Lots of rookies getting most $ for their position ever in the NFL

Yeah this is getting a bit out of hand, and next year you know someone like Adrian Peterson is gonna probally get more than Bush got this year.Espurs117

[QUOTE="Espurs117"]Yeah this is getting a bit out of hand, and next year you know someone like Adrian Peterson is gonna probally get more than Bush got this year.bgres077

[QUOTE="bgres077"][QUOTE="Espurs117"]Yeah this is getting a bit out of hand, and next year you know someone like Adrian Peterson is gonna probally get more than Bush got this year.Wario_and_Fox

if thats true i can be in the NFL and not even play a game and still have a wonderful time being filthy rich

It's a really big problem.  I think rookie contracts need to have some kind of limit on them.  That would accomplish 2 things: 1) Teams suffer fewer cap problems.  Every year a team or two has to cut an established player whom the fans love for the simple fact that they can't afford to pay them.  If unproven rookies aren't sapping the team dry of money, the veterens have a better chance of not being unjustly cut.  2) Fewer rookie holdouts.  If the rookie knows he can't get any more money, he'll have to show up to camp content with the money he's allowed.

But on the other hand, paying the rookies a helluva lot of money makes the draft even more of a gamble, and thus more exciting for we the fans.  It's even more important to pick the right talent when millions of dollars are on the line.

It's a really big problem. I think rookie contracts need to have some kind of limit on them. That would accomplish 2 things: 1) Teams suffer fewer cap problems. Every year a team or two has to cut an established player whom the fans love for the simple fact that they can't afford to pay them. If unproven rookies aren't sapping the team dry of money, the veterens have a better chance of not being unjustly cut. 2) Fewer rookie holdouts. If the rookie knows he can't get any more money, he'll have to show up to camp content with the money he's allowed.

But on the other hand, paying the rookies a helluva lot of money makes the draft even more of a gamble, and thus more exciting for we the fans. It's even more important to pick the right talent when millions of dollars are on the line.

wallymartin

I think this year was a little different than normal.  I can't remember a year when the draft was so full of talent.  The players in this draft class are incredible athletic specimens.  I don't think Reggie Bush is overrated at all - he's the complete package.  Vernon Davis is a beast!  Mario Williams, A.J. Hawk, Vince Young, Matt Leinart, Lendale White, D'Brick - all great potential at the NFL level.  With so many great rookies, the prices are going to be driven up.  Simple supply and demand.drewmerritt

As I said when talking about the Reggie Bush situation, don't get caught in the rapt of looking at the numbers. Playing in the NFL is a job, and like any other job, as time goes on employees will make more. This is true for any profession. The only difference is that these guy's earnings are public. I work at a law firm and I see it here, An older lawyer will say to a younger lawyer "you make $$$$, when I started I only made $$" This happens in all professions and even in non-professions, look at minimum wage. What does it do every so often, it goes up. Here in FL it is currently 6.15/hour but a few years ago it was 5.25/hour and a few years later it will be 7.15/hour. That's how the economy works as the cost of goods go up, wages go up for all jobs. Why should these guys' jobs be any different.nationyde5

The real question I'm asking myself right now is, "Why are these guys upset that Reggie Bush gets paid so much?"  You act like he took that money right out of your pocket.  If the owner of the franchise thinks he's worth $100 million, then he'll get $100 million. 

I think the NFL has some of the more reasonable contracts in the sports world.  MLB is completely unfair without a salary cap.  The collective bargaining agreement in the NBA is far too restrictive.  And soccer players get paid rediculous sums of money that make the NFL players look like complete bums. 

It's a really big problem.  I think rookie contracts need to have some kind of limit on them.  That would accomplish 2 things: 1) Teams suffer fewer cap problems.  Every year a team or two has to cut an established player whom the fans love for the simple fact that they can't afford to pay them.  If unproven rookies aren't sapping the team dry of money, the veterens have a better chance of not being unjustly cut.  2) Fewer rookie holdouts.  If the rookie knows he can't get any more money, he'll have to show up to camp content with the money he's allowed.

But on the other hand, paying the rookies a helluva lot of money makes the draft even more of a gamble, and thus more exciting for we the fans.  It's even more important to pick the right talent when millions of dollars are on the line.

wallymartin

Well said.  I think the problem lies in the length in rookie contracts.  In Basketball, most rookie contracts don't exceed 4 years, they are also limited by a percentage on what a team can offer the player.  In the NFL, most first round selections sign 6 year contracts.  If they get hurt in that time then they could lose money later on.  That's why it's important for them to get as much guaranteed money now, rather than later.  Football players have the shortest careers out of all the players in every sport.  They also get paid the least.  The salary cap is supposed to be spread out among 48-55 players, a larger roster than any other sports team would carry.  They have the worst retirement plan, in fact, I believe they don't even have one.  I think the solution lies in reducing and limiting the length of rookie contracts, and offering a maximum percentage of the salary cap based on how many years they have played when they sign a new contract.  This would not only solve rookie hold outs (as well as pay disparity), it would also help out with veteran hold-outs.  It would all have to go through the players union, but I think if they all played ball it would work out. 

Also, pay and salary cap have nothing to do with the hype that surrounds drafting young talent.  It's about the hope a new prospect gives a dismal franchise, and if they can bring them to the next level.  Every fan in every sport feels the same emotions after a draft.  It's just that NFL rookies can cripple their teams with their contracts if they don't pan out.  NFL doesn't have many player for player trades.  Most involve a draft pick for a disgruntled player.