Players will be allowed to work out at facilities
They don’t know how many players will show up, but they do know they will be welcomed. And after two days when they weren’t, that represents progress.
With the NFL agreeing to let the players work out and get medical treatment as of this morning, the players are more optimistic that a deal can eventually be reached.
“We’re moving in the right direction,” Redskins union representative Vonnie Holliday said. “We’re out of that stalemate phase and getting back to what we’ve been fighting for for several months now: football.”
It’s uncertain how many Redskins actually will work out at the facility Friday. Many have been out of town, and Holliday said some are reluctant to show up for fear that the situation could change by the afternoon. Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, who already showed up twice to no avail this week, is expected to attend.
“Only a handful of guys are in town,” center Casey Rabach said. “Thing is, who knows? This could be like a faucet, and it gets shut off if the appeals court orders a stay. I would encourage guys to come back and get together as long as we can. The guys who are out of town won’t show up tomorrow, but hopefully Monday guys can get into town.
“It’s great for football and for the fans and great for the players to be back at work. But this could be shut down awfully quick.”
Rabach, who went to Redskins Park on Thursday, said he can’t go Friday because he has an appointment with Dr. James Andrews in Alabama on Friday to check his surgically repaired shoulder.
Holliday said he doesn’t necessarily believe this latest step for the players somehow gives them the power in this struggle.
“This is just a process,” he said. “Right now it’s working to our advantage. We have to remember that, and right now we have a strong stance, and we felt all along that we did. Now it’s playing out unfortunately in the court system as opposed to collective bargaining or in mediation. Nonetheless we’re starting to get what we want in terms of the outcome.”
