Rookie Pay Scale

Roger Goodell calls the rookie pay scale "ridiculous."

What's so interesting is that this puts him at odds with union boss Gene Upshaw, who for some bizarre reason continues to defend the exorbitant pay being doled out to draftees who aren't even members of his union until they sign those mammoth contracts. What's also interesting is that given the NFL's salary cap, this would be a front burner issue for the owners. After all, why should they care how the money is distributed, it's still coming from a finite pool of funds. More money for rookies just means less for veterans but in the end is still the same amount being paid out by teams. (Note one concern from the owners might be the bonus cash, which teams have to payout up front.).

Can't help but think Goodell's position is a negotiating tactic in the upcoming bargaining with the union over a new CBA and an attempt to divide the union and undermine Upshaw's standing with the players because of his ludicrous position on the issue.

NFL Labor Strife

We cannot fail to recognize Paul Domo's stellar article yesterday detailing the who, what and whys of the looming NFL labor battle in the wake of the owner's 32-zip vote to terminate the CBA two years early. Who knew Domo could be this insightful? Still, one wonders why the article appeared when it did...a month after the vote occurred and a month before the start of training camp. Hardly the time of year when the fans' focus is on anything NFL.

A couple of thoughts: I've been a long-time critic of union boss Gene Upshaw but this article reveals some shrewdness to Upshaw's actions. Maybe he really is crazy like a fox.

For as good as Upshaw is portrayed, new commish Roger Goodell comes off not so good. Indeed, he's described as a hot-headed less than smooth operator still feeling his way into the job.

In my opinion, the owners would be crazy to think they would be better off without a salary cap. Just look around at all the leagues that are going or have gone to a cap system. They should ask themselves why no one is moving away from a cap and why the MLB union fights to the death to avoid a cap. My prediction is that salaries would eventually EXPLODE without a cap. Their instincts to preserve the cap and approve the current deal were the correct call. Trust your instinct.

I don't know if the current deal is unfavorable to owners or not. Me thinks that teams are still very profitable and that owners are loathe to open their books and reveal all of the moeny they take out (in the form of salaries and other financial bennies) or take in as "non-league" revenue, which doesn't count toward the salary cap. But are the owners really willing to go to war over a lousy two percentage points in the salary cap which is the difference between the old percentage of league revenue (56% I think) and the 60% now? Maybe they are.

Here's the guts of the owner's argument.

"Smaller-market teams aren't doing great because they've got lower revenues [from older stadiums] and high player costs," a league executive said. "Then you've got the bigger markets where the team overwhelmingly had to pay for the stadium. They got some public contribution, but it wasn't much. They have the higher payroll plus all that debt and stadium operating expenses. Plus, in Gene's world, a bill for revenue-sharing. So you end up with a deal that works for neither [small-market or big-market teams]."

And Upshaw's trump card in negotiations

"They are essentially renting a system from us," he said. "We agreed to give them a salary cap for a specific period of time. They agreed to pay us 60 percent of the revenues for that cap. When they decide not to do that anymore, that's fine.

"But if they ever decide they don't want a salary cap, and then wake up one day and change their mind and decide, 'You know what, maybe we need that,' guess what? The price is going to be a lot higher than it is now. And they're not going to want that."

Considine to FS?

Hometown look at Sean Considine. Interesting that Considine considers himself a free safety and that he wound up out playing SS Michael Lewis to first earn a starting job. If Quinton Mikell continues to perform well at strong safety, could Considine be shifted over and become the heir apparent to B. Dawk that the Eagles have been trying to find now for three years?

Mays and Butz

Eagles rookie Joe Mays has signed a $2.6 million contract. Not bad for a 6^th rounder out of North Dakota State (it’s the standard rookie scale salary). More interesting is that his agent is Dave Butz.

 

The Dave Butz who was one of the famed Redskins’ “Hogs?” I don’t know.

A Sad Joke

And a sad commentary on Democratic counterattacks. Four years after the Swift Boat ads sank John Kerry’s presidential aspirations, his comrades in arms are NOW going to defend their records.

McNabb Psy-Ops?

Is McNabb stoking the team turmoil of Jeremy Shockey and Plaxico Burress' holdouts? Is Eli Manning strong enough to lay down the law to his offensive playmakers? Question one is open to interpretation. Question two is a firm, "no."

