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View Full Version : How Court Rulings May Affect Free Agents: Offense



stillers4me
05-19-2011, 04:56 PM
I will gladly defer to Jeremy of the Lounge Legal Department to explain (http://www.steelerslounge.com/2011/05/lounge-legal-dept-latest-opinion-means-football/) what I contend was a flawed decision by the Eighth Circuit. Regardless, that decision likely greatly increased the chance of cornerback Ike Taylor re-signing with the Steelers and also bettered the odds of Pittsburgh playing in its fourth Super Bowl in seven years assuming there is a 2011 season.

It also greatly decreases the likelihood offensive tackle Willie Colon remains with the Steelers for 2011, and makes tight end Matt Spaeth 50-50 to return. Whereas the owners now appear to have the upper hand, court decisions have gone both ways which makes it more likely that fourth- and fifth-year players like Colon and Spaeth will become free agents this offseason.

While the labor strife has been and remains confusing and unpredictable, there were really only three likely scenarios as they pertain to potential free agents this off-season:

1. The lockout would be lifted by the courts system (a victory for the players) and football would resume under 2010 rules, since no CBA would be negotiated before the 2011 season begins. That would mean Taylor would be among a smaller, less-talented pool of veteran free agents, while the Steelers would retain the rights to Colon, Spaeth, cornerback William Gay and punter Daniel Sepulveda since those four would be restricted free agents as fourth- and fifth-year players. Moreover, there would be no salary cap for 2011 or the foreseeable future...............

Read more @ http://www.steelerslounge.com/2011/05/court-rulings-affect-steelers-free-agents-offense/