Can Rams negotiate No. 2 pick?
Posted: Friday April 25, 2008 05:04AM ET
The NFL says there is no conspiracy to restrict the Rams for the sake of draft intrigue. "It's been a longstanding policy, for about 15 years, that only the team picking first can negotiate and sign a player before the draft," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told The Post. "The commissioner is in favor of evaluating that policy," added Aiello. "Everything is up for evaluation, including the team picking first's right to continue to negotiate before the draft." Aiello said that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had no timetable for the evaluation, other than it would take place after this year's selection process and before next season's draft. Why wouldn't the NFL want the Rams to have the freedom to talk deals? Because that would sabotage what has become a marquee event for the league. Draft day would lose a significant portion of its intrigue if the top two picks were known before the draft begins.
Roger Goodell, Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Comments (14)
"We should never negotiate from fear but we should never fear to negotiate." Those are the words of JFK. And this shows how much smarter the NFL is. If you let everybody talk, you ruin draft weekend and might eventually have the scores of microphone chukkers (or Jimmy Carter egomaniacs) trying to help the draft picks. Sounds like a mess.
Insane Hussein | 04/25/08, 06:11 AM
Report Offensive CommentOMG.............sorry, I read the results afterwords. This is the premier event? What the hell has happened here? Thats like getting phone service is the premier event before having phone sx......oops
jackman! | 04/25/08, 07:34 AM
Report Offensive CommentWhy is Roger's mug the piccy for this T&R?
jctoo | 04/25/08, 08:39 AM
Report Offensive CommentI don't think the Rams would get serious about negotiating with the #2 pick before draft day anyway. Why? Because there is a very strong possibility that the Rams will trade the pick or draft Glenn Dorsey but trade him before the end of Round One.
M-a-r-s | 04/25/08, 09:04 AM
Report Offensive CommentI think, once the #1 pick is SIGNED AND DELIVERED, the #2 should be on the clock. If #2 does the same, put #3 on the clock. This would allow the Rams to see the signability of the players they are looking at...and if they can save $5mil in guaranteed money on Long, over Dorsey, perhaps that would matter enough. Or if they see they all want too much, they could work to trade down. It would make this even more of a mind game than it already is..."why are they trading down? because he's not signable?"
Lazo | 04/25/08, 12:55 PM
Report Offensive CommentAre they trying to create a story? Talk about about great double talking.
Grossedout9 | 04/25/08, 01:27 PM
Report Offensive CommentYeah Goodell, heaven forbid anybody does anything to mess with the NFL's integrity and tradition after how well you handled Spygate.
madhatter | 04/25/08, 02:08 PM
Report Offensive CommentThats a slippery slope...if you take the meat from the draft then you lose viewers...then you lose money.....dont end this....millions of fans love the draft...but if you already know who is going where before the official date...then...i guess we'll just call it draft month.
MrMykel_Angelo | 04/25/08, 02:34 PM
Report Offensive Commentwill give the rams Jason Davio for there 2cnd pick
domepatrol | 04/25/08, 03:51 PM
Report Offensive CommentDavid whooop Gauex Saints
domepatrol | 04/25/08, 03:51 PM
Report Offensive CommentUpdated my Mock Draft today with potential top-15 trade scenarios included.
Check it out at http://rmensch.blogspot.com
rmensch | 04/25/08, 04:19 PM
Report Offensive CommentWhat's up football fans? Check out this cool football simulation site. You create a player and go through his whole career. It's totally free.
http://goallineblitz.com/game/signup.pl?ref=1093144
**EEXCESS** | 04/25/08, 09:43 PM
Report Offensive CommentWhat song is Goodell singing in that picture?
DaMoFo | 04/25/08, 09:44 PM
Report Offensive Comment"You Light Up My Life"
Lady, Miss Lady | 04/26/08, 12:58 AM
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