"Plax is one of the top wide receivers in the NFL," McNabb said. "He wants to be paid and all these wide receivers are getting new contracts."

Rendell Pays Bet Debt

Fast Eddie had to pay up for losing his bet against Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm for the Pens Stanley Cup Finals loss to the Red Wings.

Rendell in Red Wings attire while preparing to down a meal of Detroit's Kowalski sausages, Faygo Rock and Rye soda and Michigan cherries.Had the Penguins hoisted Lord Stanley's cup, Granholm would have had to don a Penguins jersey while downing a meal of hot dogs from Oakland's Original Hot Dog Shop, a Primanti Bros. sandwich and cookies from Eat 'n Park.

Rendell is a notorious ladies man and Granholm the hottest looking governor since, well, probably forever. Could their side bet have been who got on top?

7-2

Those are the betting odds for the Eagles to win the NFC East, the same as the Giants.

Dallas has the lowest odds in the division at 5-8 and the Redskins have the highest odds at 8-1.

I like the Eagles' odds.

Coverup Successful

It appears that the last hope of football fans to get to the bottom of the NFL's Spygate scandal has faded after Sen. Arlen Specter said he doesn't expect to pursue the issue any further.

To his credit, Specter was the only high ranking sports, media, or government official concerned enough about rampant cheating within the nation's premier sports league and its top team to even bother giving it more than a cursory examination. Alas, Specter's decision to beg off the simmering controversy over game fixing among NBA refs is the standard operating posture for state and federal officials.

More traditionally, Specter said he will focus on the NFL's anti-trust exemption and public financing of its stadiums. Funny how all of Specter's critics who questioned his involvement with spygate as being beneath the interests of a United States Senator never ever raise a peep when these same legislators are doling out millions of dollars to sports team owners in the form of construction subsidies.

Defensive Line Surprise

The surprise news along the defensive line wasn't that the Eagles re-signed Kimo van Oelhoffen but that the Eagles cut second year player Lajuan Ramsey.

Van Oelhoffen played in eight games last year while Ramsey has played in 15 games over his first two season. Or is it cause Ramsey caught the attention of league officials last year with several flagrant fouls? How ironic if that is the case since Van Oelhoffen is most notorious for the far more memorable and devastating (yet clean) hit that shredded Carson Palmer's knee in the 2006 playoffs.

Boston Backlash

A local perspective on the backlash against Red Sox Nation. Surprisingly, though, no mention of the recent success of the Patriots and the Celtics, which have only added to the general smugness and insufferableness of Boston sports fans. Indeed, the Sports Guy, who always had an anti-Philly bias, is practically unreadable now.

Boston and Philly fans used to be simpatico losers, wallowing in their sports misery and heartache. That is simply no longer the case, with Boston fans enjoying a nearly unprecedented embarrassment of championship riches and Philly fans....well, you know.

Still, Boston fans are a cautionary tale about being careful what you wish for. Money quote from the comment section:

The irony of the whole Red Sox nation garbage is that the Red Sox have turned into exactly what they once hated - a cheaper imitation of the Yankees. They spend tons of money in a league too afraid of the MLBPA to get any kind of reasonable salary cap and rape the lesser have nots of their young talent - the Marlins are their version of the Kansas City Athletics. And now their fans once the AL version of the Cubs fans are now an obnoxious group of braggarts. Congrats Boston you have achieved what I thought would have been impossible 10 years ago - you have actually found a way to have this South Philly boy root for the Yankees, at least they are the original and not a cheap imitation.

Stern Continues to Deny Refgate Accusations

NBA commissioner David Stern continues to deny disgraced former ref Tim Donaghy's charges that the refs sometimes do the league's bidding in officiating games.

Says Stern,

"On behalf of my officials, I'd like to tell you that they don't engage in the criminal conduct of which Mr. Donaghy has accused them. Our officials try very hard with complete integrity and honesty to referee perfect games. That they fail in that makes them human but not objects of the kind of ridicule and scorn to which they have been unfairly subjected for the last three days."

in other words, NBA refs don't do fix games...except the ones that do. Like, you know, Stern's fformer employee Mr. Tim Donaghy.

McNabb in "Hot Seat"

Donovan McNabb tops this Sports Illustrated list, literally, of players on the "hot seat" and need to produce "early" in 2008. Silly SI. Philly fans are famous for their impatience, and given the high expectations - again - for this Eagles team, most Eagles players, but McNabb in particular, need to produce early and often this season.

1. Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia Eagles: Though it is not being talked about much in Philadelphia, if the Eagles get off to a horrific start, some members of the organization and fan base may clamor to see what Kevin Kolb can do. The oft-injured McNabb is now having some shoulder issues, a bad sign for a quarterback in June. Andy Reid's loyalty to McNabb leads one to believe he will be given every chance to succeed, especially given some of the holes he has led this team out of in the past. But at some point this organization has proven they will move on if they have to.

The Next Dozen

My friend PK writes:

 

Here's the sked.
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=phi

Our next 12 games are against 4 teams whose combined records put them 45 games over .500. This is not do-or-die, or anything close to it, but it's certainly a gut-check stretch of baseball to test out just how good we really are (or aren't).

Donaghy and Baseball

Is Tim Donaghy basketball's disreputable but truth-telling, secret revealing, version of Jose Canseco?

Refgate

Michael Wilbon equates the emerging NBA "Refgate" with the NFL's "Spygate"...sort of.

Wilbon makes some good points about the need for disclosure and a fuller NBA investigation rather than commish David Stern's denials and stonewalling. But Wilbon can't decide if an Arlen Specter-type congressional crusader is a good thing, or a bad thing - for either the iintegrity of the NBA or NFL. Moreover, I'm not sure how "obsessively" the media covered spygate since it seems like most journalists went out of their way to downplay the significance of the Patriots cheating in an AFC championship.

Bottomline: everyone agrees the game 6 of the 2002 conference finals between the Lakers and Kings was one of the worst officiated games in league history. Disgraced former ref Tim Donaghy has provided an explanation for it. The onus is now on Stern and the league to explain why or how they allowed it to be so poorly officiated. In this debate about Refgate, perhaps one reporter could do us all a favor and as Stern directly about Game 6 with the benefit of six years worth of hindsight.

Another "Sweep"

Lost in all the euphoria over the Phillies sweep of the Braves and the Mets concurrent three losses that were in essence another Phillies sweep of them, perhaps we all overlooked the cellar dwelling Nationals who were swept by the Giants in a four game series this weekend (which concluded last night).

Thus, if you are scoring at home, the Phillies 3 game sweep of the
Braves and subsequent Mets/Nationals losses means the Phillies gained three games in the standings over every team but the Marlins in the division over the weekend. Incredible.

NBA Smoking Gun

My brother called me and asked, "did you hear about Tim Donaghy?"

Honest to gosh, my first thought/response was, "he's dead."

But no, Tim Donaghy is the rogue ref now revealing David Stern's deepest game "manipulating" secrets.

Specifically, Donaghy has told a federal court about improper conduct by the the league and referee involvement regarding some of the more questionably officiated games in recent memory.

In particular, Donaghy sheds light on just how fixed game 6 of the 2002 Lakers-Kings playoff series. "Company men" referees were assigned to that game in order to extend the series because it which was "in the NBA's interest to add another game to the series." Donaghy details the fouls that were committed by the Lakers that were overlooked as well as the "made up fouls" that were called on the Kings.

Donaghy's bombshell could not come at a worse time for the NBA, with the Lakers, beneficiaries of David Stern's ratings-mania back in 2002, now going up against the Boston Celtics in the finals. This series itself has caused many to question how interested and involved league officials were in trying to set up this series matchup between the league's two glamour teams. An issue that came to a head after a questionable no call the Lakers benefited from in the conference finals versus the Spurs.

The Lakers are playing at home tonight and down 2-0 are desperate for a win. After Donaghy's revelations to federal law enforcement authorities, it will be fascinating to see how interested the NBA is in keeping the Lakers alive.

Bore-Gush, revisited - Paul Krugman - Op-Ed Columnist - New York Times Blog

My favorite newspaper columnist points out the difference between "centrist" and "maverick" and wonders why the rest of the media can't make the distinction.

Phillies Yankees Connection...Again

As if right on cue, Sam Donellon channels my friend PK in harkening back to the middle relief of the late 90s New York Yankees as a point of reference for the current Phillies pen. Weird that PK made this very same observation - the very same team and players - yesterday and Donnellon writes about it today.

