Colts president Polian says NFL draft needs updating - Page 2

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."

el borracho · 02-28-2008, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

focus man ..... focus

he's talking about the price of the high picks going up so far that it hurts the team almost as much as helps. A "miss" on a high pick just kills a team.

he's right

I understand the point of the article. It is a legitimate point which is why it is not necessary to exaggerate or say things like, "top ten picks- who needs those?" What would his team be without top ten pick, Peyton Manning?

**Bugeater** · 02-28-2008, 01:21 PM

This is something that has bothered me for a long time, but as usual I don't see anything changing. There's way too much money involved.

Easy Money · 02-28-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

The number one picks shouldn't be making more than the superstars already in the NFL.

Name 10 superstar qbs. I can't believe I actually agree with Shitlock that rookies shouldn't get paid as much until they actually play, then pay them as such.

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.

**DaneMcCloud** · 02-28-2008, 01:31 PM

NBA style slotting would be a very welcome change to the NFL. Not only would there be more trades in the draft (making the better players even more valuable) but even more "superstar" players would stay with their respective teams throughout their career due a higher allocation of money to veterans.

I hope the next CBA includes slotting. I think it would make the game even more competitive.

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

Brock · 02-28-2008, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

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

Who says the owner would spend that money? The veterans wouldn't make any more money, IMO.

Mr. Laz · 02-28-2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Who says the owner would spend that money? The veterans wouldn't make any more money, IMO.

now your just grabbing at straws

if the owners aren't gonna spend then they aren't gonna spend. Having Draft slotting isn't gonna change that.

Besides the NFL already has a salary FLOOR to go with their salary CAP.

Every team must spend a minimum of 75% of the current salary cap.

Brock · 02-28-2008, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

now your just grabbing at straws

if the owners aren't gonna spend then they aren't gonna spend. Having Draft slotting isn't gonna change that.

Besides the NFL already has a salary FLOOR to go with their salary CAP.

Every team must spend a minimum of 75% of the current salary cap.

I'm not grabbing at anything. I'm just pointing out that no union anywhere is going to "trust management" and approve singling out members and limiting their income, not to the extent that this article is talking about. The union is paid because its members are paid.

Mr. Laz · 02-28-2008, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

I'm not grabbing at anything. I'm just pointing out that no union anywhere is going to "trust management" and approve singling out members and limiting their income, not to the extent that this article is talking about. The union is paid because its members are paid.

probably right .... but that just shows how short-sighted many of these so-called unions are these days.

they shouldn't even be called unions imo

during the last CBA the NFL players union wanted a higher % of the total income. So they negotiated and extra 2% of the pie in exchange for taking over the retirement and disability funds for it's own members. Then it promptly starting blaming the Owners for the condition of retirement and disability that IT was in charge of.

right now the veteran are made because rookies are making too much money and getting many veterans CUT. But they don't have the brains to go to slotting so that veterans would get paid more. They will still blame the owners for their own stupidity.

stop blaming the owners and start using their brains

Chiefmanwillcatch · 02-28-2008, 01:53 PM

Glad he said it.

I WANT A ROOKIE CAP !!!

BigChiefFan · 02-28-2008, 02:00 PM

I agree with what he is saying, BUT the best COSTS MORE money. It's the old law of supply and demand. I'd like to see it brought in to more realistic numbers for rookies, but...

Mr. Laz · 02-28-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

I agree with what he is saying, BUT the best COSTS MORE money. It's the old law of supply and demand. I'd like to see it brought in to more realistic numbers for rookies, but...

fine .... then the veteran players can just

because they have chosen to differ to the rookies.

BigChiefFan · 02-28-2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

fine .... then the veteran players can just

because they have chosen to differ to the rookies.

It's a double-edged sword. They ALL want to be paid. I'm sure they'll get it sorted out.

Chiefmanwillcatch · 02-28-2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

I agree with what he is saying, BUT the best COSTS MORE money. It's the old law of supply and demand. I'd like to see it brought in to more realistic numbers for rookies, but...

There is nothing guaranteed except these guys getting their big bonuses for doing nothing.

Half of these players will never live up to their slotting.

And why do these guys think that they should get any big bonus from where their picked? It's still all a guessing game until they prove themselves.

We need a proving time period to test these guys. Answer = rookie cap with NO F%$# Bonuses. You get no damn bonus rookie until you help the team.

02-28-2008, 11:54 AM
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, 01:21 PM	#17
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $3992680	This is something that has bothered me for a long time, but as usual I don't see anything changing. There's way too much money involved.
Posts: 70,546

02-28-2008, 01:31 PM	#20
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	NBA style slotting would be a very welcome change to the NFL. Not only would there be more trades in the draft (making the better players even more valuable) but even more "superstar" players would stay with their respective teams throughout their career due a higher allocation of money to veterans. I hope the next CBA includes slotting. I think it would make the game even more competitive.
Posts: 88,960

02-28-2008, 01:53 PM	#26
Chiefmanwillcatch Banned Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: KC Casino cash: $10004900	Glad he said it. I WANT A ROOKIE CAP !!!
Posts: 1,145

02-28-2008, 02:00 PM	#27
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	I agree with what he is saying, BUT the best COSTS MORE money. It's the old law of supply and demand. I'd like to see it brought in to more realistic numbers for rookies, but... __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
Posts: 15,777