Shutdown Corner - NFL

Shutdown Corner

Wed Sep 10, 2008 5:26 pm EDT

Alex Smith makes the case for a rookie salary cap

By Chris Chase

Back in 2005, the San Francisco 49ers signed #1 overall pick Alex Smith to a six-year, $49.5 million contract, with $24 million guaranteed. Today, Smith was placed on injured reserve, a move that will likely end the small-handed quarterback's career in the Bay Area after three disappointing seasons. Smith will have collected approximately $30 million for his 11 wins (against 19 losses) and 19 touchdown passes, numbers that can only advance the argument that the NFL needs to institute an NBA-like rookie salary structure as soon as possible.

Alex Smith never should have been taken #1 (it was apparent to some in 2005 that he was the product of Urban Meyer's offensive system at Utah), but it's not the 49ers fault that they had to pay him all that money. In today's NFL, it takes that much guaranteed cash to sign any top pick and unless there's a sure-fire, can't-miss talent who's destined for the Hall of Fame atop the Draft (like, say, Michael Vick) no team will be willing to trade up for the rights to pay $30 million to some guy who merely happens to be the best of a weak draft crop.

It's the 49ers bad luck that they got the top pick in a thin draft, just like the Dolphins did this year. I mean, I'm sure Bill Parcells is happy with Jake Long, but you know it killed him to have to fork over all those dollars to a kid who was getting pushed around by a dude on App State at this time one year ago.  The element of draft luck won't change with a salary structure, but teams will stop getting penalized when there aren't any worthy players to pick.

Roger Goodell has expressed interest in looking at a salary structure. The NFLPA says they'll fight it, but it stands to reason that all the money not getting paid to rookies would find its way to league veterans, so the Union's hesitance could be a negotiating ploy. 

Photo via Getty Images

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  1. Too much fantasy
    1. Posted by Too much fantasy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    The last paragraph says it all. I can't see how the players union would be against a rookie salary cap. The only people it hurts are the players that are still in college and are not a part of the union. By capping the rookies, the players are effectively guaranteeing themselves more money for their next contract. Lets remember that there is a salary floor for teams, so just because a team saves $20M by not overpaying a rookie, they still need to spend some of that money on other players.
  2. FairlyHonestBob
    2. Posted by FairlyHonestBob Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:28 pm EDT

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    Another bustaroo. If I was an owner I'd never take a first round Q.B. Many of the greats have come from the later rounds.
  3. Lamar S
    3. Posted by Lamar S Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    Agreed, but I think the NFLPA stance was before Gene Upshaw passed away. Now maybe once they figure out who is going to run the NFLPA, their stance may and probably will change.
  4. Shlippity
    4. Posted by Shlippity Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:20 pm EDT

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    Thank You GU
  5. Jdogg1sd
    5. Posted by Jdogg1sd Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:31 pm EDT

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    As a 9er fan, I NEVER wanted Smith. I wanted Braylon Edwards....but teams RARELY take a WR #1 overall. Wish I was running the team.
  6. boobz
    6. Posted by boobz Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:54 pm EDT

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    lets not forget last yrs draft with jamarcus russell...as a raiders fan since i was a little kid it made me sick to see russell (who i do like but would've rather seen Brady Quinn in the silver and black), make obscene salary demands and then the raiders actually give in...these rookies are getting paid more than proven NFL vets!!!...sure you were great in college but honestly how many people make that transition from great college player to great pro player? NOT MANY...so yes to avoid headaches for teams in the future there should def be a rookie cap, until you prove yourself in the big leagues junior you shouldn't get paid big league salary!
  7. Crazy Legs
    7. Posted by Crazy Legs Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:22 pm EDT

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    Like these rookies even really need all that money. All you seem to hear about is how there getting in trouble with it anyhow! That is what happens though when young irresponsibility matches up with lots of cash. The veterans should be the ones getting more cash at least they're mature enough to use it well! No other job out there is so back-a$$wards!
  8. rcrayburn g
    8. Posted by rcrayburn g Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:27 pm EDT

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    I hope Chris has his facts straight. I understand his point. But I doubt "some dude" from App State was pushing Jake Long around last year. He may not have been great in his NFL debut, he might not be worth the money, U of M may have lost to App State last year but Jake Long was a stud last year. Few collegiate O.Ts. have ever been more dominate. I haven't watched the play by play of that game recently, but I suspect Chris cheapened his article at the expense of sensationalism or lack of research.
  9. mike
    9. Posted by mike Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

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    Alex showed promise when he first came up; but the second day???? anyway, I still think the 49ers will have a good season. You know, Matt could be available, I think he has it in him, wouldn't hurt to give it a try????
  10. Jeff C
    10. Posted by Jeff C Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:15 pm EDT

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    If a salary cap isn't put in place, it will reach a point where the owners make a mockery of the draft. (i.e. passing on picks, trading a #1 overall pick for the #15 pick). Comment #1 was right on. Owners will pay big dollars for proven performance and especially to players who will be entering their prime-ideally after a 2-3 year contract.
  11. Raider4life
    11. Posted by Raider4life Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:10 pm EDT

