Cooley takes on rookie pay

[fent]

don't know if we want this here or the NFL or Draft forums, but given the discussion on rookie pay figured we'd want to see it. Cooley is the first player i've seen come out and oppose the rookie pay system as openly as he does here.

Rookies in the NFL make too much money. As a player I should be excited for anyone making a big contract. Good for them, right? For the top 20 draft picks it sounds great to sign a larger contract than guys that have played in the league for 10 years -- larger contracts than players that have been in the Pro Bowl at the same position. What's more is they don't have to lace up a cleat in the NFL and they are already getting guaranteed bonuses of $15, $20, even $30 million. Right, Rosenhaus?

and my personal favorite passage:

The NFL Combine is comparable to a strip club with owners and coaches for customers. The better the man looks running around in his spandex the more dollar bills end up on his stage. The funny thing is the onlookers at the combine are probably more excited than the creepy old man in the corner at the strip bar.


read the rest

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/The-Cooley-Zone-NFL-needs-to-change-how-rookies?urn=nfl,79933

[tbfoster1]

I definately can't say that I disagree with the man. Rookie contracts are ridiculous. I wonder how much we'll be dropping on Davis.

[fent]

I definately can't say that I disagree with the man. Rookie contracts are ridiculous. I wonder how much we'll be dropping on Davis.

given that all our guys were taken in the 2nd, they shouldn't be looking at big contracts at all.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

I completely agree with Cooley, but I wonder if he would be saying the same things had he been a top-15 pick.

[tbfoster1]

I completely agree with Cooley, but I wonder if he would be saying the same things had he been a top-15 pick.


I was thinking the same thing. I don't think we'd be seeing an article of this sort from him

[Moe]

This issue seems to be gaining traction and I suspect could be a real challenge (and possible defining moment) for Goodell to handle. The theory of setting up the draft to reward bad teams has been undercut by the extravagant contracts and it seems something has to be changed.

[colkurtz]

The draft itself is such a crap shoot. First or second-rounders have a 33% chance to be on the team a couple of years later. All the analysis and hoopla over each choice is simply blown away in the grind of the real NFL. It's more common to be a bust than a success as a draft pick.

Cooley is right here but I don't see the system changing. For one thing, the Combine and Draft coverage generate huge revenues for the NFL, sports mags, tv, etc and keep fans interested in their teams during these boring off-season months.

[SkinsfaninNJ]

They have to cap the rookie salaries. It is getting ridiculous and burdens the bad teams.

[colkurtz]

They have to cap the rookie salaries. It is getting ridiculous and burdens the bad teams.

The truth is that the draft is what keeps teams under the cap. Most teams have a rotation of bottom-level players who work for small salaries. Perhaps they contribute on ST or are the third backup. Every once in a while you get a real starter. For most though after a few years in the NFL they are let go for another new and cheap version.

The lower levels of draft are the expendable, replaceable and cheaper palyers who make the cap work. Mostly all we hear about is the high-end players, who ususally aren't worth the money.

Hard to say if it is a trend, but the Redskins may have discovered that if you trade down the draft it's cheaper and more value than continually bringing in FA coming here for a big, fat paycheck from the Danny.

[bergiemoore]

The truth is that the draft is what keeps teams under the cap. Most teams have a rotation of bottom-level players who work for small salaries. Perhaps they contribute on ST or are the third backup. Every once in a while you get a real starter. For most though after a few years in the NFL they are let go for another new and cheap version.

The lower levels of draft are the expendable, replaceable and cheaper palyers who make the cap work. Mostly all we hear about is the high-end players, who ususally aren't worth the money.

Hard to say if it is a trend, but the Redskins may have discovered that if you trade down the draft it's cheaper and more value than continually bringing in FA coming here for a big, fat paycheck from the Danny.

There needs to be a system in place where the rookie contracts have ceilings based on draft position. I, personally, don't mind performance based escalators, but most agents are shying away from those for the guaranteed money.

For many teams, a top 10 pick in the draft is seen as more of a burden than a boon, due to the financial obligation and the high risk involved.

[Shawnb555]

I totally agree with him a NBA type system would be best and get rid of hold outs.





