Would NFLPA have a vote in expanded playoffs?

DeMaurice Smith says the NFLPA has to approve playoff expansion. (USATSI)

More Draft coverage: 2015 Mock Drafts | 2015 Top 100 | 2014 Draft Grades | News

If you like the idea of expanding the playoffs and making it a 14-team (instead of a 12-team) postseason, it seems likely the NFL will grant you that wish. Playoff expansion almost certainly will be a topic of conversation at the owners meetings in Atlanta on Tuesday, and if it comes to a vote, it seems likely that it will pass.

After all, it will mean more money for the NFL, and whenever that equation appears before the owners' eyes, they usually do all they can to make sure it happens.

But even if 24 of the 32 owners vote to expand the playoffs, that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to happen because, according to the players union, the NFLPA also has to agree to the idea. And according to USA Today's Tom Pelissero, the NFLPA hasn't been approached by the NFL to talk about the possible expansion.

Not only that, but the paper writes the union could put pressure on the NFL about worker compensation issues in order to agree to more playoff teams.

As we wrote about last weekend, the NFLPA is miffed about the law that could become a law in Louisiana that would, in the union's eyes, limit the workman's comp money a player would earn if he's injured during the course of his job.

The union last Friday sent a letter to player-agents that subtly suggested that perhaps players should think twice about playing for the Saints because of this potential law, and New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees is on record saying the law should not be passed.

"Under the CBA, all changes in player working conditions, such as expanding the number of games played, requires negotiation with the players," Smith told USA Today on Monday. "Player leadership has consistently made it clear that we do not consider any issue, let alone issues that affect player health and safety, in a vacuum. We have seen the NFL owners and the league support rollbacks in injury care benefits and loss wage benefits in Louisiana, California and Arizona.

"Their inability to address and resolve these issues among various clubs means that players suffer disparate treatment in a league that disciplines to maintain uniformity. Most recently, the Saints introduced a bill aimed at only professional athletes to reduce players' workers compensation benefits."

But, according to at least one owner, none of this should be an issue anyway.

jerry Jones says he does not believe union has to sign off on playoff expansion.

— Judy Battista (@judybattista) May 19, 2014

Even if the owners do pass the expanded playoffs on Tuesday, don't expect that to be the end of it. Because it sounds like the NFL and the NFLPA are gearing up for another fight.

NFL Hot News

Rookie QB Bortles has good second day of rookie minicamp



Jacksonville Jaguars beatwriter, Hays Carlyon reports that the team's first round and number three overall draft pick, quarterback Blake Bortles made a favorable impression on Day 2 of the team's rookie minicamp. Head coach Gus Bradley had said that he wanted to work the rookies at a faster pace than normal and Bortles seemed to handle the increase in speed ok. "I think everybody got better from yesterday," Bortles said. "I did, the whole offense did. We were trying to speed everything up and make it faster. That will come with time. We're still learning and getting acclimated, but things were faster today and they'll need to be faster the next time we go out there."Bradley appeared pleased with what he saw as well. "He came out and had some incompletions, but he bounced back," the head coach said. "He bounced back so competitive and just wanting to know information. We tell him, 'Keep getting better and they'll stack up, good throw after good throw'. You might have an occasional miss, but he's learning what he needs to work on. He says, 'You know what, that is my weakness right there. I've got to use my legs more.' That's right, OK, now let's go to work."We knew he had some things that we needed to develop, but his leadership and the flashes that we are seeing are great about him."Bortles is expected to push veteral Chad Henne for the starting quarterback job in his rookie season.



The Jags are looking to improve upon last season's offensive shame-filled season, which saw the team rank #31 in yards per game (293.8) and #32 in points per game (15.4). All I can say to Bortles is, "good luck!" With career back-up RB Toby Gerhart set to shoulder the running game load and wide receiver Justin Blackmon looking at additional suspension time, the team will be looking to their two 2nd round picks, wide receivers Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson, to help out the returning Cecil Shorts in the passing game.For the record, I'm excited about the Jags offense long-term and can see all three of their top draft picks being fantasy relevant in this league eventually... just not this year. They are all worth picking up in dynasty leagues, with the expectation of being productive in 2-3 years. The one thing they'll have going for them this season is that they will probably be throwing the ball a lot. However, it's hard enough for a rookie QB to catch on to the pro game. Add two rookie WR's to the equation, and it only makes it tougher. I don't see Bortles as better than being ranked 25-32 among starting QB's in 2014. With a rookie QB and without MJD or Blackmon, Shorts is also someone I'll downgrade heading into this summer's fantasy drafts.