Yesterday’s rant from Mark Schlereth on NFL hypocrisy concerning the new shifts in violent contact punishment helped me finally realize one thing.

The owners are losing ground in labor negotiations.

Schlereth’s rant provided specific insight that can plug the rule changes into any one of these hotly contested CBA issues:

• Full Expansion of  The 88 Plan (Insurance for Retirees) –As the NFL rushes to defend the victims of defenseless hits, they have continued for years to neglect the same group through complicated and subversive health insurance coverage. While the NFL has worked with the NFLPA to begin the expansion of full health benefits, the plan still fails to cover all brain ailments that can be exacted by repeated encounters with a scraping linebacker. I think the recent changes to policy around contact may force the league to negotiate fully on player safety. Advantage: Players
• 18-Game Schedule–Cynics argue that if owners are so in tune with player safety and reducing the threat of injury, why march players out there for two extra games per year? I think those cynics would also happen to be player reps, but I digress. The reality of the 18 game schedule is that it exposes players to more contact and the possibility of violent contact. Its as confusing as expanding a highway from 4 to 8 lanes and subsequently lowering the speed limit. What do you expect to happen? Advantage: Players
• Salaries–It’s hard to devalue the service of players and maintain a hard line in salary pool negotiations after qualifying the sport as a dangerous occupation. The focus that this swift legislation has put on player risk is definitely going to reverberate at the bargaining table. If I am DeMaurice Smith, I am holding the league to its realization that these players place their livelihoods on the line to play this game and  should be compensated accordingly. Advantage: Players

With all this being said, I do think the league is 2 seasons away from an “Al Lucas’ situation. So I applaud the NFL for taking some action towards preventing a similar tragedy. However, I think disciplining players for being aggressive is no substitute for investing in the safety of the game. I look at what NASCAR did to insure the safety of drivers in the wake of the Earnhardt tragedy as the model on how to invest in safety. Swift changes to technology and equipment rather than scaring drivers into slowing down was the proper response to safety concerns. Lets hope the NFL can take a cue from a counterpart on this one.

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