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 The NFL is arguably the most successful of the big three sports establishments in the nation. But it, is not a perfect entity. The signing of Jake Long by the Miami Dolphins as the first pick in this year's draft is an example of such an imperfection. It is not a because he is a poor player, he is, in fact, a very good run-blocking tackle and a good fit for his destination. It is because the NFL is allowing the cost to value ratio of its draft dictate too much of the financial setting on the weaker NFL franchises by trends predominate in the system. Allow me to explain...
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Jake Long is the number one draft pick to the Dolphins and will likely have a better rookie season than many of his compatriots near the top of the draft board. Why? Well, he is a devastating run blocker with a mean streak and all the physical and mental skill requisite for the job. He is going to a team that has a stable of young, strong backs and a head coach (lets be honest, Tuna is blowing the whistle in Miami) that loves to run the ball and wants mean ass guys to block the run. He is not the greatest pass blocker in the world, in fact, he isn't particularly great. He has size, and it was enough to dominate most edge rushers in college. He only allowed one sack. But in the NFL that will change, and his footwork leaves a lot to be desired. He gets beat underneath and often pulls so far into his stance to guard against the outside rush that he allows ends to get underneath him without his hands ever being fully engaged. He never had to block a lot of good ends who came out of the conference because they played the other side (Erasmus James, Anthony Spencer) and he struggled a little against speed rushers of top talent on his side (Gholston). But, to be sure, he has what it takes to develop into a really good pro. Joe Thomas was better coming out of college.
Thomas, during his final two seasons at Wisconsin, was the best offensive lineman int he country. He was a Pro-Bowl tackle waiting for draft day as a junior. He was so athletic he could almost be considered "elegant". His pass protection ability was like trying to get past the guards at the Playboy Mansion. Rough. He was tall, lean for his size, balanced and strong like bull. He was better last year than Long is this year. And now, after all my bluster, we come to the crux of the issue. Jake Long is the wealthier man. Joe Thomas, who was a Pro-Bowler as a rook and played all 16 games (well) on a team of little talent signed a rookie contract worth 43 million over 5 years. Long's contract is 57.75 over 5 years. Jake Long is NOT 14 million better than Joe Thomas, he isn't 14 dollars better.
But that is haw the draft works. Sure, Long was the #1 pick and Thomas was the #3 pick. There is something to be said for that. But even so, the money spent on the talent level is the risk I wish to comment on. If the NFL is hallmarking itself on the ability of its teams to compete, they must begin to reduce the cost weaker teams incur at the beginning of the draft.
JaMarcus Russell's contract is a terrible hit to the Raiders, who will see another high pick and another hit this year. The same could be said for the Saints who have need at high salary positions like offensive and defensive tackle. And don't forget the Lions, who have the ability to waste money and high draft picks like no other team. To be sure, Long's contract is huge. But the size of said contracts is not a promise of production. No, indeed, it is an investment in hope. Mario Williams was good this year, but the first year of his contract was essentially the price tag for a toe nail removal. Reggie Bush has proved exciting at times, but we must all accept that he struggles running the ball in between the tackles, a must in the NFL. When Duece went down the Saints struggled and Bush was exposed as a one dimensional, outside runner. Who would you rather have now, Bush and his 60 some million or Joe Addai and his 9 million? Alex Smith is looking down the barrel of year three with his job on the line and no progress in the last two seasons to warrant his retention. Better than 50 million went his way. Calvin Johnson was last year's Chris Long, and he went to the place that ate wide outs in Detroit. Though somewhat productive, Johnson played a portion of last season with a back injury the team treated with Vicodin DURING games. He still feels it. It was bad enough that he had to take time off in the offseason to heal. That is a troubling way to treat such a vast investment. That isn't the end to the Detroit woes. Joey Harrington was average. Charles Rogers wouldn't stop using drugs and is begging his way into the CFL. Mike Williams ate his way off three teams and is a backup tight end in Tennessee with no sign of the field in sight. Those guys were ate Detroit money sprinkled with sugar for breakfast and Detroit has been unable to afford veteran players because of it. Detroit hasn't been able to get veteran help or retain the services of their able bodied veterans like Shaun Rogers, who was an excellent tackle in Detroit and the focus of their defense. They have also allowed several decent linebackers and defensive backs to slip away in the last six or seven years that could have been built around. Because of their rookie mismanagement and their failure to negotiate the growing contract situation with draft picks they fail as a team annually.
There is no guarantee of quality or production in the NFL or any other sport when it comes to rookies. It is time to take a page from the NBA. Mandatory rookie contracts of a reasonable length should happen in the next collective bargaining agreement. Make it what you want. Top 5 guys get somewhere around 10 million over 3 years and slide it down from there. It would settle a lot of contract troubles for a lot of teams, and that is as big a part of franchise management as player evaluation in these days.
Alas, it will never happen. The owners are wealthy enough to let it happen and the money impact of high profile rookies can't be ignored. The player's association won't be helpful and expanding the salary cap opens more doors for these contracts to be negotiated. Not only that, but what draft is more highly covered by the news media? I guess I can relax, the Colts win consistently enough that they don't suffer from these woes, and our big contracts are awarded to players who have proved their value with production. Still, I shudder to think of a future with no Bill Polian, Peyton, Dwight, Bob and the rest of the boys when we are an average to crappy team trying to rebuild again. Those may be tough times, and I would liek to bi it in the bud now.
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