Polian: Draft needs updating - New England Patriots Forums

pheenix11 · 03-04-2008, 01:19 AM

Interesting comments by Polian, seems like he is the BB camp when it comes to high picks not being worth the $$$$.

By the way, did he have a lobotomy or is he currently posessed? He has actually made a few statements that make sense lately.

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

Quote:

Colts president Polian says NFL draft needs updating
Associated Press

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."

PatsFan24 · 03-04-2008, 02:12 AM

It is a bit silly to pay a player 50 million dollars when they have played a down in the nfl.

Keegs · 03-04-2008, 02:36 AM

yeah i think the whole situation stinks.

The top pick should get 5 mil a year tops

nashvillepatsfan · 03-04-2008, 02:37 AM

wow. he actually said something i agree with. i still hate him though

it does kinda concern me that we pick so high this year, and risk having someone we need, holdout of t.c., but thats life in the nfl. b.b.'s got it covered.

dhamz · 03-04-2008, 05:30 AM

I agree with Bill Polian.

I never would have expected to type those words.

Smash-MouthD · 03-04-2008, 06:40 AM

I think that is why there has been a trend of taking lineman higher in the draft
both OL and DL they are easier to project than say a QB. If a lineman fails you can get by with a fill in, your QB fails you are out lots of money and screwd for a couple years at the most important spot on you roster. That is why Quinn dropped and Ryan may do the same. When you screw up a QB pick everyone knows, when you screw up a lineman pick (robertson jets) everyone says dwyane who?

Pats726 · 03-04-2008, 06:53 AM

I agree with him..the top part of the first round is ridiculous..way way too much money for players who havent seen an NFL field..I think it needs to be smoothed down some..maybe even slotted from year to year based on some formula. Way too much money for unproven talent sometimes makes those high picks less value.

RayClay · 03-04-2008, 07:04 AM

Isn't it funny he came to this revelation during a year we'd probably like to trade down with our high pick?

Watson's IQ · 03-04-2008, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayClay

Isn't it funny he came to this revelation during a year we'd probably like to trade down with our high pick?

I guess, but I really don't think everything that Polian says or does is made with an eye to screwing the Patriots. Maybe only 50% of it?

Anyways, if they want to draft a corner and not Gholston, I'm firmly in favor of the Pats trading down, because at least one of those top 3 guys should still be available around 15 or so.

RayClay · 03-04-2008, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson's IQ

I guess, but I really don't think everything that Polian says or does is made with an eye to screwing the Patriots. Maybe only 50% of it?

Anyways, if they want to draft a corner and not Gholston, I'm firmly in favor of the Pats trading down, because at least one of those top 3 guys should still be available around 15 or so.

Quote:

I guess, but I really don't think everything that Polian says or does is made with an eye to screwing the Patriots. Maybe only 50% of it?

The other 50% involves influencing rules against the rest of the league..

Come on, we're talking Bill Polian here. I have to admire the guy that he's always looking for an edge. Everything he says or does is intended to influence rules or refs.

Why worry about the draft in a year his team is hardly involved? I'm sure he wouldn't just make a splash to avoid us getting two cornerbacks for the price of one.