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    I can't say I'm sorry to see the whiners (49ers) get hosed with the draft of smith. but, on the other hand we might end up with the same, only costlier, end to a #1 draft pick. i do agree there should be a reasonable cap for rookies like 4 million guaranteed 1 year contract to begin with. then going into year 2 look at year 1 to see what the rookie did to assess what he is worth. these rookies loose the desire to excel when they have 30 million guaranteed before they ever go to a training camp. ridiculous!!!!!!!!! what's the motivation for a kid from the ghetto who never had anything except what he has stolen to push himself if he knows the money is his with 40 pics vs. 2 td's or 40 td's vs. 2 pics?
  12. Robert B
    12. Posted by Robert B Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:46 pm EDT

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    The union doesn't like a rookie cap because the crazy rookie contracts help push up the value on the veteran contracts.
    If Jake Long get's nearly 58 million, with 30 of it guaranteed, how much can a (healthy) Orlando Pace or Bryant McKinnie ask for on their next deal?
  13. www.mancosportscards.net
    13. Posted by www.mancosportscards.net Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:05 pm EDT

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    ....And lets hope the same thing doesnt happen to Falcons QB Matt Ryan....
    All this money with so little play
  14. dtwguy
    14. Posted by dtwguy Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:28 pm EDT

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    there should be a cap on everybody, qb's, rb's all of them if you are tom brady or peyton manning the most you can make is 3 million a year period, let them make money thru endorsements that way we can afford to go to a game, if you want brady paid all that money buy his jersey or shoes.
  15. Robert C
    15. Posted by Robert C Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    Think about it this way.
    If you were hired for a job and they guaranteed you at least 24 million bucks, no matter what happens.... how much effort are you going to put into that job?
    Now say they hire you and say that your pay will be based on your performance. How much effort will you then put into it.
    This is also evident in Free agency...although I am not saying that should be done away with. Just pointing out that high priced free agents rarely earn their money. Look at the Raiders right now. Young offense full of guys that have already been paid before producing...and a verteran defense that has been paid just to show up. The incentive is not there to perform. Yeah, yeah, pride should take over...but I bet they are beaming with pride every time they cash another Al Davis big fat paycheck.
  16. Turtle
    16. Posted by Turtle Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:25 pm EDT

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    it would also piss off agents like rosenhaus...so i'm all for it!
  17. Doom Tints
    17. Posted by Doom Tints Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:09 pm EDT

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    Most people get big money after they worked a job for a few years. In the NFL, this is flip-flopped and newcomers make more than the veterans. Yes, this needs to be fixed.
  18. john
    18. Posted by john Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    When John and Denise York get together with Denise's brother Eddie Debartolo, do you think he wears all five of his superbowl rings. The Yorks make Al Davis still look coherent. The Yorks have taken a periennial super bowl contender under eddie to periennial top 5 drafters. Maybe alex smith should take a lesson from Jim Plunkett. A former #1 bust on a bad team who took a back up job on a then good raiders team and ended up winning 2 super bowls. Did you know Plunkett has comperable numbers to steve young over thier last 8 years and Plunkett won 2 super bowls as a starting QB to Youngs 1. Why isn't Plunkett in the HOF?
  19. Reppin 4rm Big D to Jrzy
    19. Posted by Reppin 4rm Big D to Jrzy Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

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    20 and 30 mill guaranteed for a "college" all-star is way too much, now if he plays about three years and make the pro bowl or all-pro team then they should get the money.....how can alex smith be gettin paid more than guys like witten, terrell suggs, jones-drew, brandon marshall.....its ridiculous that proven players get way less than rookies who may never make it big, all that cap money goin to waste
  20. Film Stars08.com
    20. Posted by Film Stars08.com Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:59 pm EDT

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    Alex see ya soon...
  21. Ryan B
    21. Posted by Ryan B Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:51 pm EDT

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    chris chase is a idiot. he's always righting bad information in his blogs. michigan rushed for almost 300yds against app st. i'm pretty sure jake long had something to do with that. i agree tho rookies earn way to much in gaurenteed $.
  22. Bruce
    22. Posted by Bruce Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    They should get a base salary with bonus incentives. That way, if they prove their worth, they get paid accordingly. Not a bad idea for congress as well.
  23. Dave
    23. Posted by Dave Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:14 pm EDT

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    hey, nobody is forcing these teams to pay these amounts. nobody forced the 49ers to draft anyone with their pick. nor did anyone force the raiders to cave in to russell's demands. they had the option to spend their dough on vets instead, but chose to pay up for those rookies nonetheless.
    if the current system is so bad for owners, then why don't they just do away with the draft altogether? rookies would come into the league simply as free agents. the answer is: because it serves their interests to bound the incoming rookies to a single team and limit their negotiating leverage.
  24. Dave
    24. Posted by Dave Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:14 pm EDT

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    Furthermore, to complain about it afterwards is disingenuous. if you're an owner negotiating with a player who has little option other than to play for your team or take a regular 9-to-5 job at maybe $50k a year, and still you come out with a bad deal, then you're a pretty lousy businessman who deserves to lose his money, and i have no sympathy to hear you whine about it later.
  25. andrew m
    25. Posted by andrew m Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:48 pm EDT

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    It would be nice to see some of the money - like 10 to 15 percent of the money saved - go to the retirees from that team - based on tenure. Too often the retirees can't afford to live - I don't think that will be so much of an issue with todays athletes but the ones who gave these kids a chance - it would be nice to see them have enough to live - I don't think these 100 million dollar players will ever be as good as some of the ones who played for their paycheck.

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Shutdown Corner is an NFL blog edited by Matthew J. Darnell. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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