Goodell says veterans want rookie pay scale changed

[Kevin Greene]

Goodell says veterans want rookie pay scale changed

Posted by Michael David Smith on April 10, 2010 1:00 PM ET

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has made clear that he wants the next Collective Bargaining Agreement to reform the system that makes highly drafted rookies some of the highest-paid players in the entire league.

And Goodell says he has an important ally on that front in veteran players who agree with him.

"Yes, we've had a lot of discussion about it and I think there's a recognition that the system is out of whack. I hear this from veteran players," Goodell told Sal Paolantonio on 97.5 The Fanatic, per Sports Radio Interviews. "Veteran players want this changed. It's hard to see a rookie player who hasn't played in the NFL make that kind of money when guys have performed at a high level on the NFL level. That's where the money should be going."

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This needs to get done, hope we don't trade away next years #1.

[jramsey4]

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This needs to get done, hope we don't trade away next years #1.

You do realize we would probably have to be in the top 10 for this to affect the value of pick much. We have never finished below 7-9 since Fox has been here so that doesn't concern me (other then I would like to have a 1st but if a guy like D. Thomas, D. Graham, or B. Price could be had for that 1st I would be fine). What the Rookie Pay Scale would do was transfer all the money from those top picks and spread it out over the whole draft.

Vetrans probably wouldn't see a cent of that money. Still I think it should be done. But the burden of having a high pick should still be high. I don't want the top picks to turn into the NBA. The main reason a scale should be in place is to lessen holdouts (won't stop them completely because people are greedy). No more of this holding out because of your projected draft value and not where you went.

[Future of the Funchise]

Totally agreed... J-Russel and A-Smith make far too much money to be such busts.

[pantherfan81]

I think it'll happen. There's too many players that are upset about it, and they should be.

[Urrymonster]

Totally agreed... J-Russel and A-Smith make far too much money to be such busts.

Smith took a huge paycut and based on his current pay, is actually a decent contributor to the team.

One thing that I think having a rookie pay scale, will make problem characters rise tot he top of the draft, provided they have the elite skills. Often these huge busts happen, simply because the character of the player is very questionable, either through work ethic or decision making. With less inherent risk attached to a top 10 pick, you will see more 'boom or bust' type picks further up.

[DaveThePanther2008]

The only people that don't want it are the Agents and the rookies. The agents will lose alot of money once they incorporate this. Just think of the percentages they make of players that never pan out. That will go away. I cannot wait. Would love to see Drew Rosehaus in the poor house. That guy is what makes the NFL WRONG.

[KillerKat]

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This needs to get done, hope we don't trade away next years #1.

I'd like to see this rookie cap happen. I would also like us to trade down with our 2nd round pick and then trade next years first. This draft is very deep. We need all of the picks that we can get.

[brandon_87]

I'm for it, I think all first round rookies should get a league minimum but a 3 year contract to see if they can handle the nfl, then up the pay scale if they can hang, im sick of seeing these drama queens get so much money just to sit on the bench and do nothing or the ones that get a starting job and blow

[DaveThePanther2008]

I like the three year deal and A minimum wage based on position and performance incentives. This gives rookies something the can shoot at to give them a chance to make more money.

You really have to take most of the negotiating power away from the agents. They are the driving force behind the escalating rookie salaries.

[Ricky Spanish]

needs to be done. there's no way in hell a kid out of college who has done nothing in the NFL deserves more money than a vet who has been with the team for 5 years.

[DaveThePanther2008]

Well I agree and on top of that the money saved on the rookies could be put towards the other issues the vets might have. This would go help getting another CBA in place.

[Bama Panther]

You do realize we would probably have to be in the top 10 for this to affect the value of pick much. We have never finished below 7-9 since Fox has been here so that doesn't concern me (other then I would like to have a 1st but if a guy like D. Thomas, D. Graham, or B. Price could be had for that 1st I would be fine). What the Rookie Pay Scale would do was transfer all the money from those top picks and spread it out over the whole draft.

Vetrans probably wouldn't see a cent of that money. Still I think it should be done. But the burden of having a high pick should still be high. I don't want the top picks to turn into the NBA. The main reason a scale should be in place is to lessen holdouts (won't stop them completely because people are greedy). No more of this holding out because of your projected draft value and not where you went.

I don't think that is how the new pay scale would work. It would not give lower round picks more money. It would take money away from all draft picks, because the amount going to rookies, specifically first rounders, is way too much.

Why would the veterans want sixth round picks to get some of the money that was going to first rounders? They don't. They want more of that rookie money being spent on themselves.

[jramsey4]

I don't think that is how the new pay scale would work. It would not give lower round picks more money. It would take money away from all draft picks, because the amount going to rookies, specifically first rounders, is way too much.

Why would the veterans want sixth round picks to get some of the money that was going to first rounders? They don't. They want more of that rookie money being spent on themselves.

It depends on who you talk to about were that money should go. So who knows.

It would most likely actually end up costing Vets money.

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/119279

As players that resign contract they look at (if they are in the top 5 at the position) at what the highest wages payed at that position. If you take for instance QB you have to include Staffords #1 overall contract. So if I were a Manning or Brees or one of those top QB's I would want quite a bit more then what some babyface rookie got.

It might take a while to equalize but if Owners can get a rookie pay scale and a slightly reduce player salaries in time it could equalize to more reasonable levels without having to lockout. Its worth consideration.

[Nu Guns]

Call it the Jamarcus Russell rule