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Next NFLPA leader could be...

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Once upon a time, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that former Eagles cornerback and Trenton native Troy Vincent would become the next executive director of the National Football League Players Association. While it still seems logical that Vincent is a leading candidate to replace Gene Upshaw, events of the recent past have clouded what direction the union will follow. In addition to posting the news of Upshaw's death yesterday, the NFLPA Web site also announced that general counsel Richard Berthelsen would be the interim executive director. Vincent's four-year term as the NFLPA president ended in March and stories circulated that he was part of a players' coup to take over the executive job from Upshaw, causing a rift between the two men. Vincent, who did not return messages from the Inquirer yesterday, strongly denied that accusation in a March interview with SportsBusiness Journal. "Why would I do that?" Vincent said. "I don't think there needs to be a change." Shortly after his term as president expired, however, Vincent was passed over by Upshaw for the job of assistant executive director, which went to former New York Jets running back Clark Gaines. It was clear that Vincent and Upshaw were not as close at the end of Vincent's term as president as they had been for most of their four years together.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Troy Vincent, Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Troy Vincent, Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

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August 22, 2008  07:22 AM ET
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Whatever happened to who is MOST QUALIFIED regardless of personal differences?!

August 22, 2008  07:26 AM ET
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Troy... No comment.

August 22, 2008  07:40 AM ET
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The owners are going to jump all over this
POWER VACUUM and destroy the new executive director
during the next collective bargaining agreement.

August 22, 2008  07:52 AM ET
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If Vincent is qualified he should get the job.

August 22, 2008  07:55 AM ET
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i can see the league's inner office politics trying to own the NFLPA

August 22, 2008  08:13 AM ET
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Damn - I was rooting for bleary eyed Lawrence Taylor.

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August 22, 2008  08:34 AM ET
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the NFLPA is the only one who does not have someone with a legal back ground running things. if we are naming canidates, I vote Nate Newton.

August 22, 2008  10:06 AM ET
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How about OJ...he is a real problem solver w/ a lot of time on his hands! Based on his last Vegas outing he's a pretty kickbutt negotiator too!

Can he serve as president and Serve his time in Jail for kidnapping, assault, armed robbery @ the same time?

August 22, 2008  10:07 AM ET
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Why does this remind me of the power grab after a mafia don dies?

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August 22, 2008  10:21 AM ET
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I vote for Pac Man

August 22, 2008  10:30 AM ET
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Since the players have such short careers generally and they have so many health issues when their careers are over, I'd like to see them make a smart choice for Upshaw's successor. The man I'd like to see get the job is.....Alan Page. Former All-American, All-Pro, Hall of Fame member and....justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court. He would bring the kind of intelligence, integrity, experience and knowledge of the law that would really make him very effective. I think the owners would cringe at the idea because they couldn't control Page the way Tagliabue controlled Upshaw.

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August 22, 2008  10:52 AM ET
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What about Steve Largent? Or is he still serving in Congress?

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August 22, 2008  11:36 AM ET
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Page is too busy with legal issues in Minnesota. He doesn't have time for the real criminals in the NFL.

August 22, 2008  11:37 AM ET
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Didn't like your tactics but R.I.P. Gene Upshaw !!!

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August 22, 2008  02:55 PM ET
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How about OJ...he is a real problem solver w/ a lot of time on his hands! Based on his last Vegas outing he's a pretty kickbutt negotiator too!

Can he serve as president and Serve his time in Jail for kidnapping, assault, armed robbery @ the same time?
IGotaPointofView | 08/22/08, 10:06 AM

I just swallowed my beer bottle and hacked it out my window!!

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