NFL to Investigate Early Contracts

kidhawk · Mar 9, 2015

[tweet]https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/574954022853087232[/tweet]

Curious to see if anything actually comes of this. It's been well known for years that teams and players come to agreements then sign those deals "magically" one minute into free agency, but the league hasn't done anything because even though it was known, it wasn't quite as flagrant as this year. I doubt more than warnings come out of this, but I'll definitely be interested to see how it turns out

Popeyejones · Mar 9, 2015

So the NFL will continue to aggressively police the things that nobody cares about and completely turn a blind eye to the things that people do care about?

Sounds about right.

drdiags · Mar 9, 2015

I think the big issue is that having the 3-day window where agents can "officially" feel out teams parameters, the NFL probably feels they are losing the ability to market the opening of the FA period with these pre-mature reports of signed deals. They probably will try to get agents to either limit the info about deals or have to punish teams for making offers.

They will need to tweak their system or take some draft picks. How do they expect to keep secret this kind of info and why give teams 3 days if they didn't want teams to get aggressive for a player's service?

dontbelikethat · Mar 9, 2015

Via Albert Breer of NFL Media, here’s the verbatim e-mail sent to teams today, scolding them for all the leaked deals (which can’t really be deals since there can’t even be offers).

“Clubs were advised of the rules for the three-day negotiating period in PP-23-15 (attached). These rules include limitations such as that a club cannot make an “offer;” or enter into a written or oral agreement of any kind, express or implied, or make promises or representations of any type concerning the terms or conditions of employment to be offered to any Unrestricted Free Agent for inclusion in a Player Contract after the start of the new League Year; or provide assurances of intent as to the future execution of an NFL Player Contract. Clubs were further advised that “Any attempt to undermine the purpose of this negotiating period may be considered conduct detrimental to the League.” At this time, the League office is beginning investigations into a number of reported agreements with clubs. Violations will be dealt with accordingly.”

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... -teams-do/

Let's be real here, what did they expect was goona happen?

HawkFan72 · Mar 9, 2015

Eagles and Dolphins in big trouble if something comes of this. Those two seem to have been the most aggressive in getting deals actually done during this negotiation window.

Popeyejones · Mar 9, 2015

^^^^ Yeah. What makes the reporting on them different from all the other things we know that are (very likely) going to happen on Tuesday is that the reporting has dollar amounts attached to it.

I'm guessing that's what the NFL is twisted up about.

They know exactly what's going on and would prefer to just turn a blind eye to it, but when exact dollar amounts are getting leaked it's much harder for the league to play stupid about what S.O.P. is.

titan3131 · Mar 9, 2015

Hey on the bright side...

at least the hawks wont get popped for this.

MizzouHawkGal · Mar 9, 2015

They should just stop the farce and ditch the three day "legal tampering" window all together and just start free agency then.

HawkAroundTheClock · Mar 9, 2015

Popeyejones":5mg02m5v said:
...the reporting has dollar amounts attached to it.

I'm guessing that's what the NFL is twisted up about.

It's interesting that the Suh and Maxwell deals got the $ details reported – the 2 expected to land the largest contracts. Almost as if it was a calculated move to set the market ceiling?

I don't understand the behind-the-scenes dealings enough to know who would benefit. Agents helping each other out? The league helping teams? It seems there must be reasons to disclose terms early. GMs scaring away other suitors? Anyone feel like they have a handle on this?

onanygivensunday · Mar 9, 2015

Much ado about nothing.

Sports Hernia · Mar 9, 2015

Popeyejones":2j5bm4sg said:
So the NFL will continue to aggressively police the things that nobody cares about and completely turn a blind eye to the things that people do care about?

Sounds about right.

Must be a full moon, In 100% agreement for once! :th2thumbs:

NFL to Investigate Early Contracts

kidhawk

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