Negotiating!

Name- Deshon Lawrence     Title- Graduate Assistant Clark Atlanta Football

Deshon Lawrence played college football as a Corner Back at Western Michigan University. 

 As a freshman in 2007 he redshirted. In the 2008 season he played 11 games, had his first career reception (8 yards), and played in the Texas Bowl. The first game of the 2009 season was against the University of Michigan in the "Big House". Lawrence got his first interception which gave the team a lot of momentum. (Michigan won the game in the end) He played all 12 games with 3 starts. 

In the Spring of 2010 trainers discovered a neck injury that ended his playing career. Hearing that news was devastating for him and everyone involved. Instead of giving up, Lawrence negotiated with himself and came to the conclusion that although he will not be able to play again, his passion for football was still there. He began helping the coaching staff for the 2010 season. Now he is the Graduate Assistant for the Clark Atlanta University Football Team. 

     

   How does negotiating help with Coaching at the college level?

        Even though the students and coaches are older and more experienced, they still want things to go their way. With the players, it gives them a sense of "ownership" over their body, and the plays. When people think things are their idea they tend to execute better. On the other hand with coaching, its do what I say!

What do you do when the negotiations seem to go bad?

      Ha! When negotiations seem to go bad, people start running. Seriously, I try to motivate my players and get them to realize, I only want what is best for them and the team. We all have to put our individual thoughts aside and think about the TEAM.

What is your favorite part of negotiations?

      My favorite part of negotiating is coming up with new ideas collectively. Since we are all on the same side, the same common goal, WINNING the game. It is a lot different coming from the player aspect to the coaching aspect. As a player my favorite part was ending the negotiating!! 

Any negotiation advice for rookie coaches or players?

      Do not be afraid to make suggestions, stand your ground, and be open and willing to listen. A great player listens to his coach and a great coach listens to his players. We all have to be able to work together.

  

       As a friend, the 2010 season was VERY difficult to sit through. Knowing how bad he wanted to be on the field killed me inside. I am very proud of him for deciding to go the coaching route and cannot wait to see everything he will accomplish!! GO BRONCOS!!! And now GO PANTHERS!!

What about us?

Aspiring athletes, free agents, and underrated athletes have had a rough time trying to enter the NFL. The lockout has made it difficult for them to participate in team workouts, tryouts and meetings. This has made it easier for Arena Football League (AFL), Untied Football League (UFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL), to gain more prospective athletes. There are more options, but these are the main 3 behind the NFL.

What are aspiring players supposed to do? Most of them have dreamed of being in the NFL since they were children. Two such athletes are Brandon Summers and Antoine Carr. Both have played basketball as well, but found their true talent to be in football.

Brandon Summers began playing football at the age of 5 and hasn’t stopped. As a freshman at Southfield High School, he played varsity football. As quarterback he took the team to the championship. He then played at the University of Toledo but due to coaching issues, he transferred to Youngstown State University. In the 2009 season at YSU he rushed for 66 yards and threw for 2329 yards. The 2009 season was one injury for Summers; thumb and concussion.

 

Antoine Carr played football and basketball at Pontiac Central High School. He then went on to play wide receiver for Northwood University. While at Northwood, Carr he played from 2005-2009. He best season was in 2008 with 5 touchdowns. That season was cut short due to a broken leg in the sixth week of the season. The 2009 season was touch due to that injury and not wanting to cause harm to it. He also broke his thumb in the 1^st game of the season.

Reading these stats, one might not believe these players are any good.  While stats don’t lie, I see potential in both of these guys. Maybe playing in the AFL, UFL or CFL would be a good start for them. They could really hone in on their skills and excel to be ready for the NFL.

There are plenty of players like Summers and Carr in this country, who are confused. They don’t realize that the NFL is not the only choice. More people need to understand their options and maximize on opportunities. I can guarantee if given the right opportunites, Brandon Summers and Antoine Carr will be successful!

 Sources- Youngstown State University, Northwood University

The Draft

As we all know April 28-30, was the 2011 NFL Draft. This was a very exciting yet controversial draft, due to the lockout (which was lifted right before the draft and put back in place right after the draft).  Contracts are NOT in place yet and the rookies do not know how much money they will be receiving.  All 32 NFL teams will be shelling out a lot of money when contracts are signed. WE WILL HAVE AN NFL SEASON.

In the 2010 draft the number one draft pick was by the St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB from Oklahoma. Before the 2010 season, he signed a 6-year, $78 million deal, with $50 million guaranteed. This contract has a maximum value of $86 million. Bradford signed the largest contract EVER for a rookie. He also has an endorsement with Axe.

The second pick in the 2010 draft was by the Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, Defense Tackle from Nebraska. Suh signed a $68 million contract with $40 million guaranteed for 5 years. He also has money coming from his endorsement deals with Nike and Chrysler.

