Is a new CBA ready? According to a league source it will be announced soon

[jksmith269]

NFL | New Collective Bargaining Agreement Close?
Sat, 23 Jul 2005 21:24:39 -0700

Michael Felger, of the Boston Herald, reports a deal on the long-awaited collective bargaining agreement between the owners and players should be announced in the next 60 days, according to a league source.

 

[Cowboy from New York]

I hope it puts the brakes on and takes steps to control the enormous contracts these top rookies are getting coming right in to the NFL without having proved jack. Granted there always will be busts but with some controls on rookie contracts maybe teams won't get killed on their salary cap due to a top rookie being a bust.

 

[KDWilliams85]

I would be pleasantly surprised if they offered a rookie scale similiar to that of the NBA.

 

[Hostile]

This is very good news IMO. No lockouts, no strikes, no abolishment of the cap.

 

[LaTunaNostra]

This is very good news IMO. No lockouts, no strikes, no abolishment of the cap.

And it would also mean the owners have worked out the revenue sharing issue, wouldn't it, as reportedly that agreement had to precede a new CBA?

 

[notherbob]

I hope this is true and not just a bunch of BS.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I agree, it would be great news.

The players, owners and league personnel in the NFL seem to realize that they shouldn't mess to much with a good thing.

 

[Big Country]

I hope it puts the brakes on and takes steps to control the enormous contracts these top rookies are getting coming right in to the NFL without having proved jack. Granted there always will be busts but with some controls on rookie contracts maybe teams won't get killed on their salary cap due to a top rookie being a bust.

Good idea... it should be called the Ryan Leaf rule!!

 

[zagnut]

I hope it puts the brakes on and takes steps to control the enormous contracts these top rookies are getting coming right in to the NFL without having proved jack. Granted there always will be busts but with some controls on rookie contracts maybe teams won't get killed on their salary cap due to a top rookie being a bust.

Rookie money is the easiest thing to negotiate during CBA haggling because the future rookie has no representation. The players union has no problem sticking it to future rookies because that means more money for current players who have achieved.

There are controls in place to limit rookie contracts with the current CBA. Unfortunately, the clubs themselves are their own worst enemy. The clubs are the ones undermining the rookie pool with highly creative contracts and capology.

No contract is signed that the club is uncomfortable with and all contracts have to be approved by the league office. If there is a problem, the problem is squarely on the shoulders of the owners. All it takes is one club trying to subvert their rookie pool to create a problem for everyone else.

 

[HTownCowboysFan]

I would be pleasantly surprised if they offered a rookie scale similiar to that of the NBA.

That would be fantastic. Put the money towards the proven vets.

 

[LaTunaNostra]

Rookie money is the easiest thing to negotiate during CBA haggling because the future rookie has no representation. The players union has no problem sticking it to future rookies because that means more money for current players who have achieved.

But I think agents will be agitating their clients tooth and nail on it.

"More money for players who have achieved" should play out in general if the players share of league revenues isn't decreased (and of course it won't be...the NFLPA is after an increase). But considering the stats on average career lengths, were I a player I'd want as much of that money as I can get early on, regardless of where I'm drafted. Even a low round pick with a five figure signing bonus might dread the trickle down effect, specially since the move has been to sign rookies to extended contracts, even some of the later rounders.

I expect any messing with rookie 'cost of living' escalations to be shot down, or a strong attempt made anyway.

This is too much for the agents to let go, and they also have to deal with the players association wanting that cap on commissions to go down..I think it is by three percent to two percent?

 

[Kangaroo]

But I think agents will be agitating their clients tooth and nail on it.

"More money for players who have achieved" should play out in general if the players share of league revenues isn't decreased (and of course it won't be...the NFLPA is after an increase). But considering the stats on average career lengths, were I a player I'd want as much of that money as I can get early on, regardless of where I'm drafted. Even a low round pick with a five figure signing bonus might dread the trickle down effect, specially since the move has been to sign rookies to extended contracts, even some of the later rounders.

I expect any messing with rookie 'cost of living' escalations to be shot down, or a strong attempt made anyway.

This is too much for the agents to let go, and they also have to deal with the players association wanting that cap on commissions to go down..I think it is by three percent to two percent?

