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SkinsFreak
Fire in the Sky
Joined: 27 Dec 2005
Posts: 4884
Location: Surfside
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:12 pm Post subject: NFL Draft Needs Updating |
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Since this article is about the draft, I thought I'd put it in this forum.
| Quote: | Colts president Polian says NFL draft needs updating
INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian isn't sure if having a top 10 draft pick would be worth it.
His Colts don't have a selection until late in the second round. He explained Sunday at the NFL Scouting Combine why his team might be better off that way.
Polian said good teams like the Colts are less likely than in the past to trade up for an early pick because of the required financial commitment. Last year's top pick, JaMarcus Russell, missed all of training camp in a contract dispute before getting $29 million in guarantees.
"Trades are a unique thing in the first round anymore because of the cost of the top 10 picks financially," he said. "To take on that cost ... is almost counterintuitive."
Polian said agents have driven up the cost of the early picks, making it more difficult than ever for struggling franchises to improve. He said that cost can hamper teams for years, especially if they make a mistake on a pick or the player gets injured.
"The draft was designed to either allow the weakest teams, based on record, to choose the best players, or if they chose not to take a particular player, to gather a bunch of picks to further accelerate their growth and competitiveness," he said. "That's now been skewed by the cost of the picks in the first round.
"When that's skewed and changed because of the agents, that isn't a good thing for the game."
Polian said the system also makes it difficult for a team drafting early to acquire pieces to put around the high pick. He said making the right pick is possible, but difficult.
"What it can do, if you're fortunate enough to get a Peyton Manning, is it can change your franchise," he said. "It gives you a guy who can lead you to the promised land, can help you be a good team for a long time. If you miss on that pick, economics aside, you still set yourself back."
Polian said he expects the system to change eventually. He said the league could change the pay scale or create a slotting system like the NBA has, creating a fixed rate for draft positions.
But the current system, he feels, needs to be updated so the league can remain balanced.
"Our game is based on competitive balance and the fact that every year, every franchise believes they can win, unlike other sports. You can go from worst to first in a year.
"It's not about money, it's about the integrity of the game on the field."
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I absolutely agree with Polian and think a slotting system or fixed rates for draft positions would be a good move by the league. Once the rookie contract is played out, if deserving, then award the player with a huge contract. On the other hand, if a high draft pick turns out to be a bust or gets injured, then the organization doesn't get screwed for the next decade, in turn, as Polian points out, making for a more competitive and balanced league. |
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NC43Hog
Brown in the Hall
Joined: 26 Jul 2003
Posts: 4301
Location: Carolina Country
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:43 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for placing this in the appropriate forum and keeping it on topic. 
I also agree with the post. |
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brad7686
B-rad
Joined: 26 Nov 2006
Posts: 2991
Location: De La War
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 2:14 pm Post subject: |
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| It really is pretty ridiculous, especially if you consider what baseball players make in their first couple seasons. You should have to prove yourself on this level to get the big bucks. |
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yupchagee
#14
Joined: 19 Apr 2006
Posts: 4110
Location: Louisville KY
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 3:04 pm Post subject: Re: NFL Draft Needs Updating |
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| SkinsFreak wrote: | Since this article is about the draft, I thought I'd put it in this forum.
| Quote: | Colts president Polian says NFL draft needs updating
INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian isn't sure if having a top 10 draft pick would be worth it.
His Colts don't have a selection until late in the second round. He explained Sunday at the NFL Scouting Combine why his team might be better off that way.
Polian said good teams like the Colts are less likely than in the past to trade up for an early pick because of the required financial commitment. Last year's top pick, JaMarcus Russell, missed all of training camp in a contract dispute before getting $29 million in guarantees.
"Trades are a unique thing in the first round anymore because of the cost of the top 10 picks financially," he said. "To take on that cost ... is almost counterintuitive."
Polian said agents have driven up the cost of the early picks, making it more difficult than ever for struggling franchises to improve. He said that cost can hamper teams for years, especially if they make a mistake on a pick or the player gets injured.
"The draft was designed to either allow the weakest teams, based on record, to choose the best players, or if they chose not to take a particular player, to gather a bunch of picks to further accelerate their growth and competitiveness," he said. "That's now been skewed by the cost of the picks in the first round.
"When that's skewed and changed because of the agents, that isn't a good thing for the game."
Polian said the system also makes it difficult for a team drafting early to acquire pieces to put around the high pick. He said making the right pick is possible, but difficult.
"What it can do, if you're fortunate enough to get a Peyton Manning, is it can change your franchise," he said. "It gives you a guy who can lead you to the promised land, can help you be a good team for a long time. If you miss on that pick, economics aside, you still set yourself back."
Polian said he expects the system to change eventually. He said the league could change the pay scale or create a slotting system like the NBA has, creating a fixed rate for draft positions.
But the current system, he feels, needs to be updated so the league can remain balanced.
"Our game is based on competitive balance and the fact that every year, every franchise believes they can win, unlike other sports. You can go from worst to first in a year.
"It's not about money, it's about the integrity of the game on the field."
