Every year it seems like a top 10 NFl draft pick holds out well into training camp. It's usually the guy that gets drafted later than he was projected to, so he thinks he's entitled to more money. Make sense?
I don't get it either.
This year it is Texas Tech star wide receiver Michael Crabtree. He was drafted 10th overall by the San Francisco 49ers. While the 49ers haven't informed the press of what they offered Crabtree, the collegiate star is not close to signing. In fact, his cousin and adviser, told ESPN that Crabtree is prepared to sit out the season and re-enter the draft next year.
Yeah, that's a great plan.
Eugene Parker, Crabtree's agent, denied this claim later.
If Crabtree were to sit out the season and wait for the draft again next year, does he really think he'll get more money? He can't go back to college and play, so he is just going to be working out instead of getting valuable pro experience.
Another factor to consider is what team is going to want to spend a high draft pick on a guy that is clearly all about money? Love of the game and respect for teammates can't be too high on Crabtree's priorities. Right now he is just looking like another wide receiver primadonna.
How does the NFL solve this annual problem? Take a page from the NBA draft process and put limits on how much first round picks can make. Bad teams will no longer have to make their first picks some of the top paid players on the team. Holdouts won't happen, fans will get to see their teams' futures from the get go and we won't have these stupid stories wasting space and time.
Every one is a winner. Except the Lions, they stink.
Party Man - Peter Gabriel (Incredibly hard song to find. It is on the Virtuosity soundtrack.)
Nice post Jeff. I like that the salary cap makes football more competitive than baseball (for everyone but the Lions), but I really hate that holding out is a part of football. It's all about the guaranteed money.
ReplyDelete