Wednesday Morning Cup O’Chiefs
I’ve got a note sitting on my desk reminding me to write something about the NFL’s need for a rookie pay scale.
I wrote the note to myself about two weeks ago and there are little notations on the paper about arguments for the idea that rookies shouldn’t be able to come in and push the NFL pay scale higher without having played a down.
Yes, I was going to be all indignant and push for those dollars to go to the veteran players in the league.
Then the Detroit Lions went out and caved in on contract negotiations with No. 1 draft choice Matt Stafford.
Tom Condon proved once again that he’s just about the best agent that ever came down the pike. At a time and economy where it seemed improbable, no make that impossible for the price of the first draft pick to increase, Condon got the Detroit Lions to pay Stafford $72 million over six years. But the key number is $41.7 million in guaranteed money.
Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL owners want a rookie-salary scale, but when it came time for them to put the brakes on that first-round money, the Lions stepped on the gas instead. How they let that happen is beyond understanding and eliminates any sympathy I have for teams who have to pay the big money at the top of the draft.
The Lions had all the leverage in this deal. Reportedly they already had a contract worked out with Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry for something less than what No. 1 choice Jake Long got last year from Miami ($30 million in guaranteed dollars.) Curry even said publicly he would take less if he were the first choice by the Lions.
Coming off a 0-16 season it’s not like Detroit is a quarterback away from the playoffs. They need help at every position on the field. Sure Stafford’s got potential, but there were other quarterbacks in the draft and there will be better prospects next year, maybe the year after. Stafford was not that once in a lifetime quarterback, if there really is such an animal.
If Detroit was thinking clearly, they would have realized being the first pick was more important to Stafford and Condon. There’s status that comes with being the first name, and that kind of status helps Stafford succeed in off-the-field areas and juices Condon’s reputation for potential clients next year.
The Lions should have taken the guaranteed money that QB Matt Ryan signed for last year as the third pick ($34.75 million), added five percent (about $1.75 million) and made that their offer, take it or leave it.
Would that have gotten Stafford signed and drafted No. 1? We will never know. Somehow the Lions got themselves into a position where they had to have Stafford and they paid accordingly, and pushed the numbers for rookie draft picks even higher.
Listen, it doesn’t make sense that guys who have never taken a snap in the league are signing deals that guarantee them nearly $42 million dollars. Potential should not translate into dollars; production should be the currency when it comes to payday in football.
But it’s impossible to feel sorry for the NFL when the owners are out there creating their own problem.
The owners need a rookie salary scale to save themselves from themselves.
PLEASE … SOMEBODY STOP THEM BEFORE THE MAKE THE DRAFT A 3-DAY EVENT
Some 39 million people watched the 2009 NFL Draft. The current estimates are that we now have 305 million people in this country. That means better than 10 percent of all the people in the United States of America watched at least part of the draft on Saturday and Sunday.
Not surprisingly, now the NFL wants to give us more draft.
Not more rounds, but more days. The Commish is talking about turning the annual selection meeting into a three-day affair.
Oh please tell me it’s not true.
Why would the league want to do this? The same reason they want to have 18 regular-season games: money and attention. They want to have the first round on Thursday night, then the second and third rounds on Friday night and then the final four rounds on Saturday.
They want to put the draft into prime-time TV.
“It’s kids realizing their own dream,” Goodell told the Dallas Morning News. “People are so infatuated with the reality aspect of it. Are their teams going to improve? Should they get a quarterback? Should they trade up? It combines so many great elements that people love to talk about.”
Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, The Bachelor and soon, coming to a network near you, the new reality series that’s taking over America, the NFL Draft.
SIGNINGS & MOVEMENT AROUND THE NFL
BENGALS – released P Kyle Larson, P Ryan Plackemeier, DE Eric Henderson, RB Gary Russell, S Mike Doss and TE Nate Lawrie.
BRONCOS – signed LB Nick Greisen (Ravens).
CARDINALS - released RB Edgerrin James, CB Rod Hood and DE Travis LaBoy.
CHARGERS – franchise player RB Darren Sproles signs his tender offer for $6.621 million.
FALCONS – released DE Simon Fraser, DT Kindal Moorehead, DB Darius Vinnett and OL Nathan Bennett.
JETS - released P Reggie Hodges and RB Marcus Mason.
LIONS – claimed on waivers T Kirk Barton (Bengals).
SAINTS – released DT Brian Young.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …
Born on April 29, 1970 in Los Angeles was CB Mark McMillian. Known as “Mighty Mouse” for his 5-7 frame, McMillian played two seasons with the Chiefs (1997-98), appearing in 32 games with 12 starts. He had 11 interceptions and returned three for TDs in the ‘97 season.
Born on April 29, 1948 in Celina, Ohio was FB Jim Otis (left). He spent two seasons with the Chiefs (1971-72), appearing in 23 games. He ran 78 times for 276 yards and caught 25 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
You hate to say a person should not be limited by a glass ceiling but that said why the union would not force the NFL to have a draft salary cap tied to a mandatory minimum total salary by each team makes no sense. All that would be tied to a salary cap to protect the NFL from itself. Probably to simplistic with Dallas and Washington, but might keep a team like our from having tons of unspent salary cap money and a poor team.
