NFLPA's Smith: Rookie Wage Scale "is not a player issue"

[jmt57]

From SMY: NFLPA's Smith: Rookie wage scale "is not a player's issue"

Smith's take on the rookie scale? "GMs make the decision on who is the best player for their team. ...There's no dissension among players. The only question they have is why are owners asking us this? We don't sign checks, we don't pick the players."

Last week, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said that he believes the veterans who have proven themselves in the league should receive the bulk of the salary cap dollars. Smith pointed out that the vets do get most of the money.

While at first glance I agree with Smith, would it really hurt him to a t least take a look? In fact, as long as the NFL owners were spending an equal amount of money, wouldn't it benefit a larger portion of the NFLPA by having more money go to other players? In addition it would give Smith a bargaining chip; he could tell Goodell, 'okay, we gave you the rookie wage scale; now you need to give us x.'

The other thing I see happening is if the owners suddenly across the board pay the top picks less money, aside from all the rookies holding out, the NFLPA would likely accuse the owners of collusion. Even if the owners do decide to pay the top picks less money and other players more, they are in a no-win situation.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

In addition it would give Smith a bargaining chip; he could tell Goodell, 'okay, we gave you the rookie wage scale; now you need to give us x.'

Exactly. This is very important to the owners, so why agree to the idea in public before the negotiations.

Stand your ground and reluctantly agree to a first round rookie cap as a condition to the owners giving up something the players want.