The Falcons are not pleased with the league’s imposition of a new conduct policy and believes that it should have been collectively bargained.
“The NFLPA is in opposition to it,” said left guard Justin Blalock the team’s union rep. “It’s hard to govern anything one-sided, but that’s what we have people in position for. I’m sure we’ll review it and talk about it ad nauseum in the coming days.”
The NFLPA and league executives have been squabbling over the new policy, which comes in the wake of high profile cases involving domestic abuse and child abuse by players.
The Union’s main contention is that the NFL has too much power in handing out discipline and that its procedures are lacking of due process for the accused players.
“Obviously, anyone that is in that situation would want to be heard and all of those types of things,” said Blalock, who has kicker Matt Bryant and fullback Pat DiMarco as his NFLPA alternate representatives.
Since the Michael Vick case, the Falcons haven’t had any major personal conduct violators.
“We’ve done a good job of being professional and not putting ourselves in those positions to begin with,” Blalock said. “As a man, you have to accept the consequences of your actions.”
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