AJ McCarron on Matty Fresh Show

[MarkNelson]

McCarron lays it all on the line about UFL pay and benefits, on the Matty Fresh show. 

https://www.youtube.com/live/CtrxROP13E ... eqZGwaAjTZ

[4th&long]

Well - No surprise but unionizing by the USFLPA into UFLPA wasn't a good deal. XFL players didn't want it, smart.  USFL players got forced into it. The vote consisted of a very small number of players.  AJ is clearly against the union (SteelWorkers) as well as other former XFL players.

I said at the time it was a big negative for the league and players.  It wasn't needed and it was too soon.  AJ seems to be echo that exactly.  It also likely locks in salaries per player more so than no union, meaning they are more flexible w/o union. That's QBs getting paid more than others. 

Having said that AJ is a 33 yo grown man,  he has different needs - ie a family, most UFL players don't.  He's not the target UFL player.  The league is targeting young up and coming players, and rehabbing players with injury (eg AJ) or off field issues.

As far as USFL quality vs XFL -having watched both - its at most 10% swing either direction, Perez played in both leagues and lost in the USFL and won in XFL for example. 

But AJ is correct that the current UFLPA is bad, but the NFLPA is a disaster too, the NFLPA CBA is so top heavy to veterans and demauris really sucks for that , its why the NFL wants him in there.  UFL need a league union that's made for the unique spring league needs.

It was a good interview but AJ may have out grown the league.   It's provided him a return to the NFL.  It did alot for him.  But if the XFL was paying AJ more its just one reason the leagues needed to merge and why costs are so important.  In time, if the UFL succeeds player salaries will increase, that's the nature of success.  But you can't put the cart before the horse.

[laxtreme56]

As I've said before, it's smart to be financially responsible, but you still need a few guys with name recognition. AJ was perhaps the 2nd most recognizable player outside of Josh Gordon. Ta'amu, while not a star, is a guy even casual football fans can get behind. Losing top tier QB's so we can see Jack Coan go 10-24 with 120 yards and 2 interceptions isn't going to cut it long term, or even short term for that matter.

[MGB01]

As I've said before, it's smart to be financially responsible, but you still need a few guys with name recognition. AJ was perhaps the 2nd most recognizable player outside of Josh Gordon. Ta'amu, while not a star, is a guy even casual football fans can get behind. Losing top tier QB's so we can see Jack Coan go 10-24 with 120 yards and 2 interceptions isn't going to cut it long term, or even short term for that matter.

On the flip side, you're going to be drowned out by "why isn't ______ in the NFL?". Cringe as it can be at times, this is exactly why you're getting all these references (from Brandon, Moose, Rock and so on) to a low-key relationship with the NFL, take away that "either or" perception (at least as much as possible).

Case in point, an old quote by Earle Bruce (which actually sort of ended up being a backhanded slap) about his all-Big Ten LB Marcus Marek playing for the Breakers and not in the NFL. When the first thing people think of is why they're not in the NFL, and then you multiply that times ten, good luck establishing any sort of presence other than "Oh look NFL rejects" instead of "hey guys to watch" now that they're also a bit more cognizant of guys 23-53 (and beyond in most cases) than they were back in the OG USFL days.

Oh btw Coan completed nearly 75% of his passes in his last two and had 300 in both, just saying.

[GregParks]

[4th&long]

 

 

 

 

 

Looks like a little schooling from UFLPA.  That's good to know.  Don't know if that differs from USFLPA in prior seasons.

>>UFLPA@TheUFLPA 
Hey@10AJMcCarron would love to have you as a player rep & join us this year during bargaining. The Players’ Union negotiates minimum contract terms for all players. The league can pay above the minimum on player by player basis, at their discretion. Dues are not mandatory. <<

Usually when someone gets more, someone gets less.  As per my above post having QBs being paid more likely means others getting less.  Good for an AJ not so much for a no-name OL. But that's because QBs are worth more.  The "floor" of 55k makes paying some less - much less flexible.  Similar to NFL rookies-Year 4  making wayyyyy less than vets but NFL is much more vet heavy. (which is BS built into CBA.. why young players don't protest I have no idea)

[4th&long]

https://www.si.com/fannation/ufl/news/a ... -union-pay

>> AJ McCarron Unsure About Playing for UFL, St. Louis BattlehawksSt. Louis Battlehawks star quarterback AJ McCarron isn't sure about joining the UFL in 2024 and shared his concerns with the newly-merged league. <<

Good summary of interview