The War has Begun

According to the National Football League Player's Association (NFLPA)website the players have "filed the first collusion case ever against the NFL owners for their recent agreement to reduce by 20% the debt limitations that apply to individual NFL Clubs."

In other words, the amount of debt any individual club may now incur has been reduced by twenty percent.

Why does the player's union care? From the NFLPA's perspective this is all tied to the so-called "uncapped" year that is looming off in the distance (i.e. 2010): "[T]he agreement to reduce the debt limit is part of a broader scheme in which the owners are colluding to reduce spending on player salaries during what could be an Uncapped [sic] year."

Until now we've heard words from Gene Upshaw, and responses from Roger Goodell that could be perceived as dismissive.

Now we have lawyers.

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney will be in Indianapolis during the combine to host a "diversity dinner," and Gene Upshaw is expected to attend. Whether any discussions about the collective bargaining agreement remains to be seen, but here's hoping that Mr. Rooney can start something approximating a constructive dialogue.