NFL Notes: CBA, Buccaneers, Patriots

CBA

• While there has been a lot of talk about the contract signed by NBA players, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that the only way NFL players will get better contracts is if they’re willing to miss game checks as part of a holdout during the next CBA negotiations.
• In fact, Florio says that in order to make a truly meaningful change, NFL players would have to miss a full season.
• Florio adds that one way to gain some leverage would be to find alternative ways to generate revenue such as the creation of a separate league to play on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays just like NFL games.
• Jason Cole mentions that the NFLPA has been discussing an alternative league for over two years if the NFL locks them again after the current CBA is up. Cole adds that this would obviously require a huge loan and/or an investor.

Buccaneers

Buccaneers WR Mike Evans tells Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle that the addition of DeSean Jackson is going to be “awesome” for their offense.

“This is going to be awesome,” Evans said. “Obviously, I think we could be one of the best tandems in the league. DeSean is an explosive receiver. I think we can do great things together.

“As soon as he got signed, we had dinner and we connected right away. We knew each other already. I’ve always been a fan of his game and the swagger he brings. Having him on the team will be very helpful.”

Patriots

• Mike Reiss mentions that tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Dwayne Allen are clearly locks to make the team, which leaves James O’Shaughnessy, Jacob Hollister, Sam Cotton and Matt Lengel competing for a third spot.
• As for Lengel, he’s coming off of an offseason finger surgery and the team plans to bring him along slowly, according to Reiss.
• According to Reiss, veteran LB David Harris‘ 2017 cap figure will be $2.84 million and it could increase up to $3.875 million in 2018. Reiss adds that the Patriots could still move on from Harris after one season with limited financial impact.