What do you guys think about this big debate going on about how much rookies should be making? <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said it's "ridiculous" to reward untested rookies with lucrative contracts and wants the issue addressed in contract talks. "There's something wrong about the system," Goodell said Friday. "The money should go to people who perform."</div> http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8...mp;confirm=true <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Yesterday NFL Players' Association chief Gene Upshaw took issue with Goodell's comments when he addressed the 252 drafted players at the NFL Rookie Symposium. ""I think it's ridiculous that he would make such a comment," Upshaw said. "We're not in the position to try to take money from anyone. Our job is to make sure you get as much (money) as you're entitled to and not be restricted by anything else. We have never agreed to such a system. I don't see us agreeing to such a system in the future. "In three years, you guys will be asked to make some very, very hard decisions that other players have made before you. It will deal with the one issue that seems to be getting a lot of attention -- a wage scale for rookies."</div> http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/06/30/...omments-ridicu/ I personally think the NFL should adopt the NBA's system of dealing with rookies. The higher you are picked, the more you are eligible to make. But you aren't making a ridiculous amount of money like the NFL has it.
I like the NBA's system, but it cant be applied to the NFL without tweaking because the NFL contracts are not guaranteed, and all NBA 1st round contracts are....one way to tweak it would be to guarantee a signing bonus and a minimal contract for 1st rounders, something along the line of 5 years, $15 million for the 1st overall pick with a $10 signing bonus and annual salaries of $1mil....whatever the number would end up being, 66% of the deal would be in a signing bonus becasue thats the only money they are guaranteed to see....
Yeah that ridiculous paying the rookies over 50 mill before they have even played a game. (well signing the contract, thats what I meant) I agree with both of you guys about adopting the NBA system.
Its rediculous when Matt Ryan comes into the league getting $72M without proving anything, making him one of the league's highest paid players. They can do a slotting system of some sort. Perhaps do something similar, where the first 3-4 years are guaranteed. My guess is it would need to be at least 4. The question is whether or not the P.A. will go for it.
They will fight it, because they will want something in return, but in reality, the rank in file members of that PA must want a change....you have perenial pro bowlers that have to hold out and risk their careers just to get a portion of what some rookies are getting based on when they were selected....that cant sit well with those guys....if you fall in the draft, of course you can still make a HOF career for yourself, but you can never get the lost money back, no matter how well you do....
