Rookie salary scale a good idea?

by Ed Valentine on Jun 30, 2008 7:01 AM EDT in New York Giants News

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called rookie contracts "ridiculous" the other day, and I couldn't agree with him more.

"There's something wrong about the system," Goodell said Friday. "The money should go to people who perform."

Goodell was reacting largely to the $57.75 million contract No. 1 pick Jake Long, an offensive tackle from Michigan, signed with the Miami Dolphins.

"He doesn't have to play a down in the NFL and he already has his money," Goodell said during a question-and-answer period at the end of a weeklong sports symposium at the Chautauqua Institution. "Now, with the economics where they are, the consequences if you don't evaluate that player, you can lose a significant amount of money.

"And that money is not going to players that are performing. It's going to a player that never makes it in the NFL. And I think that's ridiculous."

Goodell hinted that he will push for a change when he opens labor negotiations in the fall, and I would think that would be a welcome one.

Nothing against Long, or any rookie, but I agree with Goodell that players should earn their big payday on an NFL field before they get it. Not get paid before they have earned.

The NBA has a salary scale for rookies. Major League Baseball does not, but it does have a 'slotting system' where the commissioner's office issues recommendations for how much each draft position should be paid.

A rookie salary scale makes sense in the NFL. Financially, it gives the money to those who have already earned it. Also, it would get rookies to camp on time and end some of the ridiculous holdouts by guys who need to be on the field.

Your thoughts?

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Comments

Yes....

It’s hard to argue with the logic. No GM wants to blow the cap on the next Ryan Leach. Any college player worth his salt will quickly prove himself and live high on the hog after he proves he can play in the NFL.

If things keep going the way they are now, more and more teams will be trading down from first rounders, making a joke of the whole affair.

by giant fan since 57 on Jun 30, 2008 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

The veterans

are all for this issue, for obvious reasons – money spent on an unproven rookie goes against the cap and can’t be spent on high-priced vets instead. Why over pay for Ryan Leaf when you can over pay for LaVar Arrington instead? I think that’s why this will breeze though the Player’s Union as well. It’s a good idea, regardless.

by rzor on Jun 30, 2008 5:16 PM EDT reply actions

Or Ryan Leach....LOL

Damn….screwed up another name….

by giant fan since 57 on Jun 30, 2008 5:58 PM EDT reply actions

Leach

is a perfect example. How many of you guys were hoping for Gallery a few years back when we ended up with Eli? The guy got moved to right tackle didnt he…I have to wonder how a guy like Jamarcus Russel will fare after another year or two. A lot of these high pick guys, especially at quarterback are hurt by the inevitable prolonged holdouts where maybe a running back for example would be more able to come in and effectively play just by doing what they instinctvely do. A rookie scale would serve the league and possibly the fans a lot better being able to weed out the guys who just cant hack it in the NFL.

We're only gonna score 17 points?

by big blue wrecking crew on Jun 30, 2008 7:54 PM EDT reply actions