector County District Court on June 30, Brooke Daniels contacted Williams "shortly before Valentine's Day" and asked for $5,000 for school and dental bills.
Williams sent Daniels the money, a baseball for her brother in an overnight package. He also recorded a marriage proposal and included an engagement ring, the lawsuit said.
Daniels declined the proposal and refused to return the ring, the lawsuit said. Six weeks later, Daniels claimed that the ring was lost, and Williams asked his insurance company to investigate.
The insurance company learned that Daniels' father, Michael, had the ring. The lawsuit said Williams asked for the ring, but that the Daniels "have refused to surrender possession of it."
The lawsuit also included a request for temporary restraining order that would've prevented the Daniels from selling or destroying the ring. The purpose of the canceled hearing was to discuss the restraining order.
Williams signed a six-year, $45 million contract with the Cowboys in 2008. The former University of Texas star caught 37 passes for 530 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games last season.
Player Capsules
Lockout limbo: Minnesota's Weber works out, waits
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The NFL lockout has forced people from all corners of pro football into awkward, anxious situations this summer, with sports bar owners, season-ticket holders and team staff awaiting word of an agreement.
Undrafted free agents such as former Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber are among the most affected.
After an up-and-down four years starting every game of his college career for the Gophers, Weber has been busy keeping his mind, arm and body in shape for the chance to land a spot on an NFL roster this fall, assuming the lockout ends in time to keep the regular season intact.
During a normal year, Weber would at least have a team — and a playbook — by now.
"All the free agents are in a gigantic pool. It's going to be interesting to see where teams go, especially if the lockout doesn't get settled this week or next week," Weber said Thursday after a workout at his alma mater. "The closer you get to the season, I think, the less chance they're going to take on an unproven rookie free agent quarterback. We'll see. People ask me where I want to go. I do not care. Any city, any place. I do not care. I just want an opportunity."
Weber added: "Being a free agent, I'm not going to get many reps. Those are going to go to the guys that got drafted. I know that. I know it's going to be a struggle. But I'm trying to work as hard as I can so that when I do get an opportunity I can go out there and execute a play and give the coaches a reason to keep me on the team."
Drafted rookies, even in the late rounds, have the benefit of signing bonuses and stature. Plus, many of them were able to meet with their coaches and pick up a playbook in April while the lockout was temporarily lifted by a court order.
Not only will undrafted players like Weber have less time to prove their worth, they'll have less time to absorb a team's scheme and grasp the terminology.
"It's going to be really hard for everybody in Adam's situation," said Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Matt Spaeth, a friend of Weber's and a fellow former Gophers player. "They would've been practicing. They would've been meeting with coaches. They would've been figuring stuff out. The coaches would've been getting to know them and what they can do. With this lockout they're going to get an opportunity, but they're not going to get much of an opportunity. It's going to be training camp, and everything's going to be thrown at them. It's not an easy thing. You don't just pick it up and learn the offense and feel comfortable."
Weber has been learning as much as he can from pros such as Spaeth and Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald, a Minneapolis native who has been organizing offseason workouts in his hometown for the past few years.
"I believe he's got a lot of ability. I just hope that the lockout ends so he can find himself a good home, get acclimated to the offense and get the ball rolling," Fitzgerald said. "He's a good kid, and I really want to see him do well."
Weber does have the ability to adapt. In five seasons with the Gophers, including his redshirt year, coaching changes forced him to learn four different offensive systems.
"Regardless of how many times I've had to do it in college, I think doing it at the next level is going to be difficult," Weber said.
So he's trying to stay as ready as possible, poised to soon hustle off to some new place if a new collective bargaining agreement is reached and a team offers him a contract. Though he's enjoyed some down time, taking week-long vacations have been out of the question due to the uncertainty of the start of the new league year.
"For the past probably month and a half, I've heard it's about a week away. So with that mindset, it's been tough," Weber said. "I know I've had some nice time off, but I've also had time to get in shape. I feel like I'm ready to go, and I'm ready at a moment's notice."
-- Dave Campbell
Titans veteran QB Collins retires
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Quarterback Kerry Collins is retiring from the NFL after 16 seasons in the league, his agent announced Thursday.
"The past several months have brought on much introspection, and I have decided that while my desire to compete on Sundays is still and always will be there, my willingness to commit to the preparation necessary to play another season has waned to a level that I feel is no longer adequate to meet the demands of the position," Collins said in a statement.
Collins, 38, was facing free agency after his contract expired in March, though he said as recently as last month that he still wanted to play. Tennessee has said it plans to trade or release quarterback Vince Young after the NFL lockout ends, which would leave just this year's eighth-overall draft pick, Jake Locker, and Rusty Smith, a sixth-round pick in last year's draft, on the roster at the position.
Collins shared the stage with Young in his final season despite suffering injuries to his middle finger and thumb. Collins took over for good after Young suffered a season-ending injury to his right thumb on Nov. 21, though the Titans only won one of their final six games.
"Kerry had a great NFL career and we have been very fortunate to have had him with our organization for the last five years," Titans coach Mike Munchak said in a statement. "I really enjoyed working with him. He was a true pro, who loved the game. His work ethic and commitment were a great example to his teammates of what it took to be successful in this league."
