The most important part of any new CBA - a rookie slotting system

[Bill B]

I think you’re going to see the NFL go more to an NBA model: no negotiation, here’s what the rookie contract is going be. Be productive and you’ll be rewarded. I think the money should go to players but it should go to players that have actually performed at the NFL level. I don’t think there is any question a rookie slotting system is going to happen.
I never understood how a guy who has never thrown a pass or done anything gets $50 million, and you got a pro bowler who’s getting a million.
Eric Berry was selected fifth overall by Kansas City in April and received $34 million in guaranteed money. Former Clemson star C.J. Spiller was selected ninth overall by Buffalo and received a five-year, $25 million contract, including $20.8 million in guarantees.
In the NBA where there is a slotting system, the fifth overall pick last June, DeMarcus Cousins, received a two-year guaranteed deal worth a total of $7 million. At least in the NBA you have to perform a couple of years before you sign a mega contract - can someone explain why the NFL system of rookie contracts makes sense in its current form? If you think about it the teams that get these really high picks often get locked into bad deals if the player is a bust and the current Cap system prevents flexibility and ties their hands as far as player acquisition goes. Also I think the players union should be for a rookie pool as it will help more vets more than anything. Lets hope we don't see any more JeMarcus Russell's and a rookie pool gets passed.

[diehard]

I see your point. 7M guaranteed over 2 years is really good for a NFL contract for most players/positions.

[mooby]

Originally Posted by Bill B

I think you’re going to see the NFL go more to an NBA model: no negotiation, here’s what the rookie contract is going be. Be productive and you’ll be rewarded. I think the money should go to players but it should go to players that have actually performed at the NFL level. I don’t think there is any question a rookie slotting system is going to happen.

I never understood how a guy who has never thrown a pass or done anything gets $50 million, and you got a pro bowler who’s getting a million.
Eric Berry was selected fifth overall by Kansas City in April and received $34 million in guaranteed money. Former Clemson star C.J. Spiller was selected ninth overall by Buffalo and received a five-year, $25 million contract, including $20.8 million in guarantees.
In the NBA where there is a slotting system, the fifth overall pick last June, DeMarcus Cousins, received a two-year guaranteed deal worth a total of $7 million. At least in the NBA you have to perform a couple of years before you sign a mega contract - can someone explain why the NFL system of rookie contracts makes sense in its current form? If you think about it the teams that get these really high picks often get locked into bad deals if the player is a bust and the current Cap system prevents flexibility and ties their hands as far as player acquisition goes. Also I think the players union should be for a rookie pool as it will help more vets more than anything. Lets hope we don't see any more JeMarcus Russell's and a rookie pool gets passed.

I think you will find everybody agrees with you, including the fans, owners, and players. There's no way this doesn't get done, even the players agree you should have to prove yourself before you get a huge cap busting contract.

[irish]

There are only a few rookies getting these big contracts while the vast majority of drafted players are getting minimum contracts. As an owner I wouldnt mind paying a big rookie contract once in awhile if it means I can low-ball the vast majority of my rookie contracts. I cant see any reason why the owners would want to do this.

[diehard]

Originally Posted by irish

There are only a few rookies getting these big contracts while the vast majority of drafted players are getting minimum contracts. As an owner I wouldnt mind paying a big rookie contract once in awhile if it means I can low-ball the vast majority of my rookie contracts. I cant see any reason why the owners would want to do this.

Correct.

[CRedskinsRule]

I think the owners know the fans want this and will use it to bash the players' union, but, like Irish said, they don't really want to see a slotting system if it raises the guaranteed amounts on players after the 2nd round. It's the perfect ammo in the owners belt, as they can point effectively to any number of 1st round busts and say see, blame the players for hindering it. The players union, on the other hand, is stuck trying to make a slotting system work for all the players and somehow selling the point that the money saved should go back into the players pot only. Doable, but so far I haven't been impressed with the union's arguments and strategies. I think they are simply waiting to get it into court and force the issue that way.

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by irish

There are only a few rookies getting these big contracts while the vast majority of drafted players are getting minimum contracts. As an owner I wouldnt mind paying a big rookie contract once in awhile if it means I can low-ball the vast majority of my rookie contracts. I cant see any reason why the owners would want to do this.

I never had thought about the majority, that only few rookies get big contracts.. However, I still feel like we should set up limited salary for ALL rookies (there's no need to modify contracts for 2nd rounders and less).. The fat contracts few rookies get, should go to veteran players because they worked hard and are proven players.. All rookies should earn the big money..

And not to mention, by having a cap for rookie salaries, it would prevent hold-outs from training camp and preseason..

[dmek25]

unless you can guarantee that the money saved from this would go to veterans, it will never happen. the one thing the union never wants to see is salaries cut

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by irish

There are only a few rookies getting these big contracts while the vast majority of drafted players are getting minimum contracts. As an owner I wouldnt mind paying a big rookie contract once in awhile if it means I can low-ball the vast majority of my rookie contracts. I cant see any reason why the owners would want to do this.

Good points. A) What about just a 1st round slot system them? I would be for that. One thing is for sure, most picks at least in the top of the 1st of the draft dont live up to that money...

B) What about just removing all guaranteed money from a rookie contract?

[irish]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

Good points. A) What about just a 1st round slot system them? I would be for that. One thing is for sure, most picks at least in the top of the 1st of the draft dont live up to that money...

B) What about just removing all guaranteed money from a rookie contract?

The union will never go for anything that will lower contracts. I think this could be one issue where the owners & union agree.

[irish]

Originally Posted by dmek25

unless you can guarantee that the money saved from this would go to veterans, it will never happen. the one thing the union never wants to see is salaries cut

If I was a rookie I wouldnt want to give up $ I feel like I deserve to instead give it to a vet. One's window for making $ as a pro football player is short and I see why any player wants the most $ he can get ASAP.

[CRedskinsRule]

Remember the college players going into the draft aren't represented by the players unions, so they really have no say about what happens.

[over the mountain]

I know Upshaw was against any cap on 1st round draft picks b/c with them getting huge contracts, it sets a high bar for comparative shopping for FAs.

so if a cornerback picked 6th overall gets 5 yr/40 mil, a FA corner back can then point to that contract as a comparative basis reason for why he should get 5 yr/50 mil.

but i think it has to be done. the comparison to a top 5 pick to someone picked 20th overall is astounding. unless you are picking a bonafide stud qb in the top 5, no player is worth that money imo. not jake long, suh nobody.

[sportscurmudgeon]

Originally Posted by mooby

I think you will find everybody agrees with you, including the fans, owners, and players. There's no way this doesn't get done, even the players agree you should have to prove yourself before you get a huge cap busting contract.

One consituency that does NOT agree here is the agents. They have been negaitve on this idea everytime it has come up.

[sportscurmudgeon]

Originally Posted by irish

There are only a few rookies getting these big contracts while the vast majority of drafted players are getting minimum contracts. As an owner I wouldnt mind paying a big rookie contract once in awhile if it means I can low-ball the vast majority of my rookie contracts. I cant see any reason why the owners would want to do this.

When this was discussed in the last negotiations for a CBA it was the owners who brought it up and who pushed it as far as it got pushed.