The Baltimore Ravens are not the only team that is concerned about the effects that will be brought with the lack of a CBA next season. Without an agreement, there will be no salary cap, allowing the most financially endowed owners to spend freely. The Ravens, while stable in terms of their financial foundation, will have to learn alongside the rest of the NFL what it takes to balance the money they spend with the shortage of money that is being made.

“Doing well compared to other teams around the league. But just because we’re still doing well in revenues, that doesn’t mean we’re generating a lot of profit.”

Ravens’ president, Dick Cass, put it in simple terms that most of us will understand. While questions loom over the heads of fans who most likely have a difficult time understanding the details of the problem the NFL is likely to face, it is a reality that the teams throughout the league will have to become accustom to. That includes you, Dan Snyder.

Steve Bisciotti has had a strong opinion on the situation since the end of the Ravens’ season. He said he recognized that the CBA was going to be a problem for the owners from the beginning, claiming that the deal was never a good one for the owners. He fears that if the problems persist, the NFL could be staring at a lockout, something that the owners, players, and fans would dread to have happen.

It’s quite obvious that the NFL is facing the same financial bindings that most of the businesses in America are being forced to deal with. The bad economy doesn’t avoid the National Football League just because it provides a welcomed getaway for most of us to forget about the daily grind. Look no further than the Jacksonville Jaguars, a franchise that may soon become the Los Angeles Jaguars due to the inability to draw fans and make a profit. Blacked out games and constant proposals to draw the franchise out of Jacksonville have become common occurrences down in Florida, even while the team pushed for a playoff spot this season.

The example that the Jags provide is an extreme picture of what the majority of the league is going through in some shape or form. While no salary cap next season may sound inviting to some, the fact is that the 32 NFL franchises don’t have the money to spend even without the league imposed limitations.

Biscotti has also made reference to teams having to sell off their star players in order to avoid spending too much money. The problems have taken a method of making money for teams by putting players on the field that people will pay money to watch, and have turned it around to become a burden. What would have happened if the Colts had to rid themselves of Johnny Unitas before his contract ran out, just because they were not in a position financially to keep him around? While that seems ridiculous, we are already beginning to see moves made that would parallel such a scenario. Without a franchise tag option, several star players around the league would be playing in a different uniform.

Julius Peppers comes to mind before anybody else when thinking about players whose contracts are too much for an NFL team to afford. The Panthers stand no chance retaining their star player if they want to be able to function. Without the ability to limit the amount of money Peppers makes, he will find a new  home next season, as long as another team is willing to pick up the tab. Biscotti’s point is right on; NFL franchises cannot continue to operate in such a fashion if they want to avoid driving the league straight into the ground.

The Ravens are still at the top of the league in terms of financial stability, due mainly to the well run operations of a good owner, president, and General Manager. But Biscotti has reason to worry, not just for his team, but for the future of the NFL. Without an agreement being made in the near future, the National Football League could face very harsh problems, leaving many teams out to dry.

Read the majority of the article that includes the comments by Biscotti here.