Chris Cooley speaks out against rookie pay system

The Cooley Zone: NFL needs to change how rookies are paid - Shutdown Corner... - NFL - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/The-Cooley-Zone-NFL-needs-to-change-how-rookies?urn=nfl,79933)
"It's crazy to guarantee money to people who have never played a down in the NFL," says Todd Yoder (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5301/) (pictured), my teammate and eight-year veteran. "That's the way the system has gotten. If someone has potential to become an elite player you're gonna get more in the first contract than the average Joe Schmoe makes in his entire career."

I definitely agree with him here. The way the top rookies are paid is horrible.

Personally, I kind of like this analogy ...

The NFL Combine is comparable to a strip club with owners and coaches for customers. The better the man looks running around in his spandex (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23782590@N00/2293517348/) the more dollar bills end up on his stage. The funny thing is the onlookers at the combine are probably more excited than the creepy old man in the corner at the strip bar.

He's absolutley right.

Its kind of sad that these players get the bank when they have not proven anything while others have to prove themselves before making anything.

I'll bet a dollar a rookie pay scale is in the next CBA.

I'll bet a dollar a rookie pay scale is in the next CBA.

I agree, I think that's the only way to curtail the spending of NFL owners. The way the system is set up now, you make the wrong decision on a top pick and it sets your team back 3-4 years. Something needs to be done.

I'll bet a dollar a rookie pay scale is in the next CBA.


As well it should be. I have never been a proponent of the current structure where rookie salries are concerned, but unfortunately my vote does not count. There are those however, who have no problem with the current structure and wish to see it remain as is.

i think i remember and interview with pete kendall on sirius radio with pete agreeing with this comment. i agree with it too

Cooley did a good job with that article

Commissioner Goddell has already made a new Rookie cap/salary structure a priority:

Rookie salaries out of this league - NFL - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Avz5vyHy5BJfM6rm1u6g1rxDubYF?slug=dw-draftsalaries042408&prov=yhoo&type=lgns)

"having unproven rookies with such immense salary power is no way to operate a league; is unfair to veterans"

"No one agrees more than NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who wistfully comments on how the NFL needs to copy the NBA’s cost controls."

"the NFL is where the control is with the league. But on this one undeniable issue, Stern has what Goodell only possesses in his dreams."

"The NBA by controlling rookie salaries for at least three seasons, has set up a sort of in-house developmental league. A team has plenty of time to not only analyze ability, but even improve it before making the decision on a major deal."

"The NFL has no such luxury, making the top of the draft the ultimate high stakes crap shoot."

“A salary structure definitely makes sense from a league standpoint and from a team standpoint,” Conley said. “From an athlete perspective, we’ll keep it.”

The NFLPA has vowed to fight any rookie salary structure, but Goodell has already begun framing the debate not as an owners vs. players clash, but a veterans vs. rookies (or future rookies) battle. As owners swim in revenue, Goodell can’t cry poverty. He can argue fairness.

“I think it’s important to veteran players personally,” Goodell said at last month’s league meetings. “As a veteran player, you’ve proven your performance on an NFL field and that should be rewarded.

“When you see players come in (who) have not played in the NFL and it’s unclear as to whether they will be able to play at a certain level in the NFL, I think that’s a fair point.

“It’s not necessarily saving dollars but putting dollars to the players who should get them.”

If Goodell can get this one done, he will have finished a virtual clean sweep against the NFLPA.