Off Cooley's Blog too funny not to post

Who would win in a tag team match between Chris and Christy and Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson? The tag team match would start off with Christy and Jessica in the ring. Someone would come out of the stands with a cooler of beer and a couple of stools for Tony and I. We would proceed to sit ringside and high-five while clothes were furiously ripped off. In my world the match would end in Jes tapping out to a vicious choke hold, and I wouldn't be surprised if Christy dropped an elbow on her before she poured beer all over herself to celebrate.

[WRSK1NS]

The Commissioner was asked about the possibility of a rookie salary cap (on Mike and Mike) last week and I believe he said it was something that was being looked into.
The point was made that as long as the money was being redirected to another player (in the players assoc.) that the assoc. shouldnt have a problem with it.

[colkurtz]

There needs to be a system in place where the rookie contracts have ceilings based on draft position. I, personally, don't mind performance based escalators, but most agents are shying away from those for the guaranteed money.

For many teams, a top 10 pick in the draft is seen as more of a burden than a boon, due to the financial obligation and the high risk involved.

Yes, but there's always the "future Peyton Manning" lore for these teams also. Someone who will change your franchise for the next decade. It happens just enough to keep the myth moving forward.

Frankly, until this season we've gone the other way and wasted vast sums on aged FA who came here to milk this franchise. Brandon Lloyd and AA are just the latest examples. I think that's why (with the help of Cincinnati refusal to trade) we went cheaper and deeper into the draft.

Until this draft we had 47 picks since 2000. This year we drafted 10. Wow.

[ChiefPowhatan17]

Cooley is the man, everything he said is true. Like buges said a few years ago, about how they all look pretty in their underwear, but we'll see what they really can do once they are in pads.

[Lacquer Head]

Who would win in a tag team match between Chris and Christy and Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson? The tag team match would start off with Christy and Jessica in the ring. Someone would come out of the stands with a cooler of beer and a couple of stools for Tony and I. We would proceed to sit ringside and high-five while clothes were furiously ripped off. In my world the match would end in Jes tapping out to a vicious choke hold, and I wouldn't be surprised if Christy dropped an elbow on her before she poured beer all over herself to celebrate.


This is absolutely hilarious. I want to meet this guy.

By the way, who banned Stephanie?? She was telling me all about Buddhism!

[skins111111]

WTG Chris, let then earn the $$$$ on the field

[joethefan]

They have to cap the rookie salaries. It is getting ridiculous and burdens the bad teams.

well maybe it'll teach the badd teams to spend a little wiser, getting better players and coaches, leading to more wins. Then you wouldn't have to spend top money on a top pick....

[smoak]

I love Cooley, and I agree with him, but it is EASY to come out against rookie salaries when you're on your first veteran contract. :D

[redskin_rich]

I love Cooley, and I agree with him, but it is EASY to come out against rookie salaries when you're on your first veteran contract. :D
Well, he did play and at a high level, for a meager (NFL-wise) contract for his first 3 years. He earned his big bucks on the field, in the NFL, unlike a top ten pick in the draft.

[smoak]

Well, he did play and at a high level, for a meager (NFL-wise) contract for his first 3 years. He earned his big bucks on the field, in the NFL, unlike a top ten pick in the draft.

I know. I was completely kidding. I'm with Cooley 100%... It is actually to the point where teams don't want a top 5 pick. Its insane.

[coffdogg]

They have to cap the rookie salaries. It is getting ridiculous and burdens the bad teams. I agree. The whole rookie scale has gotten ludicrous. In my opinion the real downfall started when Eli (crybaby) Manning got 20 Million up front, which was double the previous high for a draftee. People can say well he led them to a SB, I say their D led them to a title and he rode in the back seat. I said it when I saw his contract that the rest of the NFL should HATE the Giants FO for blowing up the scale.

[coffdogg]

well maybe it'll teach the badd teams to spend a little wiser, getting better players and coaches, leading to more wins. Then you wouldn't have to spend top money on a top pick....Even if teams do better.someone is going to be at the bottom. It could be from injuries, bad luck with the draft or mismanagement. The fact remains that these players are coming in from day 1 and making more and contributing less than most of the vets on the team. The big winners beside the rookies.......The agents who are mostly pieces of crap. The vets will get sick of this because it is taking up money that could be used on them and they will end up voting for a cap on rookie contracts and the owners will agree. The sooner the better in my eyes.