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I absolutely agree with Polian and think a slotting system or fixed rates for draft positions would be a good move by the league. Once the rookie contract is played out, if deserving, then award the player with a huge contract. On the other hand, if a high draft pick turns out to be a bust or gets injured, then the organization doesn't get screwed for the next decade, in turn, as Polian points out, making for a more competitive and balanced league. |
Owner & GM's want to be protected from themselves. I believe in free markets. I'm opposed to the draft for this reason. |
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GSPODS
Hog
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Posts: 4983
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 3:11 pm Post subject: |
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The one glaring fact recurring in my mind is that Bill Pollian's team doesn't need any first round draft picks.
While he may very well have a valid point about the salaries paid to unproven rookies, who raised the salaries to their current levels? It might have been the Owners who have been paying those exhorbitant salaries. If the owners had refused at any time to pay such high salaries, including signing bonuses, and had only offered incentive-based contracts to draft selections, the salaries would be under control.
The salaries were also more under control prior to the CBA.
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SkinsJock
08 Champ
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
Posts: 11516
Location: New England
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:27 pm Post subject: |
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| I think a lot of the issues with these escalating salaries can be attributed to both the teams and the agents - these agents are really aggressive and in all honesty seem to be more interested in getting the player the money they feel they "deserve" - in most cases, IMO, at the risk of what might be best for the player and their teams. |
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SkinsFreak
Fire in the Sky
Joined: 27 Dec 2005
Posts: 4884
Location: Surfside
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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| SkinsJock wrote: | | I think a lot of the issues with these escalating salaries can be attributed to both the teams and the agents - these agents are really aggressive and in all honesty seem to be more interested in getting the player the money they feel they "deserve" - in most cases, IMO, at the risk of what might be best for the player and their teams. |
I agree, SkinsJock. I have no problem with agents acting aggressively to get "free agents" paid. But draft choices? That's a different ballgame. As Polian said, it's not about the money but about the integrity of the game on the field.
JaMarcus Russell sat out for months and finally got a $68 million contract with $32 million guaranteed. How many snaps did he take last year??? Many are projecting him to be one of the decades biggest busts. Now, it's the Raiders and Al Davis, so I don't really care what happens to them. But if Russell does, in fact, turn out to be a bust, that contract will cripple them for years. The Raiders will struggle to become competitive for a long time, something the draft was intended to due, make the league competitive. |
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yupchagee
#14
Joined: 19 Apr 2006
Posts: 4110
Location: Louisville KY
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:30 pm Post subject: |
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| SkinsFreak wrote: | | SkinsJock wrote: | | I think a lot of the issues with these escalating salaries can be attributed to both the teams and the agents - these agents are really aggressive and in all honesty seem to be more interested in getting the player the money they feel they "deserve" - in most cases, IMO, at the risk of what might be best for the player and their teams. |
I agree, SkinsJock. I have no problem with agents acting aggressively to get "free agents" paid. But draft choices? That's a different ballgame. As Polian said, it's not about the money but about the integrity of the game on the field.
JaMarcus Russell sat out for months and finally got a $68 million contract with $32 million guaranteed. How many snaps did he take last year??? Many are projecting him to be one of the decades biggest busts. Now, it's the Raiders and Al Davis, so I don't really care what happens to them. But if Russell does, in fact, turn out to be a bust, that contract will cripple them for years. The Raiders will struggle to become competitive for a long time, something the draft was intended to due, make the league competitive. |
I don't believe Polian. It's about the money. |
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VetSkinsFan
One Step Away
Joined: 19 Jul 2007
Posts: 7779
Location: NoVA
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| Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:05 am Post subject: |
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| SkinsFreak wrote: | | SkinsJock wrote: | | I think a lot of the issues with these escalating salaries can be attributed to both the teams and the agents - these agents are really aggressive and in all honesty seem to be more interested in getting the player the money they feel they "deserve" - in most cases, IMO, at the risk of what might be best for the player and their teams. |
I agree, SkinsJock. I have no problem with agents acting aggressively to get "free agents" paid. But draft choices? That's a different ballgame. As Polian said, it's not about the money but about the integrity of the game on the field.
JaMarcus Russell sat out for months and finally got a $68 million contract with $32 million guaranteed. How many snaps did he take last year??? Many are projecting him to be one of the decades biggest busts. Now, it's the Raiders and Al Davis, so I don't really care what happens to them. But if Russell does, in fact, turn out to be a bust, that contract will cripple them for years. The Raiders will struggle to become competitive for a long time, something the draft was intended to due, make the league competitive. |
I don't think it can be put any better than this. |
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frankcal20
^^^^^^^
Joined: 24 Mar 2004
Posts: 8965
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| Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:33 am Post subject: |
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I would like guys to work for their contracts. One tactic I use every year in NFL Fantasy Football is look for guys who are in a contract year. Some how they always seem to get more production. Look around the league at the # of yards, TD's, receptions, etc that guys pick up on their contract years.
Now for early draft pick rookies, why would they be inspired to come out and play their butts off. They just got handed over the mother load. We all know that 80% of the top 10 will start if not more. So they are going to protect themselves.
In our workplace, we don't get handed top money when we start. Its all performance based.
As for Agents, I don't see them taking advantage of a market that is WILLING to bear a certain price. All of us would offer more and take more. Agents get an average of 3% of the contract price as commission so every dollar counts. Not to mention the fact that they have a fiduciary obligation to represent their clients interest whole hardily not protect the integrity of the game. |
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SkinsFreak
Fire in the Sky
Joined: 27 Dec 2005
Posts: 4884
Location: Surfside
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