Sunday, May 04, 2008
Sports

Dodgy draft

What’s wrong with a salary cap for NFL rookies?

CREDIT: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
 Quarterback Matt Ryan walks off the stage after being selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2008 NFL Draft on April 26.
By Chris Renaldo

I know the NFL is in the entertainment business, not the “football” business. This poorly kept secret is no more evident than in the NFL Draft (with a capital D). What was once a low-key job fair for jocks, occurring in relative anonymity for one weekend in March, followed by another weekend a month or so later; has become a 24/7, three-month orgy of media and jock-sniff speculation. So while I give the NFL branding and marketing folks an A+, I think the compensation department needs a little housecleaning.

I think there is a wonderful irony in the fact that NFL owners have hedged their collective draft day bets to the point where no matter how much bonus money is poured down the drain on the likes of Ryan Leaf, Tony Mandarich, Blair Thomas, Aundray Bruce or Bruce Pickens, the losses will be offset by all the revenue generated by the 90-day long dog and pony show that is the Draft.

Will Matt Ryan’s career path follow that of Leaf’s or Peyton Manning’s? I guess it doesn’t really matter to anyone but Arthur Blank. I never understood fantasy football, but maybe I understand the “fantasy GM” game. This is because when I’m not “spitballing” column ideas at the Standard, I’m an I.T. recruiter, and as a headhunter, I believe demonstrated performance, not potential performance, should drive compensation. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with getting paid. I’d just like to see players make their bones before they make their first (30) million.

For example: The Miami Dolphins just paid offensive tackle Jake Long about $37 million. Long was the first player selected in the draft, and will likely have a wonderful NFL career, but he’s no Jason Peters. Peters was one of four offensive tackles to be selected (by his peers) to play in the 2008 Pro Bowl. He’s a five year NFL veteran who came to Buffalo as an undrafted free agent in 2004. In short, he’s already had a wonderful NFL career.

Again, no disrespect to Long (or his agent), but when a five-year veteran earns $500,000 in the year he is selected to play in the Pro Bowl, while an unproven rookie who “tested well at the combine” earns $37 million before he ever suits up at the NFL level, you tell me whether “performance” or “potential” is driving this bus.

What’s wrong with a salary cap for rookies? What’s wrong with a uniform base salary for all first-year players—and a graduated bonus structure based on where a player is selected in the draft? After maybe two years in the league, the player can test the waters of free agency (or his current team can lock him into a long-term deal). I don’t mind seeing a player get $37 million.  I’d just like to see “players” get the money, as opposed to “draft choices.” SP

Pay Me Later

NBA newbies have to earn that big contract

While Falcons owner Arthur Blank contemplates how deep he’s going to have to reach into his pockets to pay a quarterback who hasn’t even taken a snap as a professional, another Atlantan last week came big time with a pair of monster playoff efforts. And Josh Smith has a very large payday coming his way because it. Like possibly 70 million or so large.

“Oh, after those games [home playoff wins over Boston], he’s getting max dollar,’’ CGL Sports agent Scott Alexander tells The Sunday Paper. Smith, who has improved each of his four seasons in the league, is coming off his most consistent regular season, in which he averaged 17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.8 blocks and 1.5 steals in playing 35.5 minutes per game. Oh, and don’t forget all those highlight-reel dunks, too.

Because he’s bound for the NFL, the Falcons’ top pick, Matt Ryan, will be getting his big money up front. And because he’s in the NBA, Smith was forced to wait and play through four seasons to reach his big contract. Unlike their pro football counterparts, the NBA controls rookie salaries for at least three seasons, giving teams ample time to consider a decision on a big deal. For example, last year’s top pick, Greg Oden of Portland, was signed to a three-year, $12.5 million deal.

Last year’s top NFL pick, JaMarcus Russell of Oakland, missed preseason camp in a holdout before signing a six-year, $61 million deal, $29 million which was guaranteed. Out of shape and behind in learning the Raiders’ system, Russell completed just 36 passes in four games.

At last month’s NFL Draft, league commissioner Roger Goodell indicated that it was essential for owners to bring up the rookie salary cap issue with the player’s union. It won’t be popular idea, and it wasn’t in the NBA either, but commissioner David Stern got that problem fixed. The final straw in Stern’s league came with the 1994 rumor that top pick Glenn Robinson was going to hold out for $100 million. After he eventually signed a 10-year, $68 million contract, the rookie salary scale was in place the next season.

“It’s been good for the league,’’ says Alexander, who represents Wilson Chandler of the Knicks and former Florida standout Anthony Roberson, among others. “It’s bad for agents, but for the best interest for the game of basketball, it’s been a good rule.’’

The Atlanta Spirit LLC, owners of the Hawks, gambled and resisted re-signing Smith prior to this season. The College Park native, fan favorite and possible cornerstone to the franchise was the No. 17 pick in the 2004 draft, and has since been recognized as one the top five players from that year’s crop. And while Smith has his critics for various reasons (bad outside shooter, suspect defense despite the block totals, etc.), his upside is far too high. Someone’s going to pay Smith big this summer, whether it’s the Hawks or someone else. And in comparison to what these top football picks are paid while having never played a professional down, it’s about time.—Hunt Archbold