Linebacker Coy Wire, the Falcons’ union representative, was measured in his response Tuesday to the ruling by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to keep the lockout in place.
Wire and more than 30 players took part in seven-on-seven drills at a field about 10 miles from the team’s facilities in Flowery Branch.
“Really, nothing has changed for us,” Wire said. “Fortunately, because we’ve been working hard already and have had a method of operation, we’re able to just stick to it. It’s been business as usual here in the lockout life.”
The players have been locked out since March 12. The District Court ruled in favor of the players and temporarily lifted the lockout in April. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the lower court’s ruling Monday and will hear a full appeal June 3 in St. Louis.
Wire did not want to classify the ruling as a setback and noted that both sides completed two days of mediation Tuesday in Minneapolis. He remains optimistic that a deal will get done, but plans to make sure the Falcons have a long-range plan if the dispute continues.
Both sides have contended that a deal would not get completed through the court system. “Hopefully, they can just turn their attention to getting a collectively bargained for agreement,” Wire said. “I think maybe its better that a decision was finally made about the stay and the lockout. Now, we can get down to the important matter at hand.”
Quarterback Matt Ryan, who directed the offensive players through the drills on his 26th birthday, sensed his teammates were blocking out the news from the ruling.
“I think everybody kind of just wants to get it done,” Ryan said. “I do on my end, and I think it would be good for everybody to get it done.”
Ryan doesn’t believe that the Falcons will miss any games because of the labor unrest.
“You just have to kind of continue to let the process take its course,” Ryan said. “I’ve got good faith in both sides. I think that we’ll be able to come to an agreement and play football this year.”
The players have conducted their own programs without the coaching staff. They have a strength-and-conditioning program four days a week and started their seven-on-seven drills last week. They are attempting to simulate a normal offseason that would have included a strength-and-conditioning program, a minicamp and organized team activities.
Starting cornerback Dunta Robinson is bracing for an extended lockout.
“I never expected it to go on this long,” Robinson said. “Due to the fact that it has, it’s one of those situations where you just have to stay ready. Hopefully, it will be over soon, but you never know.”
Ryan isn’t expecting a drop in participation because of the recent ruling. Actually, rookie Julio Jones, who was cleared to run Tuesday, could join the workouts soon. He had surgery in March to repair a stress fracture in his left foot.
Jones, whom the Falcons acquired in a blockbuster draft-day trade with the Cleveland Browns, has been meeting with Ryan and the wide receivers.
“Our urgency is the same,” Ryan said. “Or sense of timing is that we’re going to be playing at the beginning of September. ... As players we need to prepare ourselves to get ready to go.”
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What’s next
The lockout will remain in place until a full appeal is heard on its legality. The hearing is scheduled for June 3 in St. Louis, before the same three-judge panel that issued the 2-1 decision in the NFL’s favor.
If the lockout is determined to be legally imposed, the owners will hold the leverage to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement and have plenty of time to get it done before training camps open.
The Falcons opened training camp July 29 last season.
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