Looking back at these numbers, one can only speculate what the number one and two draft picks will receive this year.

“With the number one pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select Cam Newton, QB Auburn.”  Cam Newton led the Auburn Tigers to a 14-0 season winning the BCS championship.  He is also the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner. Before the draft Newton signed a VERY nice contract with Under Armour (terms undisclosed). Will Cam sign a contract worth more than Sam Bradford? We will soon see.

Von Miller, linebacker from Texas A&M was selected by the Denver Broncos as the second overall draft pick. He has signed an endorsement deal with Adidas.  Will he make more then Suh? We will soon see.

Just in case you missed the draft here are the top 10 picks…..

1.     Cam Newton- Panthers

2.     Von Miller- Broncos

3.     Marcell Dareus- Bills

4.     A.J. Green- Bengals

5.     Patrick Peterson- Cardinals

6.     Julio Jones- Falcons

7.     Aldon Smith- 49ers

8.     Jake Locker- Titans

9.     Tyron Smith- Cowboys

10. Blaine Gabbert- Jaguars
The rest of the draft can be found at http://www.nfl.com/draft/2011/tracker#dt-by-round-input:1

 The Detroit Lions had an AMAZING draft acquiring Nick Fairley 13th pick, Titus Young 44th pick, Mikel Leshoure  57th pick, Douglass Hogue 157th pick,  and Johnny Culbreath 209th pick. GO LIONS 

Sources: ESPN, NFL.com

MAN UP

Tony Porter has a speech on TED named “ A Call to Men”.  In it he discusses how men are taught at a young age to not show emotion, be dominating and to abuse and degrade women.  He told personal stories to relate to the topic. Watching him speak, you could tell he was not making it up, and really had a very strong feeling about the subject.

This made me think. What is it that we as a society are teaching our young boys? Why is it ok for girls to cry and not boys? The answer is in no way simple. From a very young age boys are taught to “man up” and not show emotion. Emotion is looked at as a weakness, and boys aren’t supposed to be weak. As a child how do you know that? The while family is usually intricate in instilling this value.  We inadvertently stop a young boy from crying and make him talk to us like a “man”. When a young girl cries, we embrace her and encourage emotion. How does this affect a young boy witnessing?

Boys grow up thinking women are the weaker of the sexes, and only little girls show emotion. Boys are bullied, tormented and made fun of for showing any type of emotion. They are then compared to girls, and as Tony Porter said it destroys boys.  Being compared to a girl, goes deep down into a boy’s soul and hurts.

We as a society need to remember that what we teach and show boys at a young age, they will remember as men. Being in the “man box” will be more important than doing what is right. Tony Porter told a story that will always stick out in my mind.  A young lady who is mentally ill (which he didn’t know at the time) was lying in bed naked, being taken advantage of men and boys. When Tony was offered the opportunity to have sex with her, he didn’t do it,  but went in the room to act like he was.  He realized that there were boys lined up outside to have their way with her. Instead of being a MAN and standing up for himself, he fit right into the man box and did what he thought he was supposed to, he said “it was good” and left.

We MUST teach our children the difference between RIGHT and WRONG and stop focusing so much on losing manhood for doing what is right.  Listening to this speech was a great decision. He was very passionate and made you want to listen.

My question to men is simple…Will you MAN UP and teach children the RIGHT way, or keep teaching boys they have to fit into a “man box”???

NFLPA-What is going on?!?!? Lockout

 I want to make it clear that this lockout is NOT because players don’t want to play. This is happening because the players and owners could not come to an agreement. Honestly I believe it’s pretty childish and elementary

The NFLPA has been very instrumental in making sure the NFL players were getting benefits, receiving salary while injured, pensions and overall making sure they were being taken care of.  

For just a tad bit of history, on July 3, 1968, the NFLPA threatened to strike, and the owners’ decided on a lockout…sounds like the events of March 11, 2011!!

As we all know, the NFLPA decertified on March 11, 2011 at 5pm due to the inability to come to an agreement on the new CBA terms with the owners. Technically the NFLPA no longer exists. This decertification left the NFL open to lawsuits due to antitrust laws.  Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady are expected to file antitrust suits, maybe coincidence that they are 3 of the best, if not the best quarterbacks in the NFL!! Since the quarterback is looked at as the leader of the team, who knows what will follow.

When the current, well, expired CBA was voted on in 2006, the vote came back 30-2 to accept the NFLPAs plan. The players and owners are disagreeing about insurance for retired players, and taking the season from 16 games to 18 games. This will be done by erasing 2 pre-season games and starting the season earlier.

 

Right now the NFL is in a lockout- no trading, no free agents. The draft scheduled for April 28-30 will still occur but the NFLPA is urging the draft prospects not to attend, and just gather at home. I have a HUGE problem with this.  Most of the athletes have dreamed of getting dressed up and taking their family to draft day since they were children. Those 3 days determine how their career will begin. I believe EACH AND EVERY draft prospect scheduled to be at Radio City Music Hall should attend.