[SkinsKY]

The Commissioner was asked about the possibility of a rookie salary cap (on Mike and Mike) last week and I believe he said it was something that was being looked into.
The point was made that as long as the money was being redirected to another player (in the players assoc.) that the assoc. shouldnt have a problem with it.

The money would have to be put into other players. The cap space will get spent one way or another. Giving less to rookies means teams will pay more for free agents and re-signing their own.

[NamVet4]

I know. I was completely kidding. I'm with Cooley 100%... It is actually to the point where teams don't want a top 5 pick. Its insane.
And you can directly thank the "greedy" nature of the owners for that!
Based on the assumption that a Top 5 Pick generates more revenue, over the long haul, thereby offsetting the initial cost. For now . . .

I agree. The whole rookie scale has gotten ludicrous. In my opinion the real downfall started when Eli (crybaby) Manning got 20 Million up front, which was double the previous high for a draftee. People can say well he led them to a SB, I say their D led them to a title and he rode in the back seat. I said it when I saw his contract that the rest of the NFL should HATE the Giants FO for blowing up the scale.

Again, greed! As for riding in the backseat,that's a good as place as any, except if you're a die-hard "GINTS" fanatic who seem to have given short shift to thier own D while basking in the exaggerated limelight of their QB.

The money would have to be put into other players. The cap space will get spent one way or another. Giving less to rookies means teams will pay more for free agents and re-signing their own.

IMHO, the owners and the NFLPA would have to bargain long and hard to reach an acceptable agreement for rookie cap . . .

Interesting idea and I look forward to input from other, more astute and knowledgeable fans here at HR . . . :)

[Meatsnack]

Gene Upshaw's take on this subject was that he would "never" allow a cap on rookie contracts due to the typical NFL career being so short. He wants the kids who only ever get that one big contract to be set for life.

Why, when it hoses the vast majority of the members of his union, I don't know. Especially when, as has been pointed out, that money would then be available under the cap to the guys who are already in the NFLPA.

A rookie cap does make sense, both from a team economics standpoint (for every Ladanian there are three Cedric Bensons and a dozen Akili Smiths for every Peyton Manning) and from a veteran pay standpoint. The only way I can see this working out with the union is keeping the same pay scale but mandating that for first rounders, it be tied to escalators and roster bonuses instead of signing bonuses. If you draft a guy like Ryan Leaf and he has $20M guaranteed coming too him, if he sucks bad enough, cut him and the unused years of the contract are erased from the cap. This doesn't help with the borderline guys you keep waiting to pan out but it would provide considerable relief drafting in the top 10 when a player is clearly never going to be a difference maker.

[bergiemoore]

Gene Upshaw's take on this subject was that he would "never" allow a cap on rookie contracts due to the typical NFL career being so short. He wants the kids who only ever get that one big contract to be set for life.


Upshaw is out of touch with a majority of the players, and this stance will only further distance him. The man is turning into a joke. He won't last long enough to iron out the next contract, and the players need to get someone in there now to learn the ropes before the stuff hits the fan.

[Meatsnack]

Upshaw is out of touch with a majority of the players, and this stance will only further distance him. The man is turning into a joke. He won't last long enough to iron out the next contract, and the players need to get someone in there now to learn the ropes before the stuff hits the fan.

As far as him being out of touch, I think you are right. Whether he has alienated enough guys to get voted out as head of the NFLPA is open to question. I sure wouldn't mind if he went the way of the dodo.

[Texas Skin]

You gotta love Cooley...............Who knew he played Baseball?

He must be a pretty good pitcher too............

http://www.lenconnect.com/sports/x1611219846

[joethefan]

Upshaw is out of touch with a majority of the players, and this stance will only further distance him. The man is turning into a joke. He won't last long enough to iron out the next contract, and the players need to get someone in there now to learn the ropes before the stuff hits the fan.


yea because the majority of players aren't first and second round picks....which i do understand...but that concept is no different from the corporate world. If you have someone who's gone to get thier degree and you have you have someone who hasn't the dgreed person most of the time will get the job even if the non-degreed person has more experience....the non degreed person will have a harder road to get to the top, but it'll feel alot better once that person gets thier. (no offense to degreed people or non degreed people) I just see it all the time.

