Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports that the lengthy collusion case between the NFL and NFLPA is nearing an end. The league and its Players Association agreed three years ago to hit the Cowboys and Washington with $46 million in cap penalties for spending wildly during the uncapped season in 2010. The union agreed to the deal in return for an increase in the NFL’s salary cap in 2012, but it still accused the league of collusion. According to Judge Michael Davis, who is presiding over the case, “The NFLPA has not demonstrated a colorable claim that the NFL improperly forced it to settle, or misled it as to the legal effect of the settlement. Furthermore, the NFLPA’s proffered evidence highlights the real concern that the NFLPA may use the opportunity for . . . discovery as an improper ‘fishing expedition’ to investigate the merits of its alleged collusion claim.”
The NFLPA will still have a chance to prove that the league acted in bad faith in 2011, but Florio believes that will be very difficult to do, which should soon lead to the end of the lawsuit.
Here’s more from the NFL’s two East divisions:
- Mickey Spagnola of DallasCowboys.com writes that Dallas will face a difficult decision on whether to retain running back DeMarco Murray, who joins wide receiver Dez Bryant as one of two Cowboys stars scheduled to hit free agency.
- ESPN’s Mike Rodak took a look at the Bills’ safeties, writing that the position will be a “low” need for the team if it re-signs strong safety Da’Norris Searcy and keeps him alongside free safety Aaron Williams. If Searcy departs, Buffalo could add an outsider to the mix, according to Rodak, but he notes that the Bills have a potential in-house replacement in Duke Williams.
- ESPN’s James Walker profiled Dolphins free agent-to-be Jason Trusnik, a role-playing linebacker and special teams captain who has appeared in 64 straight games for Miami. Walker believes the Dolphins will try to keep Trusnik, and gives them a 70% chance of re-signing him.