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NFL - Are You Ready For Some Football?! - The Offseason
Top-5 or top-10 draft picks are NOT overpaid. Matt Ryan's salary cap value last year was 2.8 million.
"You're the biggest user of hindsight that I've ever known. Your favorite team, in any sport, is the one that just won. If you were a woman, you'd likely be a slut." - Slowwhand, to Imran
Regardless, Crabtree is making an error right now.
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
- John 13:34-35 (NRSV)
Look at the signing bonuses and say that. That's tens of millions out of pocket for a possible bust with no reliable track record.
Meanwhile non-first rounders making actual contributions on the field wait 3-4 years to cash in on a second contract that (unless they made all-pro) rarely lets them "catch up" to the privileged few.
Apolyton's Grim Reaper2008, 2010 & 2011 RIP lest we forget... SG (2) and LaFayette -- Civ2 Succession Games Brothers-in-Arms
As the NFL has no guaranteed contracts, getting massive signing bonuses is the key. It's really the only security a rookie coming into the league has. And I don't blame them one bit for trying for huge contracts.
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
- John 13:34-35 (NRSV)
Don't get me wrong; I'm a free market guy. If it's what the market will bear under current conditions, they should grab every penny they can. It's great for the lucky few with big measurables and/or are from BCS schools. But these guys are far from sure things.
It's clear that the top picks are grossly overpaid in comparison to their actual value to the team. This is one thing on which team ownership and the rank-and-file players agree. No one feels good about a guy with a $36million bonus who doesn't have a decent swim move or can't read the zone blitz. Not the guy who drafted him. Not the guy who paid him. And certainly not the third-year guy with a good swim move who has to risk his life on special teams just to get the veteran minimum.
The inequity has gotten pretty extreme. The upcoming CBA should be interesting.
Apolyton's Grim Reaper2008, 2010 & 2011 RIP lest we forget... SG (2) and LaFayette -- Civ2 Succession Games Brothers-in-Arms
Signing bonus is the key, true. The thing is, you can't count on people doing what's right. A signing bonus circumvents the intent of the cap. SF figured it out first, as I remember.
I'd be a tightwad. I'd have it negotiated before the pick. I'd pay them damned well on their 2nd contract, if it was deserved, to the point they would be embarrassed to not sign. First contract would be 3 years.
Leaf, picked up on burglary charges. Now, that's just sad. I can some understand the drug deal, I guess, but burglary?
Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.
"Hating America is something best left to Mobius. He is an expert Yank hater.
He also hates Texans and Australians, he does diversify." ~ Braindead
Don't get me wrong; I'm a free market guy. If it's what the market will bear under current conditions, they should grab every penny they can. It's great for the lucky few with big measurables and/or are from BCS schools. But these guys are far from sure things.
It's clear that the top picks are grossly overpaid in comparison to their actual value to the team. This is one thing on which team ownership and the rank-and-file players agree. No one feels good about a guy with a $36million bonus who doesn't have a decent swim move or can't read the zone blitz. Not the guy who drafted him. Not the guy who paid him. And certainly not the third-year guy with a good swim move who has to risk his life on special teams just to get the veteran minimum.
The inequity has gotten pretty extreme. The upcoming CBA should be interesting.
They aren't grossly overpaid. They're grossly underpaid. Adrian Peterson has a cap value of about 4 million this year. Darren Sproles has a cap value of 6.6 million for this year.
Albert Haynesworth is getting a 7 year, 100 million dollar contract. Haloti Ngata of the Ravens, arguably the better player, was taken 12th overall a few years ago. He has a 5 year, 14 million dollar contract.
Top picks are grossly underpaid relative to free agents, and it's not even close.
"You're the biggest user of hindsight that I've ever known. Your favorite team, in any sport, is the one that just won. If you were a woman, you'd likely be a slut." - Slowwhand, to Imran
Not grossly. Assuming your facts are correct, all is in balance. I don't think so, but I might be wrong.
I would actually rather be low-balled. There will come a time when it will be remembered.
Naturally, the reverse is also true. Pay a lot and don't meet expectations, axed.
They're taking a gamble either way, but I really think the smart thing is to take the offer and get to camp. If the player is correct, he's got it made.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.
"Hating America is something best left to Mobius. He is an expert Yank hater.
