Colts president Polian says NFL draft needs updating

Marco Polo · 02-28-2008, 11:54 AM

Good read, I thought:

http://www.nfl.com/combine/story?id=...o&confirm=true

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."

Brock · 02-28-2008, 11:57 AM

"It's not about the money"

Silock · 02-28-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

"It's not about the money"

Well, it is about the money, but he's actually arguing *for* parity and the crappy teams. Limiting the money paid out to 1st rounders, particularly top 10 guys, would be AWESOME.

Vegas_Dave · 02-28-2008, 12:08 PM

I kindof agree with him on this. I cant believe how much the top picks are "Guaranteed" without yet playing a single snap, having a single practice...

Its gambling.

OK, back to the Texas Hold'em table for me...

JimNasium · 02-28-2008, 12:23 PM

Slotting is the one thing that the NBA does that is superior to the NFL's draft. I would love to see that approach but don't think the player's union will go for it.

Brock · 02-28-2008, 12:34 PM

The NFLPA will never agree to that. Why should they?

Uncle_Ted · 02-28-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

The NFLPA will never agree to that. Why should they?

The agents would definitely oppose it. The Player's Association shouldn't oppose it (though they probably will) if the slotting system is "salary neutral" -- raising the minimum salary and the spending floors to ensure that the same amount of $$ is going to players, just spread out a little more evenly.

Mr. Laz · 02-28-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

The NFLPA will never agree to that. Why should they?

uh ... maybe because if they slot the draft picks then the salaries of the veteran players will go up dramatically.

it's not about the players getting less, it's about the money that the players get being distributed differently.

scooter · 02-28-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

The NFLPA will never agree to that. Why should they?

This decision wouldn't affect existing NFL players negatively though, would it? In fact, limiting the $$ doled out to unproven rookies would create more available for players already on the team.

Whitlock makes a suggestion in his article up on Fox Sports about limiting rookie salaries to 2 years and maximum of $10 million or some such thing.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7850370?MSNHPHMA

Brock · 02-28-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter

This decision wouldn't affect existing NFL players negatively though, would it? In fact, limiting the $$ doled out to unproven rookies would create more available for players already on the team.

The high pay to a high draft pick just gives established superstars more justification for more money. None of the players are going to support owners keeping even more money.

Mr. Laz · 02-28-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

The high pay to a high draft pick just gives established superstars more justification for more money. None of the players are going to support owners keeping even more money.

but that's just it ..... the owners wouldn't be keeping ANY more money.

the salary cap would stay the same

veteran players get more money
rookies get less money

**Rausch** · 02-28-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

The high pay to a high draft pick just gives established superstars more justification for more money. None of the players are going to support owners keeping even more money.

Less money to unproven rooks is more money to proven vets...

**The Franchise** · 02-28-2008, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter

This decision wouldn't affect existing NFL players negatively though, would it? In fact, limiting the $$ doled out to unproven rookies would create more available for players already on the team.

Whitlock makes a suggestion in his article up on Fox Sports about limiting rookie salaries to 2 years and maximum of $10 million or some such thing.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7850370?MSNHPHMA

The only problem with going 2 years and a maximum of $10 million dollars is that the players drafted in the 1st round will more than likely leave the team that drafted them because they suck.

Valiant · 02-28-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter

This decision wouldn't affect existing NFL players negatively though, would it? In fact, limiting the $$ doled out to unproven rookies would create more available for players already on the team.

Whitlock makes a suggestion in his article up on Fox Sports about limiting rookie salaries to 2 years and maximum of $10 million or some such thing.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7850370?MSNHPHMA

Gosh, that would force teams to actually play their draft picks instead of sit on them for years to see if they got any talent for their team or not..

donkhater · 02-28-2008, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

The NFLPA will never agree to that. Why should they?

At face value one would think that, but think about it this way:

The NFL has a salary cap that nearly every team fills every year. What difference should it make to an agent if he is getting a $2 million commission from a rookie or five $400,000 commissions from veterans? It's the same money pool either way. So in a way, Polian is right. It's not about the money.

02-28-2008, 11:54 AM	Topic Starter
Marco Polo Veteran Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: 41°59.4′N 87°39.6'W Casino cash: $3938908	Colts president Polian says NFL draft needs updating Good read, I thought: http://www.nfl.com/combine/story?id=...o&confirm=true 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."
Posts: 2,540

02-28-2008, 11:57 AM	#2
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	"It's not about the money"
Posts: 47,314

02-28-2008, 12:08 PM	#4
Vegas_Dave Veteran Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NV Casino cash: $-1575280	I kindof agree with him on this. I cant believe how much the top picks are "Guaranteed" without yet playing a single snap, having a single practice... Its gambling. OK, back to the Texas Hold'em table for me... __________________ Lastly, Redrum_69:
Posts: 1,879

02-28-2008, 12:23 PM	#5
JimNasium Voodoo Chile Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: At the crossroad Casino cash: $-953143	Slotting is the one thing that the NBA does that is superior to the NFL's draft. I would love to see that approach but don't think the player's union will go for it.
Posts: 7,139

02-28-2008, 12:34 PM	#6
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	The NFLPA will never agree to that. Why should they?
Posts: 47,314