This year's pitching staff has two complete games, both by Cole Hamels. Yet, the starters lead the league in innings pitched. There is a sense, even from Adam Eaton these days, that each has grasped what it takes to pitch for this team, particularly in their home park. Throw strikes, walk few, eat innings, keep it close. It might not have been a foolproof formula when your middle relievers were named Mesa, Alfonseca and Geary, but the group out there now has been good enough to draw comparisons to that Yankees bullpen of the late '90s, the one with Ramiro Mendoza and Mariano Rivera at the end, and guys like Jeff Nelson and Mike Stanton covering the sixth and seventh.

Sayanora Strahan

One guy who won't miss Michael Strahan's retirement is Eagles tackle Jon Runyan. Yes, Strahan sacked 12 1/2 times and dumped Eagles QBs a total of 21 1/2 times over the past eleven years. But it could have been worse

McNabb said today, “Jon has gotten the better of him a bunch of times. I think that’s something people overlook. They look at Strahan and (his sack numbers), but we’ve had great games versus those guys. Jon has (proved) himself one of the top offensive linemen in the game. He needs to be recognized as it.”

I’ve watched many of those battles, and talked to Strahan about it too, and McNabb has a point. Runyan more than held his own on numerous occasions against one of the finest pass rushers in the game. And given the number of times they faced off – twice a year for almost all of the last 11 seasons – the numbers could have been much, much worse...“He runs around for 60 plays and gets one sack, he had a good day. I give up one sack, I had a bad day.” [said Runyann]

1958 vs. Today

Former Inqy writer Mark Bowden has a new book out about the 1958 NFL championship, aka the Best Game Ever.

As part of his research, Bowden got to sit down with Andy Reid and analyze the game tape. Though not the focus of the book, the result is an interesting peek into the seismic evolution of the professional game.

The Phightin Phils

We’re all basking in the Phillies three game sweep of the Braves and the Mets’ 3 losses to the Padres.

My friend PK takes stock of the Phightin’s:

The bullpen is the story of the year, I think. The offense is beginning to get where it was last year, now that J-Roll is back and Howard is heating up.

But the bullpen is unreal. Flash has actually settled down, Romero is just ridiculous against lefties and Madsen and the others have been great at keeping the team in the game if the starter only goes 4, 5 or 6 innings, which is all you can ask of the guys in the lower end of the 'pen. Throw in Lidge's absolute dominance, and it's scary.

Remember, from '96 threw '00, when they won 4 rings, the key to the Yanks was their absolute shutdown bullpen combined with clutch hitting. Their lineup then -- the one that won those World Series rings -- wasn't that brutal. It was just a very solid lineup that knew how to get the clutch hit, not just Jeter, but also O'Neil, Brosius, Leyard, Posada. (Remember, the '98 Yanks, which won 125 games, didn't have a single starter in the All Star game.)

But they had a shut-down 'pen, which meant that as long as the starter gave them 6 innings in the playoffs, then Lloyd, Nelson, Rivera were gonna kill the other team's hitters, and gave their bats the chance to win it.

That's what the Phillies 'pen is doing right now. Bad sports analogy coming here, but great middle relievers are like great shutdown corners. When they really do their jobs well, you don't even notice them in the game. Oh well, la di da, it's the 6th and 7th inning and the opponents just went down in order, 1-2-3, 1-2-3, that's nice, ho hum. Or, when a corner is really on, you don't even notice it because the opposing offense doesn't even try to throw to that guy's cover.

Yet they're invaluable come playoff crunch time. God, I hope these guys can stay healthy.

BTW, I feel an Utley SI cover coming very soon, once the NBA championships are over.

2 for 1

With the Mets having been swept by the Padres this weekend, it’s like the Phillies swept both the Braves AND the Mets this past weekend since the Phils gained 3 games on each division rival.

 

3 years ago today

Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan's testimony on the U.S. economic outlook from June 9, 2005, where he first mentioned "froth" in the housing industry.

"Although we certainly cannot rule out home price declines, especially in some local markets, these declines, were they to occur, likely would not have substantial macroeconomic implications. Nationwide banking and widespread securitization of mortgages make it less likely that financial intermediation would be impaired than was the case in prior episodes of regional house price corrections. Moreover, a substantial rise in bankruptcies would require a quite-significant overall reduction in the national housing price level because the vast majority of homeowners have built up substantial equity in their homes despite large home equity withdrawals in recent years financed by the mortgage market."

