On the day after Judge Susan Nelson granted an injunction
request to lift the NFL’s lockout, confusion and mixed messages
were commonplace around the league on Tuesday as players and teams
tried to figure out exactly what to do in the short term. A handful
of Jets players were allowed into the team’s offices but were
prevented from working out. Three Giants were permitted inside the
team’s building and given the option of training. Redskins general
manager Bruce Allen told two players they could be inside the
building but could not work out. Bills cornerback Leodis McKelvin
couldn’t get past the security gate and was told team officials
would contact him about how to proceed. Browns receiver Josh Cribbs
arrived in workout gear but couldn’t use team facilities. The
league issued a statement early Tuesday to clubs saying players
should be
”
treated with courtesy and respect if they show up.
”
But the league added it needs
”
a few days to sort this out
”
before football-related activities can take place.
On the day after Judge Susan Nelson granted an injunction request to lift the NFL’s lockout, confusion and mixed messages were commonplace around the league on Tuesday as players and teams tried to figure out exactly what to do in the short term.
A handful of Jets players were allowed into the team’s offices but were prevented from working out. Three Giants were permitted inside the team’s building and given the option of training.
Redskins general manager Bruce Allen told two players they could be inside the building but could not work out. Bills cornerback Leodis McKelvin couldn’t get past the security gate and was told team officials would contact him about how to proceed. Browns receiver Josh Cribbs arrived in workout gear but couldn’t use team facilities.
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The league issued a statement early Tuesday to clubs saying players should be “treated with courtesy and respect if they show up.” But the league added it needs “a few days to sort this out” before football-related activities can take place.
NFL attorney Jeff Pash said late Tuesday afternoon that the league’s request for an appeal of the injunction was placed on the docket of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The league is appealing Nelson’s injunction and believes it is on sound legal footing in its attempt to have the injunction stayed.
Nelson will begin reviewing the league’s request and thus allow the lockout to continue. The NFL also was ordered to respond by 6 p.m. Wednesday with a response to the players’ request to force the league to impose work rules to begin the league year. She also has asked that attorneys for the group of players that sought the injunction to submit a response to the league’s request for a stay.
“We remain confident in our legal position,” Pash said in a conference call on Tuesday afternoon. “We will certainly suggest that the review be expedited so that we can get the guidance from the appeals court at the earliest possible time. We also filed a motion last night with Judge Nelson asking that she stay the injunction that she entered pending review by the appeals court.”
The league is seeking clarification from Nelson about how to proceed. Club officials remain uncertain about whether they’re supposed to begin the league year, which would mean opening the free-agency signing and trading period. For now, the league is waiting until Nelson offers further instructions.
NFLPA attorney Mark Levin told players they should actively solicit free-agency offers if they are unsigned. But because the league hasn’t issued rules governing free agency, it is not considered feasible to sign players.
The league is also concerned that if Nelson orders the league year to begin, there could be a chaotic period if an appeal of the injunction is successful. If the owners’ appeal is granted, the lockout would be reinstituted.
“We’re trying to avoid a situation where you’re trying to unscramble an egg,” he said.
Attorney Jim Quinn argues, however, that Nelson’s decision to issue the injunction is tantamount to ordering the league to begin the new year and allow free agency to begin.
“The league should be putting the league year in place, allowing players to not only show up at different training facilities, but actually work out and train, get ready for the season to start,” Quinn said told ESPN on Tuesday.
— Story by Bob Glauber, Newsday
