WASHINGTON — The NFL and its players’ union acknowledged Thursday they have not held a large-group negotiating session since November, and there are no formal meetings scheduled to work toward a new collective bargaining agreement.
Thursday marked seven weeks until the current CBA is set to expire, and while the private talks are seemingly stagnant, the public rhetoric is not.
“The negotiations are not proceeding very vigorously. No one’s booking dates right now,” said Bob Batterman, the league’s labor counsel who represented the NHL when it lost its 2004-05 season to a lockout. “You need a serious negotiating partner to have a negotiation.”
Batterman said the union’s “strategy is not to expedite this but to slow it down, so that they can file an antitrust lawsuit.”
In response, the union and its general counsel, Richard Berthelsen, said: “Any suggestion that we want a lockout is coming from outer space.”
The current CBA went into effect for the 2006 season, but the owners exercised an opt- out clause in 2008 — ending the deal after this season — because, they said, they can’t afford the current system. The players have offered to continue under the present agreement, saying the league is healthy, thanks to billions of dollars in TV deals, solid attendance and profitable marketing partnerships.
Batterman said if the league doesn’t get an 18-game regular- season schedule, its alternative is to stay at 16 games and cut two preseason contests.
“That, of course, costs them a couple hundred million dollars. Their paychecks go down if that is what we are forced to do. That we can do on our own,” Batterman said.
Going to 18 games, he said, would generate an additional $500 million, to be shared by the two sides.
Raiders remain headless
ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Raiders have the only head coaching vacancy left in the NFL.
With Denver’s hiring of John Fox, six of the seven head coaching vacancies have been filled this offseason. Earlier Thursday, the Browns hired Pat Shurmur as coach.
The Raiders are looking for a replacement for Tom Cable, who was fired after going 17-27 in two-plus seasons.
“The interview process is ongoing,” senior executive John Herrera said.
Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is considered a favorite to get the head coaching job. He is under contract as an assistant for next season.
The contracts of many of the other assistants, including defensive coordinator John Marshall, expire Tuesday.
Jets’ Coleman injures knee
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Jets backup cornerback Drew Coleman, the team’s nickel back and a key special-teams player, injured a knee late in practice, and his status for Sunday’s playoff game against the Patriots is uncertain.
“Well, we’ll see,” coach Rex Ryan said. “We don’t know anything right now. He was just doing a drill and kind of went on the ground or something.”
If Coleman can’t play, rookie Kyle Wilson likely would be the main replacement at nickel back.
Wide receiver-kick returner Brad Smith (groin) was limited, and his status also is uncertain.
Tatupu return “favorable”
RENTON, Wash. — Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu missed his second consecutive practice as he recovers from a concussion suffered during Saturday’s 41-36 wild-card victory over the Saints.
Tatupu must be cleared to be able to play in Sunday’s NFC playoff against Chicago.
Coach Pete Carroll said it was “favorable” that Tatupu would clear the league-mandated concussion testing and be able to play.
Denver Post wire services