I have some ideas about rookies and contracts with the NFL.

All rookies that are drafted and sign their initial contract.

1. The contract 1st two years are guaranteed
2. The contract can not exceed 4 years (this prevents the stupid 8 years big money bonuses loop holes)
3. Allow teams to move up to two signed drafted players (1st two years of contract only) between the practice squad and active roster maintaining all draft rights and the player keeps the current pay rate. This helps the lower round picks alot imo
4. This would help the young players with the short careers and the pratice squad option gives teams two years to develop them and will force the owers to keep the large bonus to reasonable amount

Just some thoughts on the rookies and cba. This is a concept so do not beat me up on all the details that have to be worked out in more detail later on :

 

[Longboysfan]

I have some ideas about rookies and contracts with the NFL.

3. Allow teams to move up to two signed drafted players (1st two years of contract only) between the practice squad and active roster maintaining all draft rights and the player keeps the current pay rate. This helps the lower round picks alot imo
4. This would help the young players with the short careers and the pratice squad option gives teams two years to develop them and will force the owers to keep the large bonus to reasonable amount

So if the player is drafted the team can have two of them on the practice squad. Where other teams can't steal them away.

 

[LaTunaNostra]

I have some ideas about rookies and contracts with the NFL.

All rookies that are drafted and sign their initial contract.

1. The contract 1st two years are guaranteed
2. The contract can not exceed 4 years (this prevents the stupid 8 years big money bonuses loop holes)
3. Allow teams to move up to two signed drafted players (1st two years of contract only) between the practice squad and active roster maintaining all draft rights and the player keeps the current pay rate. This helps the lower round picks alot imo
4. This would help the young players with the short careers and the pratice squad option gives teams two years to develop them and will force the owers to keep the large bonus to reasonable amount

Just some thoughts on the rookies and cba. This is a concept so do not beat me up on all the details that have to be worked out in more detail later on :

I 4 1 have no intention of beating down on anyone ballsy enough to guarantee any thing more substantial to "Mr Irrelevant" than a coffee and donut signing bonus. On face value, I couldn't see any of the pertinent parties going for it, but it's interesting...I will wait for the details.

The rookie cap as is to me is a good one. Each team has to put aside a portion of the cap for that express purpose. It prevents the Daniel Snyder's from going out and over spending to the point they start crying to the NFL they can't sign their rookies. The huge signing bonuses to top flight talent is inevitable, and if you don't like paying them, stop freaking LOSING every year and meriting a top ten pick. The way the draft is set up is the losers, and some of them perrenial, get first dibs on the best players..so those franchises darn well should risk the boom or bust cycle more than someone drafting in the lower spots.

I guess I just don't see the big initial rookie contracts as that big a deal..smart cap management usually finds a way, and you're as likely to end up paying dead money to an aging free agent you foolishly signed on past glories then you are to a Ryan Leaf. If your GM (as well as your head coach who left you with the league's worst record), is a dolt, tough. Suck it up and pay thru the nose.

On the labor end, anything that decreases the entry level salary for any job description is gonna be a red flag before a raging bull. The fact a Harvard MBA, for example, can expect a minimum first-job salary of 100 thou, means the shysters with five years seniority can point to that standard for the "unexperienced", and get paid accordingly . Entry level salaries have great impact on your standard of livng until you retire...I just don't see the NFLPA ever agreeing to set a limit on the big contracts to top college players.

And of course, the agents..lol

 

[Kangaroo]

So if the player is drafted the team can have two of them on the practice squad. Where other teams can't steal them away.

Yes that is the basic idea this would help the 7th round pick that needs time to get better be it raw or from a small school. That way you can train them and develop them and at the same time if they are not ready you do not lose them and you can keep a vet on the active roster during the year to help you win. Like I said a concept I think would help out the development players and teams that draft them.

 

[dougonthebench]

I hope it doesn't come anywhere close to even thinking about a strike or any b.s. like that.

 

[dargonking999]

I hope it doesn't come anywhere close to even thinking about a strike or any b.s. like that.

nah the NFL saw what happenedto the NHL, thats too much money that will be lost with that, and too many crazed fans, going crazy the NFL will get it done,