Reed Doughty Facebook page - The owners have decided not to continue players health insurance past march 4.

[c4man5282]

Just posted this on his FB page.

[authentic]

Wow, they're backing these players into a corner bigtime!

[Coach Janky Spanky]

This is unfortunate, but not surprising.

The owners' best hopes of winning this battle is the fact that many of the players cannot afford to not get a salary and benefits for a year. For as many millionaires out there as there are, there are many guys who are barely off the practice squad who cannot afford a lockout. These players may well put enough pressure on the union that eventually they start conceding to the owners.

[authentic]

This is unfortunate, but not surprising.

The owners' best hopes of winning this battle is the fact that many of the players cannot afford to not get a salary and benefits for a year. For as many millionaires out there as there are, there are many guys who are barely off the practice squad who cannot afford a lockout. These players may well put enough pressure on the union that eventually they start conceding to the owners.

Well its known that they don't get a paycheck during the offseason regardless. But then to take away health benefits will become very problematic for most of these guys. I'm sure the goal of the owners is to back the players so far into the corner, that the players begin to turn on the union to hurry and get something done.

[Brandon Lloyd Christmas]

Well its known that they don't get a paycheck during the offseason regardless. But then to take away health benefits will become very problematic for most of these guys. I'm sure the goal of the owners is to back the players so far into the corner, that the players begin to turn on the union to hurry and get something done.

yup. as crappy as that is, its the smart business move for the owners, and the players will definitely push harder to get something done with benefits being taken away.

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

This is unfortunate, but not surprising.

The owners' best hopes of winning this battle is the fact that many of the players cannot afford to not get a salary and benefits for a year. For as many millionaires out there as there are, there are many guys who are barely off the practice squad who cannot afford a lockout. These players may well put enough pressure on the union that eventually they start conceding to the owners.

It's not the lower-end players who are going to run into money problems. It's the guys with the multi-million dollar contracts. Does Antonio Cromartie strike you as a man with a rainy day fund? The first time one of his eight kids needs tubes in their ears, he is going to be screwed. And come October, when he is missing child support payments...it's on.

[Riggo#44]

Kind of a low-ball thing to do. But then again, the players have stooped lower, in my opinion, with threats to boycott the draft and scouting combine and suing over collusion last off-season...

This is why I really despise this kind of labor-unrest.

[GhostofSparta]

Yeah, a guy like Reed can't afford to not have a paycheck and health insurance with all the problems his kid has had so far. The owners are really squeezing the players union now.

[Popeman38]

Well, there is no CBA. In any business, if the CBA expires there is no obligation to fund a healthcare policy.

[Skins-Canes-Mounties]

Well, there is no CBA. In any business, if the CBA expires there is no obligation to fund a healthcare policy.

Exactly. The last deal said that insurance would continue until March 4. There isn't a new deal. True, the owners could advance some extended coverage as a showing of good faith, but the players decided to mount a smear campaign last year. If it has the money, the union could also obtain coverage for its members, but it doesn't look like it is planning to do so. In any event, the players and union should have seen this coming a mile away. Hell, discontinuing health coverage has been in the headlines for months.

If the millionaire players need health insurance, they should contact their local agents. This could be a while . . .

[Popeman38]

Exactly. The last deal said that insurance would continue until March 4. There isn't a new deal. True, the owners could advance some extended coverage as a showing of good faith, but the players decided to mount a smear campaign last year. If it has the money, the union could also obtain coverage for its members, but it doesn't look like it is planning to do so. In any event, the players and union should have seen this coming a mile away. Hell, discontinuing health coverage has been in the headlines for months.

If the millionaire players need health insurance, they should contact their local agents. This could be a while . . .

COBRA will be available to all players for 180 days, just live every other union member when a CBA expires. At the members expense, and for the high end NFL plan, we are probably talkin $2500-3500/month.

[TheismannQuote]

COBRA will be available to all players for 180 days, just live every other union member when a CBA expires. At the members expense, and for the high end NFL plan, we are probably talkin $2500-3500/month.

Yup Yup. Popeman knows his union insurance issues~

I'm shocked that Doughty posted this like it was new news. This is/was a big chip since the start of "negotiations".

[ConnSKINS26]

Sucks, but the owners are doing everything in their power to make the players feel it in their wallets before they (the owners) have to, so they bow to the owners' demands.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

I don't think it's a bad thing to do. However, maybe it should have been something the owners gave more notice about (if Doughty is correct that it's last-minute). I think the owners don't have any obligations to pay out a lot of money in health care when they don't have an agreement with the players.

[dockeryfan]

Not unexpected. Anyone who has been involved in labor disputes knew this was going to be used. In fact, the players should have been expecting this. Could be good PR for the players if they play this one right.