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In today's edition of Around the AFC North, we take a look at Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark not being shy when speaking out on the lockout, some more banter in Cincinnati, and a Ravens linebacker working his way back.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Ryan Clark Speaks Out on the Lockout
Over at Behind the Steel Curtain, they have highlighted an interview with safety Ryan Clark in which the safety was very open about his thoughts on the upcoming lockout:
Anyway, Ryan Clark, the NFLPA player rep for the Pittsburgh Steelers, sees it the same way. At least the part about the TV deals being the Ace in the Hole that the owners possess over the players. It's pretty simple. Remarkably simple in fact: there's zero reason for the owners to be in a hurry to get a deal done. At least not in a timely manner. Why? Because they're all going to get paid beaucoup bucks again in 2011 regardless of there being games or not. Sure, they'd lose ticket revenue, but they'll all be dividing the same insanely large pie of money from the league's massive television contracts.
Let that sink in. Game or no games, all 32 owners still see their pockets lined with television money. So why would they rush even one iota this spring and summer? Why would they make any serious concessions to the players when they just have to patiently wait until the NFLPA caves on just about everything? That's what will happen though. Players will lose their insurance and paychecks, and subsequently panic while the owners just sit back and know that at worst they're still going to have a very profitable year from TV money.
Everyone has been having their say on a lockout; I think I'll have to come up with a column of my own thoughts soon.
Cincinnati Bengals: The Twitter War Between Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens
I'll let you read the back-and-forth banter for yourself. As one of Cincy Jungle's users commented, "Now I know why Carson isn't on Twitter . . . and why he wants out."
Baltimore Ravens: LB Sergio Kindle Advances Workouts
The Ravens' linebacker is working his way back after fracturing his skull last year:
"I'm not [scared]," Kindle said. "I'm hoping for the best but at the same time it is a head injury and the doctors are looking out for my best interest. If they see anything that is a question, they're going to let me know about it, which will be better off in the end. You don't want to go in not being full speed and get hurt and be done forever."