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

[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.

[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.

[mooby]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

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

Probably because they will lose money from signing the rookie first rounders. But the agents don't have say at the negotiating table, the players union and the owners do. And both the players and owners agree that rookie first round picks get too much money, which is why an agreement on that will eventually get done. I know the players want that extra money to be used on guys in free agency and I don't think the owners have any argument with that, they just want to stop giving huge cap busting contracts to rookies who haven't proven anything.