Football Looks like Tony Gonzalez is for a Rookie Pay Cap

Mr. Laz · 04-23-2011, 10:35 AM

Tony Gonzalez calls current rookie pay scale “absolutely ridiculous”

Posted by Michael David Smith on April 23, 2011, 12:17 PM EDT

As an 11-time Pro Bowler, Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez has made a lot of money in his NFL career. But he’s never signed a contract as lucrative as the one Sam Bradford signed as the first overall pick in last year’s draft, before he had ever played a down in the NFL. And Gonzalez says it’s past time for that to change.
“For a rookie to come in and make $60-70 million guaranteed, I say — and everybody can agree with that — is absolutely ridiculous,” Gonzalez said on Sports Talk Radio 610 in Houston, via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “They have not played a down on that field. You might as well take that money and give that to the veterans and maybe that solves some type of problem where we do give back a little bit to the ownership.”
Gonzalez says everyone can agree that it’s time for a rookie wage scale, and yet so far the owners and and the players haven’t implemented such a system. The NFL has reportedly proposed diverting $300 million from rookie pay into veteran pay, but we won’t know until the lockout ends whether such a system will be implemented.
“I don’t know what’s going on with these negotiations,” Gonzalez said. “Maybe it has been bought up. Maybe they can’t do it for whatever reason, but it seems like the common-sense answer right there.”
Gonzalez is right: The common-sense answer is for players to earn their pay, and for proven veterans to make more money than unproven rookies. If the owners and the players can’t come up with a way to reign in spending on rookies and use the savings to reward veterans, it would be absolutely ridiculous.

Mr. Laz · 04-23-2011, 10:37 AM

somewhere Brock and Passin By are sharing a warm embrace, silent tears rolling down their faces.

**BossChief** · 04-23-2011, 10:39 AM

IMO all they needed to change was the rookie pay scale.

Thats it.

The overall competitiveness of the NFL is better than it has has ever been.

**Bowser** · 04-23-2011, 10:39 AM

It really is ridiculous, but there is no way Tony (or any other player ever, for that matter) would turn down what Bradford got last year. So I guess it's a bit hypocritical for him to say that, even if it is true.

Chiefnj2 · 04-23-2011, 10:40 AM

Did Gonzo think he was overpaid when KC took him the first many years ago?

**BossChief** · 04-23-2011, 10:51 AM

Here's part of what I really don't understand about this specific issue...

To my knowledge, there isn't anything in the rules that says the owners/gms have to pay what they do to rookie draft picks.

Its their choice (and pressure from agents of said players) to pay what they do, not by rule.

The owners could have changed this aspect themselves, couldn't they?

allen_kcCard · 04-23-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Here's part of what I really don't understand about this specific issue...

To my knowledge, there isn't anything in the rules that says the owners/gms have to pay what they do to rookie draft picks.

Its their choice (and pressure from agents of said players) to pay what they do, not by rule.

The owners could have changed this aspect themselves, couldn't they?

All it takes is on owner to pay more than all the rest of them, and then people refuse to sign, at the threat of somehow ending their time spoken for from the draft to sign with that owner that will pay far far more. The owners can't come up with a gentleman's agreement and set thier own cap, or they would be sued for collusion. It needs to be in the CBA for it to happen.

Mr. Laz · 04-23-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Here's part of what I really don't understand about this specific issue...

To my knowledge, there isn't anything in the rules that says the owners/gms have to pay what they do to rookie draft picks.

Its their choice (and pressure from agents of said players) to pay what they do, not by rule.

The owners could have changed this aspect themselves, couldn't they?

and when they didn't pay and the rookie didn't sign then people would be bitching and calling the owners cheap?

it needs to be organized for it to stick

Just Passin' By · 04-23-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

somewhere Brock and Passin By are sharing a warm embrace, silent tears rolling down their faces.

You really are an idiot.

**BigMeatballDave** · 04-23-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

and when they didn't pay and the rookie didn't sign then people would be bitching and calling the owners cheap?

it needs to be organized for it to stick

Yeah. Also, the owners cant just say their not gonna pay rookies like this anymore. That's collusion.

Marcellus · 04-23-2011, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Here's part of what I really don't understand about this specific issue...

To my knowledge, there isn't anything in the rules that says the owners/gms have to pay what they do to rookie draft picks.

Its their choice (and pressure from agents of said players) to pay what they do, not by rule.

The owners could have changed this aspect themselves, couldn't they?

Then you are pretty ****ing naive.

Just Passin' By · 04-23-2011, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Here's part of what I really don't understand about this specific issue...

