05-03-2026, 01:15 AM -
Quick conversation starter --
I was sitting here contemplating the off-season so far. Thinking about the FAs we picked up (AND lost). Thinking about the Draft ... And thinking about the UDFAs we have agreements with. Lots of rookies coming in, like there is every year.
And then ... All of the sudden I had a flashback -- to last year. Do y'all remember last year.?? (Y'all = all of you..). For the first time in MY memory, there was a giant hullabaloo over rookie contracts. 2nd rounders and later took a "gun to the head" mentality and tried to "force" teams into "fully guaranteed" contracts. Remember that mess..??? This all started when the NCAA basically eliminated the concept of "amateur" sports. The then new NIL stuff guaranteed BIG payouts to unproven athletes. For those who don't know -- NIL stands for Name Image Likeness. -- Awarding compensation to athletes for usage (supposedly) of their personal and private property rights. This has turned into a wide-sweeping bonanza of money for athletes and an absolutely INCREDIBLE increase of the "transfer portal" as these students race around playing one school off against another in search of the one that will guarantee them the most money on a yearly basis. It's ALL about money. EVERYTHING IS ABOUT MONEY. There is no honor or integrity. There is no 'esprit de corps'. No fight for your alma mater. No school spirit.
Now, this trend has leapt forward into the NFL -- with 2nd/3rd round draftees demanding "fully guaranteed" contracts. Just like they are god's gift to football, and they have nothing to prove.!! Well, I'm going "on the record" here. I am 100% against 100% guaranteed contracts to rookies.
Look... These players are supposed to be good. If not they wouldn't have been given the chance to play in the NFL. But, let's not forget, their contract merely guarantees them a "CHANCE" to make good in the NFL. Nothing is "guaranteed' on their part ... so why should teams have to guarantee them specific compensation for multiple years before they play their first snap.???
We haven't seen the last of this mess. In fact, most folks think that the cavalcade of prima donna egoists has just begun. "Look at me.! I'm somebody now.!!"
---- 
OK, I'm climbing down from my 'bully pulpit'. I am interested in hearing what you think about all of this mess. Seriously.
I was sitting here contemplating the off-season so far. Thinking about the FAs we picked up (AND lost). Thinking about the Draft ... And thinking about the UDFAs we have agreements with. Lots of rookies coming in, like there is every year.
And then ... All of the sudden I had a flashback -- to last year. Do y'all remember last year.?? (Y'all = all of you..). For the first time in MY memory, there was a giant hullabaloo over rookie contracts. 2nd rounders and later took a "gun to the head" mentality and tried to "force" teams into "fully guaranteed" contracts. Remember that mess..??? This all started when the NCAA basically eliminated the concept of "amateur" sports. The then new NIL stuff guaranteed BIG payouts to unproven athletes. For those who don't know -- NIL stands for Name Image Likeness. -- Awarding compensation to athletes for usage (supposedly) of their personal and private property rights. This has turned into a wide-sweeping bonanza of money for athletes and an absolutely INCREDIBLE increase of the "transfer portal" as these students race around playing one school off against another in search of the one that will guarantee them the most money on a yearly basis. It's ALL about money. EVERYTHING IS ABOUT MONEY. There is no honor or integrity. There is no 'esprit de corps'. No fight for your alma mater. No school spirit.
Now, this trend has leapt forward into the NFL -- with 2nd/3rd round draftees demanding "fully guaranteed" contracts. Just like they are god's gift to football, and they have nothing to prove.!! Well, I'm going "on the record" here. I am 100% against 100% guaranteed contracts to rookies.
Look... These players are supposed to be good. If not they wouldn't have been given the chance to play in the NFL. But, let's not forget, their contract merely guarantees them a "CHANCE" to make good in the NFL. Nothing is "guaranteed' on their part ... so why should teams have to guarantee them specific compensation for multiple years before they play their first snap.???
We haven't seen the last of this mess. In fact, most folks think that the cavalcade of prima donna egoists has just begun. "Look at me.! I'm somebody now.!!"
---- OK, I'm climbing down from my 'bully pulpit'. I am interested in hearing what you think about all of this mess. Seriously.
"A Reasoned Response From A Reasonable Mind"