I don't have a problem with it...but I would understand if they wanted to change it.

[bergiemoore]

yea because the majority of players aren't first and second round picks....which i do understand...but that concept is no different from the corporate world. If you have someone who's gone to get thier degree and you have you have someone who hasn't the dgreed person most of the time will get the job even if the non-degreed person has more experience....the non degreed person will have a harder road to get to the top, but it'll feel alot better once that person gets thier. (no offense to degreed people or non degreed people) I just see it all the time.

I don't have a problem with it...but I would understand if they wanted to change it.

A person who has put the work in to get a degree should expect to make more money. Meanwhile, the vets on the field that have put their time in should expect to make more than the rookies.

If my boss hired someone off the streets with no experience and then paid them more than I'm getting paid, you can be certain that I'd have some choice words ready. You reward those that have proven they can do the job.

[HanburgerBum]

The draft itself is such a crap shoot. First or second-rounders have a 33% chance to be on the team a couple of years later. All the analysis and hoopla over each choice is simply blown away in the grind of the real NFL. It's more common to be a bust than a success as a draft pick.

Cooley is right here but I don't see the system changing. For one thing, the Combine and Draft coverage generate huge revenues for the NFL, sports mags, tv, etc and keep fans interested in their teams during these boring off-season months.


The system where top rookie draftees getting huge guaranteed money not changing because the Combine and Draft coverage generate huge revenues?

First of all, the revenues generated from the Combine and Draft coverage is puny compared to the broadcast fees. It is not even exclusive--both ESPN an NFL Networks cover the draft.

Second of all, why should a NBA-type cap on the rookies lessen the interest on the Combine and the Draft? Fans would still crave information on both of these events regardless whether the rookies are being paid absurd sums of guaranteed money or not.

[HanburgerBum]

And you can directly thank the "greedy" nature of the owners for that!
Based on the assumption that a Top 5 Pick generates more revenue, over the long haul, thereby offsetting the initial cost. For now . . .



Again, greed! As for riding in the backseat,that's a good as place as any, except if you're a die-hard "GINTS" fanatic who seem to have given short shift to thier own D while basking in the exaggerated limelight of their QB.



IMHO, the owners and the NFLPA would have to bargain long and hard to reach an acceptable agreement for rookie cap . . .

Interesting idea and I look forward to input from other, more astute and knowledgeable fans here at HR . . . :)


Huh? The greedy nature of the owners is the reason for the current system where absurd sums of guaranteed money are being paid for the top picks? That doesn't make any sense.

The owners may be greedy, but that's not the reason why the current system of top rookie pay is what it is. The current system can trace its roots from the days of intense competition between the NFL and the AFL for rookie college talent before they merged. Obviously, the NFL could not stand by and watch the AFL pluck off all the top rookie talent with big guaranteed contracts without offering the same type of contracts.

Now that the two Leagues have merged and there is no League (the Canadian League is not a serious competitor) competiting for rookie talent, there is absolutely no reason to continue this insane practice of guaranteeing unproven rookies huge bonuses. That money should go to proven NFL veterans instead.

The next players agreement will rectify this absurd situation. Gene Upshaw will no doubt use this as a bargaining chip. But, if he really stands in the way of a NBA-type rookie salary cap, he will be out on his rear end as the director.

If the agents think they can stave off such a new rookie salary cap, they better wake up. The new rookie salary cap just makes too much sense--the veteran players will get paid more in accordance with their proven worth and the owners will not waste tons of money on rookie busts. If I am a smart agent, I tell the hot shot college players to come ASAP before the system is changed. And, the system will change--bet your bottom dollar on it.

[skins111111]

C O O L E Y ....to bad more players wouldn't stand up and state the truth

[FanFromArizona]

I'd like to see a system where rookie contracts are for 2 years only.

[HanburgerBum]

I'd like to see a system where rookie contracts are for 2 years only.


Why? Are you an agent?

Except for RB, K, P, sometimes it takes two years just to learn a position. Then, it is time for a player to move on already. It makes no sense for a team sport like football.

This constant movement is not even good for the players themselves, since they would likely have to learn another system and fit into another team. The only people who would unquestionably benefit are sports agents. And, frankly, I don't want to change any system to further benefit these bottom-feeders.