To my knowledge, there isn't anything in the rules that says the owners/gms have to pay what they do to rookie draft picks.

Its their choice (and pressure from agents of said players) to pay what they do, not by rule.

The owners could have changed this aspect themselves, couldn't they?

Quote:

Each year, as mandated by the CBA, the league-wide salary cap rises in accordance with increases in league revenues. The Rookie Cap rises in tandem, keeping rookie salaries from rising more quickly than their veteran peers. Created by the NFL Management Council, the formula of exactly how each team's Rookie Cap number is determined is unknown. However, it is based on the number and round of each franchise's draft selections. Article XVII of the amended 2006 CBA states: "The list of each Formula Allotment attributed to each draft selection shall be agreed to by the NFL and the NFLPA, and shall not be disclosed to Clubs, Players, Player Agents or the public."

http://www.thesportjournal.org/artic...uarded-secrets

Mr. Laz · 04-23-2011, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

You really are an idiot.

why because a month ago you idiots were demanding links and proof that the rookie cap wasn't a dirty trick by the owners?

Virtually ever NFL CBA thread made you been in acting like a know-it-all prick and anyone that disagreed was an idiot.

Just Passin' By · 04-23-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

why because a month ago you idiots were demanding links and proof that the rookie cap wasn't a dirty trick by the owners?

Virtually ever NFL CBA thread made you been in acting like a know-it-all prick and anyone that disagreed was an idiot.

Quote:

First, just to lay it out there as a reminder: There's already a rookie cap, although it's obviously flawed....

...The root problem isn't high salaries at the top. The root problem is shitty drafting at the top (there is the occasional terrible draft at the top which requires paying lesser players at the rates of the current rookie cap, but that'll be there no matter what salary structure is in place). It's not that the salaries couldn't stand being adjusted, but it's been given far more weight and attention than it merits.

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showt...ie#post7461414

As I said, you're an idiot. Hell, I probably owe idiots an apology for including you among them.

04-23-2011, 10:35 AM
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	Looks like Tony Gonzalez is for a Rookie Pay Cap Tony Gonzalez calls current rookie pay scale “absolutely ridiculous” Posted by Michael David Smith on April 23, 2011, 12:17 PM EDT As an 11-time Pro Bowler, Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez has made a lot of money in his NFL career. But he’s never signed a contract as lucrative as the one Sam Bradford signed as the first overall pick in last year’s draft, before he had ever played a down in the NFL. And Gonzalez says it’s past time for that to change. “For a rookie to come in and make $60-70 million guaranteed, I say — and everybody can agree with that — is absolutely ridiculous,” Gonzalez said on Sports Talk Radio 610 in Houston, via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “They have not played a down on that field. You might as well take that money and give that to the veterans and maybe that solves some type of problem where we do give back a little bit to the ownership.” Gonzalez says everyone can agree that it’s time for a rookie wage scale, and yet so far the owners and and the players haven’t implemented such a system. The NFL has reportedly proposed diverting $300 million from rookie pay into veteran pay, but we won’t know until the lockout ends whether such a system will be implemented. “I don’t know what’s going on with these negotiations,” Gonzalez said. “Maybe it has been bought up. Maybe they can’t do it for whatever reason, but it seems like the common-sense answer right there.” Gonzalez is right: The common-sense answer is for players to earn their pay, and for proven veterans to make more money than unproven rookies. If the owners and the players can’t come up with a way to reign in spending on rookies and use the savings to reward veterans, it would be absolutely ridiculous.
Posts: 95,626

04-23-2011, 10:37 AM	#2
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	somewhere Brock and Passin By are sharing a warm embrace, silent tears rolling down their faces. __________________
Posts: 95,626

04-23-2011, 10:39 AM	#3
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1504088	IMO all they needed to change was the rookie pay scale. Thats it. The overall competitiveness of the NFL is better than it has has ever been. __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,178

04-23-2011, 10:39 AM	#4
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3091616	It really is ridiculous, but there is no way Tony (or any other player ever, for that matter) would turn down what Bradford got last year. So I guess it's a bit hypocritical for him to say that, even if it is true.
Posts: 101,188

04-23-2011, 10:40 AM	#5
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $7813688	Did Gonzo think he was overpaid when KC took him the first many years ago? __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
Posts: 22,396

04-23-2011, 10:51 AM	#6
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1504088	Here's part of what I really don't understand about this specific issue... To my knowledge, there isn't anything in the rules that says the owners/gms have to pay what they do to rookie draft picks. Its their choice (and pressure from agents of said players) to pay what they do, not by rule. The owners could have changed this aspect themselves, couldn't they? __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,178