"Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver said the NFL owners had "no practical choice" but to lock out the players after the NFL Players Association turned down what Weaver called an "excellent deal." Weaver spoke out in a letter to fans Tuesday, joining the verbal and written back-and-forth between the two sides. He said he believes football will be played this fall and reiterated the goal to sell out every game at EverBank Field. On Saturday, the NFL Players Association decertified after the sides failed to reach an agreement following a seven-day extension of the collective bargaining agreement. The owners locked out the players at midnight Friday night. "We all share the disappointment that the players union turned down an excellent deal on Friday and has instead decided to litigate," Weaver said in the statement. "I am in full agreement with the NFL and the other Clubs that the NFL had no practical choice after these actions except to lock out the players. It is my belief that an agreement on a new CBA will be reached and that we will play football this fall." Weaver's statement aligned with those of some other owners and the league office. Like those other statements, it contradicted the players' position that the owners forced the union to decertify in order to prevent a lockout. Because the players' association is no longer a union, players were able to file an antitrust lawsuit, Tom Brady vs. the NFL, requesting an injunction against the owners to stop the lockout. The case is scheduled for an April 6 hearing. On Monday, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees reportedly said the owners' final proposal was "all a show with no real intent to get a deal done." Weaver said in his statement he is hopeful mediation will continue." Read more: http://jacksonville.com/sports/foot...er-wayne-weaver-owners-had-no-choice-lock-out
