Truth & Rumors > NFL
Growing concern over rookie holdouts
None down. Ten to go. That's the situation facing Bengals management and agents for the club's 10 rookie draft picks. There's no panic in the streets of the Queen City over the fact that not one member of the Bengals' 2008 draft class has signed a contract yet. But given the climate between NFL owners and the NFL Players Association cool and mostly cloudy there's plenty of cause for concern as training camps get ready to open later this month. The biggest challenge for negotiators will be hammering out five- and six-year contracts for first-round picks. How much will base salaries escalate in 2010 in anticipation of an uncapped year?
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Cintia Dicker
Taylor Walker



Comments (39) Add A Comment
If big Rog keeps his promise and the rookie cap becomes reality then next summer's contract negotiations with rookies will be very very interesting. Could it lead to a few money grabbers being lured to the CFL the way Rocket Ismail was? Bet a lot of us temporarily forgot about that one.
SteelersinMD's cats…
Total Comments (570)
Sounds like another problem for the Cats
Hank Hill
Arlen, TX
Total Comments (7639)
Gene Upshaw upset about a problem of his making. Go figure. He should run for the U.S. Congress - that's there stock-in-trade.
CowboyDave
Total Comments (27024)
*their. Sorry, always get upset discussing sewer maggots.
CowboyDave
Total Comments (27024)
There wouldn't be any problems if they put in rookie max's like the NBA, the NBA doesn't get everything right, but they are miles ahead on this one...
jandssports
Watervliet , NY
Total Comments (684)
This is one of the effects of a cap and non-gauranteed contracts.
Rookie payscales suck. There is no gauranteed contracts and no lifetime medical in a violent sport where short careers are the norm. The Rookies should hold out for as much as they can get, it might be all they ever get.
AllStarz
Total Comments (18993)
If big Rog keeps his promise and the rookie cap becomes reality then next summer's contract negotiations with rookies will be very very interesting. Could it lead to a few money grabbers being lured to the CFL the way Rocket Ismail was? Bet a lot of us temporarily forgot about that one.
SteelersinMD's cats are fat
------
Actually, ONE rockie might go to the CFL for big bucks, but no more in a given season. Realistically, only Toronto can afford to pay big bucks to a rookie player. The CFL isn't exactly flush with cash, and they don't have any real way to expand revenues. The teams they have are having a hard enough time staying afloat as it is.
Spaceman Spiff
Richmond , VA
Total Comments (562)
Imagine that, the Bengals can't/won't sign a draft pick. Glad to see not much has changed.
Trainwreck
Suwanee , GA
Total Comments (426)
I'd love to see a rookie cap... even better, I'd like to see them institute an NBA-model rookie contract, where it's for 4-years, 5th is an option, for set amounts, or tiers, of money.
BuffaloTF
Total Comments (2126)
Please put in a rookie cap. It's ridiculous to think that guys entering the league who've never proven anything get paid more than All-Pros. I have no problem with some guaranteed money, but make it reasonable, and spread it out among the entire draftees, not just the first-rounders. If it ain't enough, tell 'em to get a real job.
Tell it like it is
Total Comments (2552)
I always find the holding out issue of rookies very interesting... specially if the rookie is a QB with great expectations and hype to start sooner than later.... Not the bengals case but interesting.... like certain browns QB of a year ago that blew his opportunity of becoming a starter for a few bucks more going to his agent pocket anyway. Now, what he got to show for? I believe in incentative for production based contracts. If the rookie can't produce for either being a back-up or not good enough... the team is not held hostage for those 4, 5 years. That way... Busts will be more palatable to a team and their fan base who in reality pay the "jerks" salaries.
Hecman
Total Comments (920)
They should cap rookie salaries AND bonuses
spaul
Total Comments (1219)
Tell it like it is nailed it! These guys are asking way too much considering they have yet to prove themselves in the NFL. I get tired hearing of 1st rounders getting millions and doing nothing on the field. There has to be a solution where they don't win the lottery then figure they have nothing to prove, and getting some guaranteed money.
MrMiyagiJr
Total Comments (2662)
They should blacklist these greedy ****.
OtherOne81
Red Dawn, CT
Total Comments (2297)
B@$T3RDZ
OtherOne81
Red Dawn, CT
Total Comments (2297)
yawn
Squeeb
Total Comments (937)
NFL salaries need to be restructured....there are unproven rookies who haven't taken a hit yet, and they are already making more than proven stars like Demarcus Ware, Demeco Ryans, and Deven Hester!!!
TexanFan1
Spring , TX
Total Comments (23)
I don;t see any concern on the owners part they know these kids are getting way overpaid and most under perform until the last year of there contracts to get money from someone else. Upshaw and agents are what is screwing the league fan base with over extended salaries us fans end up paying for when it cost 250 to 300 bucks for a family of 4 to go to a game thats just plain aweful
cusefan21
Jacksonville , FL
Total Comments (678)
Bengals don't usually sign their rookies till late this month anyways Geoff Hobson wrote about this a month ago... No reason to panic... although Mike Brown has a record of being cheap...There is no reason for concern here...
CP-Child Please!
Total Comments (6392)
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