Dear Bob,
I noticed something unusual about the Chiefs draft. 44 players were selected that were NOT chosen for the combine. The Chiefs had over 10% of the non-combine invitees (5 of 8).
My comment about the Chiefs draft is they had players they reached too much for-Brown and trading for O’Connell specifically.
Edgerrin James could be a good pick up for us…for the right price. He’s certainly not worth what he once was, but could be good as a “role” player. It would give us some depth at RB, from a proven player. And unlike LJ, he can catch a pass.
Just a thought.
Message to Roger Goddel.
Leave The Draft Alone- I liked that a 2 years ago you decided to change the format from 15min/pick in round 10/pick. And from 10/pick in Round 2 to 5/pick any round beyond Rd 1. But this idea that it needed to be commercialized and start at 4 Est is insane. Now you want to make it a 3 day event. Why?
This seems to happen all the time in business. A company will have a product that sells well to a select group of people in the public. So some where in the deep dark cavities of their brain they begin to think…”What can we do to market this to everyone else.” Guess what? Most of the general public isn’t interested in the draft, just a few of us geeks. So when you do make changes, like a 3 day NFL Draft, you are just inconviencing the loyal customers you had and making it harder for them to view your product.
Bob,
I was rough on you yesterday, but when you write articles of this quality, you totally redeem yourself in my eyes. I couldn’t agree more about the league needing to get these rookie contracts under control. I’m wondering if perhaps the Chiefs drafted Jackson because they are close to agreeing with him on a reasonable deal. Also, KC, or any team in the top 10 for that matter, should be able to help themselves by trading down if they want to. With this ridiculous salary structure in place right now, having a top 10 pick is a burden to the already bad teams and it shouldn’t be.
CARDINALS ““ released RB Edgerrin James, CB Rod Hood and DE Travis LaBoy. We should probably take a moment to commit these names to memory. Scott already points out that James could be a good signing, especially if we find a way to trade LJ. The name I’ll be watching closely is Travis LaBoy. Not sure why the Cards cut him, but he has proven to be a solid situational pass rusher and his effort stands out on film. The Chiefs never addressed their pass rusher need in the draft so maybe this is the guy they bring in?
Finally, nice point Vincent about the Chiefs taking 5 non-combine invites out of 8 picks. I know combine invites aren’t everything, but that figure is a bit embarrassing. Hopefully Pioli proves smarter than us, and the people who send out the combine invites.
On the matter of a rookie salary cap, the NFLPA union has only themselves to blame. The veteran players have the most significant voice with their own union so why isn’t the pressure to get the huge signing bonus money away from the rooks and trickle down to the vets?
The pressure for having this happen could well be one of the sticking points during the next CBA negotiations and, interestingly enough, come from the player’s union and not the owners. It makes you wonder which side is running the true hidden agenda?
As to creating additional revenue streams such as a 3 day draft, I say, fine. 18 game regular season? Again, fine. Why?
I see an ugly storm out there on the horizon where we could be looking a PPV tax for watching NFL games on TV, above and beyond the advertiser revenue streams already in place, & beyond the ‘Sunday Ticket’ fees collected from Directv. Call it a PSL for viewers and it wouldn’t surprise me to see it rear its ugly head in sync with the CBA negotiations next year.
Travis LaBoy is a keeper. James is done
Vincent, interesting, add firing scouting dept and recent comment about signability (less costly?). If the scouts were not acceptable where did they get the due dilligence to pick these guys? You have to wonder just what is going on. Pioli/Haley want their own team but it was an odd start in a first draft.
I dont really mind a three day draft. I work on saturdays, so I would be able to watch it anyway. but I hate that it is newyork every year. Give someone else a chance to host the draft. first pick team or team that won or lost the superbowl. I dont care, I am sick of the jets fans.
kcfaninaz says:
“Travis LaBoy is a keeper. James is done”
What makes you think Edge is “done”? He barely played last year (benched for 7 games)…so he should be good and fresh. And he rushed for over 1000 yards the two years before that. I wouldn’t expect him to be an every down back like he once was…but I think he’s still got some gas in the tank. I’d take him.
I believe rookies should be under team control for 4 years with some sort of arbitration system to determine their salary each year. Something like baseball but more aggressive in the pay increases for good performance. After 4 years they are a free agent and able to negotiate freely (if they’re team didn’t already sign them long term).
I think this could make everyone happy and put the money in the hands of the people who earned it.
If they switch the draft to three days then I think they should add another round to it. I know I know, it’s plenty long as it is but I think if the ratings are so good, another round would make the extra day worth it. (And make it seems like less of a money ploy)
Round 1 on Friday, 2-4 on Saturday and 5-8 on Sunday. Perhaps round 8 picks could be untradable (similar to compensatory picks) which would make the 8th round go by faster. Also, I agree with burnsomatic. The draft should be held in a different city each year. I like the idea of the Super Bowl champs getting to host it in their city. Screw all those Jets and Giants fans! New Yorkers are too damn spoiled! The whole world actually DOESN’T revolve around the five burrows.