I do not know what football fans, including myself are going to do without an NFL season!!!

The NFLPA is very important in my field, and I am sure this lockout will not last long. The association will be back and be better than ever…at least that’s what we can all hope.

Here is some food for thought provided by NFL Lockout

*If there is a lockout, an estimated $160 million would be lost in each NFL city.

*The owners have negotiated TV deals that guarantee them revenues even if games are not played in the 2011 season.

*NFL owners want to increase the amount of games, therefore increasing each player’s risk of injury, but decreasing salaries.

*NFL owners are adamant in their desire to reduce the share of league revenue set aside for player salaries by roughly 18 percent ($1 billion) beginning next year.

*The average NFL career is only 3.6 years.  It takes 3 accredited years to get just 5 years of post career healthcare.

Madden Curse: Fact or Fiction?

Madden Football is one of the highest selling sport video games. Each year a player is chosen to grace the cover.  Since 2001, each player has had a TERRIBLE season usually do to injury after appearing on the cover. This is known as the Madden Curse. Some people think its all a myth and some fans truly believe in it. Decide for yourself….

In 2001 Eddie George graced the cover of Madden. His team lost the playoffs that year, due to him not catching a pass and it being intercepted and returned for a touchdown. The next season Eddie George suffered different injuries, and did not see an increase in stats.

Dante Culpepper threw 23 interceptions and had a knee injury after appearing on the 2002 cover. Culpepper broke the record for most fumbles in a season

2003 Marshall Faulk’s total yardage dropped, his team did not make it to the playoffs and he suffered an injury requiring reconstructive surgery.

Michael Vick broke his leg one day after Madden 2004 was released. He did not play the first 12 games. (Season is 16 games)

Baltimore Ravens Ray Lewis was on the cover of Madden 2005. He had the ONLY season in his NFL career without an interception after being on the cover! He also suffered a wrist injury one week before the end of the regular season.

It's In The Game

 EA Sports NCAA Football 2012 is asking for the help of fans to decide who will grace the cover of the video game. Choices are; Auburn Defensive Tackle Nick Fairley, Alabama Running Back Mark Ingram, Washington Quarterback Jake Locker, and Oklahoma Running Back DeMarco Murray. Players are to be judged on their 2010 football season. All four players and their teams went to bowl games and won. Here are some stats that should help in the decision making....

Auburn Defensive Tackle Nick Fairley a junior from Mobile, AL ended his 2010 season with 32 solo tackles, 24 assisted tackles, 12 sacks and 1 interception. The Auburn Tigers went 12-0 in regular season, won a post season game  and beat Oregon 22-19 for the BCS National Championship, giving them the PERFECT 14-0 season. He was VERY instrumental in all 14 wins. Fairley also won the Lombardi Award for Defensive Lineman. 

Alabama Running Back Mark Ingram a junior from Flint, MI finished the 2010 season with 875 rushing yards, 23 rushing touchdowns, 21 catches for 282 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. Ingram did not have a fumble the whole season. Alabama ended the season 9-3, but beat Michigan State 49-7 in the Capital One Bowl. Ingram had 59 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. 

Washington Quarterback Jake Locker, senior from Ferndale, Washington ended the 2010 season with 2265 yards, 17 touchdowns, and was intercepted 9 times. Locker was sacked 19 times. He attempted 332 throws and completed 184 throws. The Huskies finished the season 6-6.The team won the Holiday Bowl against Nebraska 19-7. Locker had 56 passing yards, 83 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown in the bowl game. 

Oklahoma Running Back DeMarco Murray a senior from Las Vegas, Nevada completed the season with 1214 rushing yards, 15 rushing touchdowns, and 10 receiving touchdowns. The sooners ended the season 10-2 and beat UConn 48-20 in the Fiesta Bowl. Murray had 1 rushing touchdown, and 93 yards. 

All 4 players had really good seasons. When making a decision on who should grace the cover of the NCAA Football 2012, one should look at the entire seasons and all stats pertaining to that player. Stats for each player can be found on the school website on ESPN. Voting will end April 4 and the winner will be announced April 19. Voting is taking place at  https://www.facebook.com/easportsncaafootball 


All candidates are excellent athletes and all deserve recognition, but you can only pick one! Who will it be???

EA Sports-It’s in the Game!

“NCAA Football 12 takes the journey of the college athlete to the next level of depth and authenticity. Experience the pride and pageantry of gameday Saturday with all new enhanced in-game presentation, traditions and school specific crowd celebrations. Make an impact on the field as your team takes down your heated rival on the road to the National Championship. NCAA Football 12 is available July 2011.” http://www.ea.com/ncaa-football