In 195 career games, Collins maintained a 55.8 completion percentage and threw for 40,441 yards, 206 touchdowns and 195 interceptions.
He was the fifth overall pick by the Carolina Panthers in the 1995 NFL draft after playing at Penn State. He also played for the New Orleans Saints, New York Giants and Oakland Raiders.
As a starter, Collins lead his team to the playoffs four times, including an NFL Championship appearance during the 1996 season with the Panthers and a Super Bowl appearance with the Giants in the 2000 season.
In his statement, Collins said he was fortunate to have played for longtime Penn State coach Joe Paterno, the late Giants co-owner Wellington Mara, Raiders owner Al Davis and Titans owner Bud Adams.
"I would like to thank all of those coaches, players and other team personnel along the way who have shaped me both personally and professionally," Collins said. "I want to wish Mike Munchak and the Tennessee Titans the best of luck in the future. I have had a fantastic five years here, and my family and I look forward to remaining part of the Middle Tennessee community that has been extremely gracious towards us and an honor to play for."
Elsewhere
Colts Hall of Famer Mackey dies
BALTIMORE (AP) — John Mackey revolutionized the tight end position, his incomparable ability to catch passes off the line of scrimmage helping to usher the NFL into the pass-happy modern era.
After his retirement, Mackey remained on the forefront of change in professional football. He pushed for better health care and championed the cause of former players, even as he battled the dementia that ultimately forced him into an assisted-living facility.
The Hall of Famer for the Baltimore Colts died at age 69. Mackey's wife notified the team about her husband's death, Ravens spokesman Chad Steele said Thursday. No cause was given.
"John Mackey was one of the great leaders in NFL history, on and off the field," Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "He was a Hall of Fame player who redefined the tight end position. He was a courageous advocate for his fellow NFL players as head of the NFL Players Association. He worked closely with our office on many issues through the years, including serving as the first president of the NFL Youth Football Fund. He never stopped fighting the good fight."
Mackey played for the Colts from 1963-71, during a time when tight ends were viewed as additional offensive tackles. His breakaway speed, soft hands and bruising running made him difficult to cover, giving Johnny Unitas another top target in the passing game.
Together, they helped the Colts beat the Dallas Cowboys in the 1971 Super Bowl by connecting on a pass after it deflected off two other players for a 75-yard touchdown. Mackey also played for the San Diego Chargers in 1972, and finished his 10-year career with 331 catches for 5,236 yards and 38 TDs.
His efforts after his playing days were just as important as his performance on the field.
An NFL labor agreement ratified in 2006 includes the "88 Plan," named for Mackey's number. The plan provides up to $88,000 a year for nursing care or day care for former players with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, or $50,000 for home care.
"John Mackey is still our leader. As the president of the NFLPA, he led the fight for fairness with a brilliance and with ferocious drive," union executive director DeMaurice Smith said. "His passion continues to define our organization and inspire our players. His unwavering loyalty to our mission and his exemplary courage will never be forgotten."
Mackey has become closely associated with the plight of many former players who took to the field in an era before million-dollar contracts, safer equipment and better health care coverage.
He suffered from frontotemporal dementia that is believed to have been caused by the contact associated with playing football. The costs associated with his care, which far outpaced Mackey's pension, led the push toward better health care for former players.
The issue has gained prominence in recent months during negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. An NFL lockout has been going on since March.
"John Mackey has inspired me and will continue to inspire our players," Smith posted on his Twitter feed Thursday. "He will be missed but never forgotten."
Mackey was drafted in 1963 out of Syracuse — twice, actually. He was selected by the NFL's Colts in the second round and the rival AFL's New York Jets in the fifth round.
He wound up playing for the Colts just as the passing game was taking on a major role in pro football. His size, speed and ability to catch the ball while also blocking in the running game made him the prototype for future generations of tight ends.
"John revolutionized the tight end position during his Hall of Fame career, and he laid the foundation on and off the field for modern NFL players," Ravens general manager and fellow Hall of Fame tight end Ozzie Newsome said.
Mackey caught 35 passes for 726 yards as a rookie in 1963, when he was selected to the first of five Pro Bowls. He also was voted first-team All-Pro by The Associated Press in 1966, '67 and '68.
"John set the standard by which tight ends are measured on the field, and he will be sorely missed not only by his family, but also by the entire Baltimore community," Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said in a statement.
After he retired, Mackey joined Mike Ditka as the first tight ends selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The John Mackey Award was established to honor the nation's top college tight end.
Mackey made several trips to the Carrier Dome for Orange home games over the years, but those appearances became less frequent as his condition worsened. One of his last visits was on Sept. 15, 2007, when Syracuse retired his No. 88 jersey in a halftime ceremony against Illinois.
"John was the perfect role model for Syracuse football student-athletes," Syracuse coach and former NFL player Doug Marrone said. "He was a larger-than-life man and he influenced so many people. Many consider him the greatest tight end in NFL history and he was a pioneer in the development in the NFL Players Association."
