What Would Jason Do?: NFL Edition

Round 2: Roger Goodell

How do I begin?

We'll start with this. I apologize Mr. Goodell. I can honestly say that there is no other person in the business of sports that I admire more for what he has already done.

From holding players and coaches accountable for their actions, to submitting mountains in the name of charity, you are truly epitomizing your position.

That said, I have a bone or two to pick with you.

I need someone to explain to me why a rookie quarterback deserves a $72 million contract with $41 million guaranteed.

I need someone to explain to me why JaMarcus Russell, an unproven commodity, felt that he could hold out through training camps, OTAs, minicamp, etc.

I need someone to explain to me why I'm watching players, who do something they love for a living, while making more money by age 24 than I will, um...ever, miss activities important to the health of our teams.

Why is this happening?

Why is there so much scrutiny over taking a skill position first overall?

And then, the answer.

Let's say you go to Vegas. You walk up to the craps table. You have $1,000 or so dollars to gamble with as you see fit.  Are you going to lay a $100 bet on the pass line?

If you do, you're an idiot. That's not a gamble worth making.

Just like $41 million to Matthew Stafford.

Just like $31 million to Russell.

Just like, even, $35 million to Matt Ryan.

And then, the solution.

Predetermined contracts.

After all, I was an honor student in middle school, not so much in high school (I found "fun"). Point being: Transition is tough to estimate.

So you went in the first round, good for you, here's your choices:

A: Five years - $30 mil, $12m guaranteed

B: Three years - $20 mil, $8m guaranteed

C: One year - $10 mil, $4m guaranteed

Now you make adjustments for each round, and you say, again, these are your choices.

I know which Stafford would pick.

I know which Mark Sanchez would pick.

Truth be told, and I'm sorry if you disagree, this is the fairest way for both sides.

I'll cut to the chase on another point: Let Michael Vick play.

Now, you'll find no one that thinks the dogfighting was more disgusting than I. On top of that, this was a man who was caught with pot in an airport, flipped off his fans, etc.

But he did his time, now it's benefit of the doubt time. Continue with Tony Dungy mentoring, and tell him—one more shot. One more mistake. One parking ticket.

You're done.

See, Roger, there's a time to be tough. There's a time to punish people. There's a time to reinforce the fact that to play in the NFL is a privilege.

And then there's a time to give a man the benefit of the doubt based on time served.

Same goes with Plax.

Same will go with Donte Stallworth next year.

Just not Pacman Jones—that's an example of too many opportunities. Let him be UFL fodder.

And lastly, after a touchdown, players are fined for throwing the ball into the stands. 

They should be encouraged to.

Fix that, too.

-J