NFL Draft: At Radio City the Show Must Go On

In this time of NFL uncertainty one thing is certain, neither side can afford to make a bad public relations move. On Monday, the players may have made one. It was reported that the NFLPA* has asked potential draft picks to boycott the draft.

In a SportsNation poll of 75,000, 72 percent believe it was a bad move. At the moment, looks like the players have a slight edge with fans, but more moves like this and who knows which way public opinion will sway.

It seems hypocritical asking the prospects to boycott when the NFLPA* was willing to cut their pay (it should be noted that I fully support a rookie salary cap, but that's easy for me to support since I'm not the rookie who's salary is being capped). That being said, it's understandable that these draft prospects may not want to take the advice of the NFLPA* concerning the draft. Remember technically there isn't a union and even if there was, incoming rookies aren't members until they're drafted.

Why was this a bad move? Fans don't want to be used as leverage. We just want football and the draft is part of that. With all that's going on, let the draft picks have their moment. Let their families have their moment. Let the fans from the college they played for have their moment. Let the fans of their future team have their moment.

Walking across that stage is the culmination of years filled with blood, sweat and tears. It's a graduation ceremony that few ever get to experience, even fewer if the NFLPA* gets their way. At the moment player executive George Atallah is doing damage control proposing an alternate ceremony possibly hosted by current players and DeMaurice Smith. That's like skipping your graduation ceremony and instead going to your fraternity house to receive your diploma from your fraternity brothers. It doesn't hold the same meaning.

Lets pray for a momentary truce, one that will allow for a draft with players in attendance. Current players can sit at home and revel in how challenging a draft without a CBA in place will be for the NFL anyway. Should be interesting having a straight draft without as many trade options.

I understand why the NFLPA* is looking for alternatives. There's a lot at stake, and I do support their right to fight for what they believe in. I also can see the point brought up by sports agent Drew Rosenhaus who tweeted, "The NFL Draft is an extremely popular event, but the players being drafted are locked out too."

Just a thought from the fans though, you'll have your day in court, but when it comes to the court of public opinion, boycotting the draft might not be the best strategy.