Where’s New York? Is it somewhere in Mississippi?
I was reading where KC is considering signing an undrafted FA Punter out of Ball State.
Anyone have any idea WTF we need with a Punter? We already have one of the best. And the kicker we drafted has punting experience, too. I’m confused.
Haven’t heard that report on the Ball State punter yet Scott. I agree though, it seems like a waste of a precious roster space. The idiots at the league offices only let teams have 80 players now (for no good reason). If we went to camp with two kickers, two long snappers AND two punters, that would leave only 74 spots for “real” players. Plus, Colquitt doesn’t need any competition, he’s proven he’s one of the best. Here is the list of undrafted rookies that I have found that the Chiefs have either signed, plan on signing, or are bringing in for a tryout. As of now, no punters, but we’ll see.
CB Jackie Bates, Hampton, Kansas City
DB Ricky Price, Oklahoma State, Kansas City
WR Taurus Johnson, South Florida, Kansas City
DE Bobby Greenwood, Alabama, Kansas City
DB Londen Fryar, W. Michigan, Kansas City
DE Pierre Walters, Eastern Illinois, Kansas City
WR Taurus Johnson, South Florida, Kansas City
LB Jovan Belcher, Maine, Kansas City
LB Bobby Abare, Yale, Kansas City
Taurus Johnson is on there twice. Should check closer before I copy and paste!
Colby,
There’s a story on ArrowHead Pride about it.
Taurus Johnson, has already signed. I posted it a couple days ago.
Not sure why it hasn’t been announced.
I copied my post from Monday below.
April 27, 2009 – anonymous says:
“Chiefs sign a WO.
USF Senior receiver Taurus Johnson who had 38 receptions for 498 yards and six touchdowns in his senior season, and finished his career at USF with 112 catches for 1,434 yards and 12 touchdowns, has signed a free-agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs after this weekend’s NFL Draft.
At 6′1-208 pounds, has a good blend of strength & size. At the scouting combine, T.J. ran a 4.43 & a 4.48 in the 40 yard dash and put up 18 reps of 225, placing him in the top 5 for receivers. He also registered a 35 1/2 inch vertical leap a 10-1 broad jump.
T. J garnered plenty of interest from the Bears, Browns, Denver, and worked out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but had a private work-outs with the Kansas City Chiefs WR Coach Dedric Ward at Saddle Brook before the draft.
“Coach Ward is a real good coach and I’d love to play for him and the Chiefs.”Âť
This is the LB that have reportedly signed too, which I had posted previously.
April 27, 2009 – anonymous says:
More line Backers.
KC Reels in LBs
by Adam Caplan of ScoutNFLNetwork.com, April 26, 2009 at 9:46pm ET
Pierre Walters Profile
Former Eastern Illinois University LB Pierre Walters and former University of Maine LB Jovan Belcher have agreed to contract terms with the Kansas City Chiefs, Scout.com has confirmed.
With the expected move to a 3-4 defensive scheme and being that the Chiefs are light on depth at linebacker, both players should have a chance to make the final roster.
Maybe you should read other peoples comments, rather than being fixated on your own…….
So basically our posts are in agreement, mine simply doesn’t confirm a signing because the Chiefs themselves haven’t confirmed anything just yet. What are you insecure that people aren’t reading your posts? No need to pick fights no name.
Scott, I went ahead and checked out the story on arrowhead pride. I’m still just as confused as you are about the Chiefs considering a punter. Hopefully it’s not a sign that Colquitt’s injury troubles from last year are carrying over into the offseason!
I keep seeing multiple lists of UDFA’s that the Chiefs have possibly signed but the one I’m using is from draft daddy. Until they are listed on the roster at kcchiefs.com or Gretz himself confirms it then it’s just speculation at this point.
– Could Greg Ellis be Cut or Traded? –
Tue Apr 28, 2009 –from FFMastermind.com
#
The Dallas Morning News reports with the Cowboys drafting two outside linebackers Sunday, it raised the question about the status of veteran LB Greg Ellis. In the last two seasons, Ellis has expressed concern about his role with the franchise and hinted he might be released or traded because the team wanted to go with LB Anthony Spencer as the starter. Ellis’ agent, James Williams, said that despite the team’s drafting LB Brandon Williams and LB Victor Butler in the fourth round, his client is not concerned. “Greg is looking forward to playing football and he’s looking forward to playing in the new stadium for the Cowboys,” Williams said. “It’s outside of our control anyway. But Greg is happy with the Cowboys and wants no controversies.” If the Cowboys release or trade Ellis, he would be owed $1.5 million by the club. His base salary for the 2009 season is $4.175 million.
I know he’s getting older, but Ellis has a Haley connection and can still get to the QB. He could be a big time upgrade to our pass rush.
I’m not concerned about bringing in a punter. This just goes to show how prepared our new management likes to be. What if something happens to Culquitt in camp? Plus, they believe strongly in competition, unlike our previous coach who gave jobs to players without them earning it at all.
I tend to agree with kcfaninaz…watch Laboy closely and leave Edge for some other team.