Lovie Expects New CBA Agreement, 2011 Season To Happen
There is much uncertainty surrounding the 2011 NFL season. The current collective bargaining agreement between the owners and NFL Players Union set to expire in march.
And if both sides don't come to an agreement before then, we could be looking at portions, or all of the 2011 season to being canceled.
There are several issues that both sides are digging in on. The owners want to add an additional two games to the current 16-game schedule, but the players are vehemently opposed to that. The players cite safety concerns among their biggest objections against the proposed longer season.
A rookie salary cap, as well as revenue sharing are expected to also play important roles in the negotiations.
While not too long ago the outlook for the 2011 season looked bleak, things are starting to take a turn for the better.
"If you just look at our game right now and the amount of interest it has," Chicago Bears' head coach Lovie Smith said. "I mean, we have a great product. I think all of us would say that 'where would we be without football?' So it's hard for me to see us not having ball. I just assume eventually everyone will get together and we'll get a deal done and keep football."
And according to Pro Football Talk, union executive director DeMaurice Smith is set to meet with the league in the next few days, a sign that both sides are willing to try and work something out before the March deadline.