He also hates Texans and Australians, he does diversify." ~ Braindead
Jag -- Cap number is an artificial contruct. You point to Adrian Peterson, but that's a 6-year, $40million contract. Not too shabby for a guy with a broken collarbone. And I'm talking about the top 5, maybe top 10, so your #12 example doesn't fit the model.
I would argue that veteran free agents should be paid more than any rookie. They have been through the wars and are known quantities.
My whole point is this: We don't know if these kids are over- or underpaid until they perform on the field. It seems ridiculous to think that anyone would pick Ryan Leaf over Peyton Manning, but it damn near happened and opinion was divided.
Apolyton's Grim Reaper2008, 2010 & 2011 RIP lest we forget... SG (2) and LaFayette -- Civ2 Succession Games Brothers-in-Arms
Cleveland Browns receiver Donte' Stallworth was suspended without pay for this season Thursday after pleading guilty to killing a pedestrian while driving drunk. He cannot participate in any team activities until his reinstatement after the Super Bowl.
"Your conduct endangered yourself and others, leading to the death of an innocent man," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote in a letter to Stallworth released by the league. "The NFL and NFL players must live with the stain that you have placed on their reputations."
Stallworth struck 59-year-old Mario Reyes on March 14 in Miami. He pleaded guilty June 16 to DUI manslaughter, a second-degree felony, and was suspended indefinitely by Goodell two days later.
"Regardless of the length of my suspension, I will carry the burden of Mr. Reyes' death for the rest of my life," Stallworth said in a statement. "I urge NFL fans not to judge NFL players or me based on my tragic lapse in judgment. I am a good person who did a bad thing. I will use the period of my suspension to reflect, fulfill my obligations, and use this experience to make a positive impact on the lives of those who look up to NFL players."
Stallworth drew a 30-day jail sentence and reached an undisclosed financial settlement with the family of Reyes, who was leaving his crane operator job when he was struck.
Goodell said he didn't take into account the sentence in determining Stallworth violated the league's substance abuse and personal conduct policies.
Goodell held a hearing with Stallworth, his representatives and union officials Aug. 5. He also met privately with Stallworth on Monday at the 28-year-old player's request.
"As you recognized both at and following the hearing, guilt or innocence as a matter of criminal law is not the same as a violation of NFL policies," Goodell wrote.
Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million contract in 2008. He earned a $4.5 million roster-signing bonus the night before the crash. He will lose the remaining $745,000 on his contract for 2009.
Browns coach Eric Mangini wouldn't say whether he was open to bringing Stallworth back next season.
"In terms of that, in terms of what the future holds, there's really no decision that's been made, there's no timetable that's been set," he said. "The focus is on what we have to do here, the players that are here and that's really the direction we're headed."
This was Goodell's second high-profile disciplinary decision in the last three weeks. On July 27, he conditionally reinstated Michael Vick after the quarterback served 18 months in prison for running a dogfighting ring.
Police said Stallworth had spent the night drinking at a Miami Beach club and had a blood-alcohol level of .126, above Florida's .08 legal limit. Besides jail time, his sentence included two years of house arrest, eight years of probation and other restrictions.
Prosecutors have said surveillance video showed Reyes running across MacArthur Causeway and being hit by Stallworth's 2005 Bentley. On a recorded 911 call, Stallworth said that Reyes "came out of nowhere." A police report said Reyes was rushing to catch a bus home.
A college star at Tennessee, Stallworth has also played for the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints. His first year with Cleveland was marred by injuries. He hurt his leg in training camp, sidelining him for most of the season.
When the Browns signed Stallworth in 2008 they hoped he could be a complementary No. 2 receiver and take pressure off Braylon Edwards. But Stallworth never got going because of the injury and made only seven starts. Edwards spent the season dropping important passes and Cleveland finished 4-12.
Once it became apparent Stallworth could miss time, the Browns signed 12-year veteran David Patten and drafted Brian Robiskie and Mohammed Massaquoi in April to add depth at receiver.
"I can say that I respect the commissioner very much and I respect the process and I respect the decision," Mangini said. "Our focus, mine and the team's focus, is on the task at hand and getting ready for the season."
Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. - Ben Franklin Iain Banks missed deadline due to Civ | The eyes are the groin of the head. - Dwight Schrute.
One more turn .... One more turn .... | WWTSD
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