Dick Vermeil

Chester County loves Dick Vermeil, and Vermeil loves Chester County.

Chester County allows you to live in the country but still be close enough to enjoy the city,” Vermeil added. “It’s close to New York and Baltimore and the airport, so I can go where I want to go. But when I am home, I really am home.”...

“Chester County has been good to me and this gives me a chance to give something back,” he said.

New Starter at Strong Safety?

So it's official? Quintin Mikell is now the starter at strong safety over Sean Considine.

Inqy Buries Hamels Lead

Yes, Cole Hamels was dominating this afternoon. And the Inqy dutifully reports that Hamels recorded his second "career shutout."

But what the Inqy doesn't elaborate on, for reasons not entirely clear, is that this is Hamels second shutout in three weeks. And in an era of specialty relievers galore, it is also Hamels' second complete game of the season. And it's only early June.

Why the distinction of his career numbers and not of Hamels' domination over the first two months of the season is perplexing. As was the breathless coverage of Ken Griffey, Jr. NOT hitting his 600th homer vs. the Phillies.

A Griffey Fan

I can't believe I can't find any pictures - anywhere - of Donovan McNabb decked out in Phillie pinstripes for his batting practice appearance before last night's game. How is that possible?

And I find it interesting that McNabb is such a huge Ken Griffey, Jr. fan - which was the impetus of his attendance at the Reds-Phillies game.

Does McNabb see something of himself in Griffey? A monstrous talent - Hall of Fame talent - whose skills tailed off noticeably after chronic injuries diminished their skills and robbed them of playing time.

I also find it hard to believe that "The Kid," (and not the "Big Kid") is seven years older than McNabb!?

Sheppard Declines Optional Workout

In addition to the breathless reports that disgruntled CB Lito Sheppard chose not to attend the Eagles' voluntary minicamp, the Philly media tries to stir the pot by speculating whether Lito would boycott the mandatory team activities. (Hint: he won't).

"The guys that are here are getting extra practice time," RPublish Posteid said, perhaps indicating that both players might have put themselves in jeopardy -- Sheppard in terms of starting ahead of Sheldon Brown and Young in terms of making the roster.

Funny. Assante Samuel never attended a single Eagles practice before being promoted to starter. In fact, Samuel was proclaimed the starting left corner over Lito less than one hour after officially joining the team. So I don't think Lito is too worried about whether practice time will determine who the starters are.

2008 Rankings?

Paul Domowitch got a jump on the competition to issue his 2008 NFL team rankings. I suppose the hook was the Eagles voluntary minicamp...even though opening day isn't for another three months. But what the hey.

Dallas at #1? Top 4 but not necessarily sure about 1. Green Bay at 6? With untested Aaron Rodgers a first time starter? I don't think so. According to Domo the Eagles are #3 in their own division and 5th in the NFC.

Why Democrats Suck

Regardless of your feelings about Bill Clinton, you have to admit the truth of Jay Carson's pointed description of the difference between Rs and Ds.

“The ills of the Democratic Party can be seen perfectly in the willingness of fellow Democrats to say bad things about President Clinton. If you ask any Republican about Reagan they will say he still makes the sun rise in the morning, but if you ask Democrats about their only two-term president in 80 years, a man who took the party from the wilderness of loserdom to the White House and created the strongest economy in American history, they’d rather be quoted saying what a reporter wants to hear than protect a strong brand for the party. Republicans look at this behavior and laugh at us.”

MVPs

Has any team ever had back, to back, to back MVPs?

Michael Crichton's 1993 prediction of mass-media extinction now looks on target. - By Jack Shafer - Slate Magazine

One of my favorite authors provides a withering critique of the state of American media/journalism. One of his key complaints is especially relevant in the wake of the "Russert Declaration" several weeks ago.

"Look at how many stories are unsourced or have unnamed sources. Look at how many stories are about what 'may' or 'might' or 'could' happen," he says. "Might and could means the story is speculation. Framing as I described means the story is opinion. And opinion is not factual content."

"The biggest change is that contemporary media has shifted from fact to opinion and speculation. You can watch cable news all day and never hear anything except questions like, 'How much will the Rev. Wright hurt Obama's chances?' 'Is Hillary now looking toward 2012?' 'How will McCain overcome the age argument?' These are questions for which there are endless answers. Contentious hosts on cable shows keep the arguments rolling," he says.

