In A Perfect NFL World.....

[skinsguy]

Rookies would go through a probation period of two seasons signed to an NFL rookie league minimum with performance-based incentives. This allows rookies and second year players a chance to EARN their money through how well they perform. Also, rookies would be prohibited from hiring agents until this probation period is up or either they could hire an agent to work on contract talks for the third NFL season, but the agents cannot touch anything withthin the probation period.

Since alot of us feel that it takes most players 3 or 4 years to develop, I think this would help owners to invest their money more wisely into players that have proven they can be difference makers on the field. I think this would also lead to players appreciating their contracts more, because they're getting paid, not because of hype, but because of their performance. It also would allow teams to ditch players that turn out to be disappointments.

Now, I realize there would be a concern of health issues, which according to one of the Postons (take it for what it's worth) is their[the agents] major concern for players. Okay, I am not familar with the insurance policies with the NFL, so for now, I would assume that the individual players have some sort of insurance policy. However, in order for the player's union to accept this probation agreement, the NFL would cover the costs of probation players who get hurt on the field, and the teams would cover the cost of players who get hurt during practice.

That way, maybe it would justify the NFL's decision to force a two year probation period on new NFL players. I know alot of players would probably not go for this, but I think this would be pretty fair.