NFL First Round Picks (1 Viewer)

[renesauz]

The vast majority are unsigned, yet camps are opening.

Many teams are blaming the Rams, but this looks to be a systemic problem. While many would argue against a rookie salary cap, there is an obvious problem here which begs for a solution. It's ridiculous.

 

[DeCleater]

You will get your solution in the form of a strike next year.

 

[noneother]

You will get your solution in the form of a strike next year.

Ditka said it best "how stupid do you have to be?" "Killing the golden goose"

 

[ceo3west]

The union needs to learn from the NHL, a work stoppage will not help their cause. Concede on the rookie issue, get some wins in other areas and get back on the field.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

You will get your solution in the form of a strike next year.

No chance of a strike next year by the players. The players absolutely love the current system. You may however have a very good chance of a lock out by the owners. They are the ones that are must unhappy with the current CBA.

 

[dparker713]

The union needs to learn from the NHL, a work stoppage will not help their cause. Concede on the rookie issue, get some wins in other areas and get back on the field.

The owners want fairly large concessions. The rookie wage scale is relatively minor. The major fight is going to be percentage of overall revenue to the players, and what overall revenue includes. The owners are in a position to once again attempt to break the union and will take every attempt to do so, including locking the players out, the owners arent looking to give in other areas.

 

[Chaka]

I am pretty sure the pace of signings is about the same as it is every year.

I know that as late as last week they were well ahead of the 2009 pace for signing picks.

 

[Sweet Love]

I am pretty sure the pace of signings is about the same as it is every year.I know that as late as last week they were well ahead of the 2009 pace for signing picks.

I don't know the facts, but this would not surprise me at all. Typically, with the first player picked being signed, it provides a nice scale (i.e. percentage) versus the previous year and they can go down the line. When a random second round pick (Vlad for the Jets) signs first, it becomes harder to gauge the scale for the upper first rounders...still does not mean that the guys ahead of him and behind him cannot sign, or even guys in the 20s in the 1st round can start going off of Bryant's deal, but there seems to be a security blanket of sorts with the upper 1st rounders (and they are the ones who draw the attention), when that 1st overall guy gets in there and signs.

 

[Insein]

Its why a rookie wage scale will be part of any new CBA. Just like the NBA, here's your slot, here's what you will get paid. Now goto camp.

 

[Avery]

The vast majority are unsigned, yet camps are opening.

Many teams are blaming the Rams, but this looks to be a systemic problem. While many would argue against a rookie salary cap, there is an obvious problem here which begs for a solution. It's ridiculous.

Maybe a slight tangent, but I read in mid June that the Rams and Bradford's agent were about to begin contract negotiations nearly two months after the NFL draft.There might be some some sort of larger business reason for the delay, but I can't come up with any reason why they wouldn't have even started talks two months after the draft let alone began negotiations before the selection.

 

[Insein]

Rams have signed #1 picks before the draft in the last 5 years. Not sure why they didn't get started sooner on this one.

 

[Catbird]

No one has much incentive to compromise off their position until time pressure comes to bear. Why lower your price or increase your offer early? The other guy might raise/lower his first and that's a big $$$ advantage. Its only when the team needs to get the guy in to be of any use that year and he needs to get signed and in camp if he wants to play that anyone sits down ready to make real concessions. A rookie Sal Cap makes all the sense in the world - unless you're a college kid with upside. It even means more to pay veteran players who have actually earned it and won't turn into complete busts.