NFL Has It Backwards: Something's Gotta Give

I just read an article that had a comment about how Seahawk fans should now back off of Okung since he has agreed to a contract.

I agree with this comment, due to the fact that these young athletes and agents are ALLOWED to hold out as long as they choose, because they feel they are worth more than what is being offered at that point.

It may be because the position is worth more than the fourth round pick because the sixth rounder is a more important position than the fourth, or because an athlete should have been picked sooner, or this excuse, or that excuse.

What it boils down to is that the system of the NFL is backwards.

Call me crazy, but a veteran who's been playing for years and made it to the pro bowl in the NFL should be the ones missing time from training camp and negotiating how much they are worth, not a guy who hasn't done one play in the NFL.

A player like Regis (Jets) saying he should get paid more, and not being in camp makes complete sense to me.

Rookies, on the other hand, should have everything figured out before training camp, and especially be their day one.

For example, let's say that Okung thinks he is worth the $48-58 million (whatever ridicules amount it is) with the $30 million guaranteed.

As an owner, you agree to these terms. However, the twist is that Okung has to prove he is worth it and play on the team for two years, only allowing 10-15 sacks in that period of time, holding penalties 10 times, and must improve every game.

Any more sacks and holding penalties, then he is only worth $20 million with $10 million guaranteed. With these stipulations, I think Okung is going to try a little harder, don't you?

All rookies should be paid based on when they were selected and the position. Say one year, a QB is selected number one, and the next year a DT is selected number one.

The QB should, of course, get paid a higher salary than a DT, but it would be in the $100,000 dollar ranges, not ten million plus ranges.

Make them earn what they think they are worth and pay them if they earn it. Veterans should earn more than a rookie. It is no wonder that this sport is going to crap when it comes to effort of the players.

Veterans that have been doing this for years. They've dealt with injuries, dealt with new learning curves that college players could not understand, criticism, and so on.

They are hanging out with a rookie who is making $8 million dollars more per year, because they signed a contract five years ago, and these veterans are suppose to be happy?

Think about it. If I were 22 and I was handed $30 million and told to go out there and prove that I was worth that much, do you really think I am going to do my best?

Sure, I would still half ass try just so I could sleep at night, but what it all boils down to is I have $30 million dollars in my pocket. No one can take it back, so who cares!

It's odd how veterans in the past five to 10 years can be such unstoppable players until they get their huge contracts and then, for some reason, they play terrible afterwards.

Remember Alexander? He could not even break a tackle after his big contract, even when healthy.

Veterans and rookies should get paid millions only after they earn it, and get the millions when their contracts are done. They shouldn't get millions at the beginning when they have not earned it.

I remember a time when players worked hard, enjoyed what the game stood for, loved what they did, and gave it their all. As a fan, I feel that we deserve better than the crap we have been dealing with the past couple of years. Are we not the ones paying for this?

I often have wondered, and have often questioned whether or not a player loses his drive because of the money.

I also wonder how different the game would be if not so much money was involved before they retire.