Hey football fans! We’re back with another addition of the Aerys Huddle. As last night’s moderator, I was anxious to hear what was on the minds of my fellow NFL writers.

And, as it turns out, there was quite a lot on our minds. We discussed the lockout (surprise, surprise), rookie impact, athletes and their Twitter accounts, and … wait for it … Brett Favre. Yeah, we went there.

As I’m sure you’re just as excited as we were last night, I won’t keep this party waiting any longer.

Welcome to the Huddle …

Question 1: On Monday, two stories were released about the NFL Lockout. One cited reports that the lockout would end July 21. Another was by an anonymous player who said the owners are just using the media to pressure players into a deal and that a deal is not even close. Which do you believe?

Amanda (Packers): Neither.

Brandyn (Eagles): Exactly what I was about to write, Amanda.

Melissa (Lions): Yeah, I agree. At this point. How can you believe either?

Brenda (Broncos): I’ve been oddly optimistic all along. Why? Perhaps my sanity is slipping, but I really believe a deal is imminent. Then again, I predicted this whole nonsense would be resolved July 6. What do I know?

Patty (Rams): There are only a handful of people who truly KNOW what the hell is going on in that room. Until one of them talks on the record, I’m not believing ANYTHING. Anonymous sources should STHU.

Melissa (Lions): That’s a good point too, Patty.

Melissa (Lions): And then, at the same time, you have to wonder …  is this blogger just publishing this to boost his readership? I would hope that would not happen. But worse things have happened. I’m always skeptical about “anonymous” sources.

Miranda: I tend to trust the opinion of the anonymous player rather than an executive who believes the lock out would end July 21. The executive is throwing something random out there just to see if he can stir the pot to get something done. And well …  executives using media to pressure the players to get something done is just more plausible considering it happens a lot!

Amanda (Packers): One, I think the player could use his “anonymous” letter to pressure the NFL. The same way the NFL uses the media to put pressure on the players.

Brandyn (Eagles): I don’t believe any reports that cite a specific date, because who the heck knows? If you can do a deal by this Sunday, why not do it today?

Kristine (Jets): I think there is a little bit of truth to both. I distrust the owners, but I am also skeptical about why this player said what he said and why he wants to be anonymous. And I also agree with what Melissa said about the blogger.

Brenda (Broncos): As for which side is right, it’s tough to say. As of this moment, I tend to think there’s a bit of truth and fallacy with both reports.

Brandyn (Eagles): It’s a mess, and no one knows. That’s the truth. Not the lawyers, not the players. And if the rookie wage scale is really still being discussed …

Brandyn (Eagles): Who knows when or how that discussing will end?

Kristine (Jets): I am really disgusted that both sides are still so insistent on pushing this or that when they should be focusing on getting a deal done.

Melissa (Lions): I’m just so curious to know WHAT progress has acutally been made.

Melissa (Lions): They keep saying there’s progress, but that’s also something I find hard to believe.

Amanda (Packers): Exactly. They keep throwing out little tidbits and unfortunately all of us crazed fans feed off every little chunk of news we get because we are so desperate to get football back. Really I have no clue what to think about the progress!

Kristine (Jets): Exactly.

Patty (Rams): I get upset that the media is being used as a pawn in this case.

Kristine (Jets): And honestly? The rookie wage scale? I thought that wasnt “THE” issue. I thought it was all about revenue sharing. Its crap.

Melissa (Lions): Well, yes. But the media feeds off it. I’m sure they don’t mind.

Miranda: That’s why I thought it was pot stirring … WHAT have they been talking about that makes them think July 21?

Amanda (Packers): Well that’s the media’s fault as well. They dwell on each little piece of info, regardless to whether or not it’s credible

Brandyn (Eagles): Re the player, I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if the owners are trying to use the media but I don’t know how the player would have specific knowledge. So I dismiss that report.

Brenda (Broncos): The last report of “progress” that I really believe came out about a month ago — with the released preliminary report of revenue sharing revisions.

Patty (Rams): But the rookie wage scale, just like everything else, is about the $$$ in the end.

Kristine (Jets): Yes.

Melissa (Lions): Exactly. It’s all about money in the end. Otherwise, we wouldn’t still be here.

Kristine (Jets): And I think that both sides made financial concessions on the sharing issue so now they are fighting over this so that one of them can say we have more money.

Brandyn (Eagles): I heard that ProFootball Talk is now saying a deal will be done on Sunday? Seriously?

Amanda (Packers): Which is stupid. I want football back and I want it now.

Brandyn (Eagles): I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Just wake me up when it’s over.

Patty (Rams): They’re both still trying to prove who’s bigger.

Melissa (Lions): I didn’t hear that,Brandyn. That’s ridiculous

Brandyn (Eagles): Yes, Amanda.

Kristine (Jets): What I dont understand is why they keep having these lawyer-only sessions.

Patty (Rams): Semantics.

Kristine (Jets): If you want to win a PR war, might not want to keep telling us that. At least pretend you are in there.

Melissa (Lions): To make it look like they’re hammering out a deal.

Amanda (Packers): They can talk the talk but until they walk the walk, I will focus my energy on the Twins.

Melissa (Lions): That’s exactly how I feel Amanda. I’m not hurtng too bad. I have baseball at least

Kristine (Jets): Semantics shemantics.

Brenda (Broncos): It doesn’t help that Judge Boylan is out of the country. He seems to stir the pot, so to speak.

Kristine (Jets): I know what you mean Patty but it still makes me angry.

Kristine (Jets): We cant talk to each other without him?

Miranda: Lawyers do make it look like something is being hammered. And it’s PR. Do you really want certain players and owners hammering it out together?

Patty (Rams): You should have seen the lockout ruling. They were literally back and forth over words: “any” “includes” “means.” It was insane.

Kristine (Jets): No, but the lawyers cant turn it into a done deal.

Brandyn (Eagles): Yep. Lawyers are … special.

Brandyn (Eagles): Exactly right, Kristine. They can only do so much

Kristine (Jets): In my experiences with contracts and such, you talk about things, agree and then you sign on the line.

Patty (Rams): Never thought I’d want Tagliabue and Upshaw back together. This deal would have be done a long time ago.

Kristine (Jets): You dont draw up a contract and then argue about what you like or dont like, change it, argue some more and then sign. Not a good use of time. In MY opinion. What do I know?

Brenda (Broncos): I’d like to see more Goodell and Smith and less “legal teams representing both sides.” It’s ultimately up to the heads of the NFL and NFLPA to get this done.

Melissa (Lions): Amen, Brenda. I agree 100 percent

Amanda (Packers): I agree Patty! None of this nonsense. The guessing game would have been eliminated.

Kristine (Jets): I could not agree with you more Patty.

Patty (Rams): I think Goodell and Smith were a part of the problem.

Kristine (Jets): Yep.

Brandyn (Eagles): I’m with you, Brenda.

Kristine (Jets): I think we all just got a little heated!

 

Melissa (Lions): Yeah, I think so too. It’s easy to do with this mess.

Patty (Rams): Hot mess.

Stay tuned for part two and three of the Huddle!