Taylor Pas De Deux

The fit is so obvious even the NFL is reporting that a Jason Taylor trade to the Eagles is a possibility. The only question, it would seem, is whether Lito Sheppard is included in any deal. (I'd say no. The Dolphins negotiating leverage in dealing Taylor is even less than the Eagles have with Sheppard. A 3rd rounder for Taylor? Why not).

Throughout the offseason, the Eagles have tried to make a big splash. First they landed free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel. Then they nearly signed free-agent wide receiver Randy Moss. They inquired about trading for Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Johnson. And they have looked into the possibility of trading for Taylor. Eagles coach Andy Reid never has enough defensive linemen. During the Reid era, the Eagles have drafted a defensive lineman with their top pick five times in nine years, including this past year, when Philadelphia drafted Notre Dame defensive tackle Trevor Laws in the second round with the 47th overall pick. Taylor would team with Pro Bowl defensive end Trent Cole to give the Eagles a dynamic pass-rushing tag team.

Thomas vs. Runyan

Will the Eagles keep both, one or neither of their bookend tackles after 2008? A lot of factors to consider but this prediction gives the edge to William (nee Tra) Thomas. Bottomline, left tackles are harder to replace than right tackles. Just ask Winston Justice.

If the Eagles decide to keep just one of the two talented players, a number of factors have to be considered. Both are tenacious players who have earned Pro Bowl honors. Age shouldn't play a major factor as Thomas will be 34 and Runyan will be 35 at the end of the year. Runyan is hitting the team's cap for roughly $1 million less than Thomas this season, but Thomas is one of the longest-tenured players on the team as he enters his 11th season. Only safety Brian Dawkins, who is entering his 13th season, has been an Eagle longer than the 6-foot-7, 335-pound tackle.

Upshaw - Genius or Fool?

The owners 32-0 vote to prematurely end the collective bargaining agreement calls into question the performance of NFL union boss Gene Upshaw.

Is he the mastermind of a labor deal that was so slanted to the players that owners had to end it early?

One assumption would be that the owners now believe former commissioner Paul Tagliabue was fleeced by Gene Upshaw and the NFL Players Association when the contract was extended in 2006.

Or is he the stooge that focused on short term financial gain (the 59.5% of league revenue for player salaries) while being completely outmaneuvered by accepting some poison pill provisions in the event the owners cut the CBA short in their long-range attempt to rein in player salaries?

would be that this was part of the plan all along, that the final two years of that contract were never going to happen. By opting out, the owners have triggered a number of interesting clauses in the contract, and, what a surprise, all of them appear to benefit management.

Given Upshaw's history, the second scenario is most likely.

Killing the Golden Goose

Bob Ford does a good job of highlighting many of the owners' advantages in ending the NFL's collective bargaining agreement two years early - advantages which have gotten short shrift among most media reports.

The threat of that uncapped 2010 season could also provide an enormous benefit to the owners in the next two seasons, a brilliant and somewhat overlooked bit of strategy. Let's say you represent a player who is supposed to become a free agent in 2010, but won't be if a new bargaining agreement isn't reached. On the Eagles, that list includes Omar Gaither, Chris Gocong and Max Jean-Gilles among others. Would you advise your client to sign an extension in the interim and not bet on free agency? Think the teams might be able to sign players in that situation to less attractive deals than they would have gotten otherwise? Me, too.

Aside from all that, the league simply wants more of the $7 billion it generates in revenue each season. The players currently get 59.5 percent of it, divided up into the salary cap. The owners want the percentage that goes to salaries to be smaller, arguing that they have to build stadiums and things like that and would prefer someone else pay for them.

Two things: Ford perpetuates the myth that the owners "build stadiums," or at least, have to pay for it. States and localities have picked up the vast, vast bulk of stadium construction expenses and where teams have had to pay - typically a token amount - the naming rights (which the teams keep all to themselves) has covered it.

But the big unanswered question is why the owners are willing to kill the golden goose. Are they really quibbling over a couple of percentage points and lower the 59.5% of league revenue that goes toward players salaries/constitutes the salary cap?

Are they really willing to lockout the players to get salaries down to 56% of revenue? Especially when the teams are able to keep to themselves all of their locally generated revenue? Do the owners really want to open that pandora's box of unaccounted for team revenues in all of this? That is the great unanswered question.