Colts GM Polian: time for a change in draft - The Orange Mane

brncs_fan · 02-26-2008, 02:11 AM

Something to break the combine talk for a minute.

Colts president Polian says NFL draft needs updating
Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian isn't sure if having a top 10 draft pick would be worth it.

His Colts don't have a selection until late in the second round. He explained Sunday at the NFL Scouting Combine why his team might be better off that way.

Polian said good teams like the Colts are less likely than in the past to trade up for an early pick because of the required financial commitment. Last year's top pick, JaMarcus Russell, missed all of training camp in a contract dispute before getting $29 million in guarantees.

"Trades are a unique thing in the first round anymore because of the cost of the top 10 picks financially," he said. "To take on that cost ... is almost counterintuitive."

Polian said agents have driven up the cost of the early picks, making it more difficult than ever for struggling franchises to improve. He said that cost can hamper teams for years, especially if they make a mistake on a pick or the player gets injured.

"The draft was designed to either allow the weakest teams, based on record, to choose the best players, or if they chose not to take a particular player, to gather a bunch of picks to further accelerate their growth and competitiveness," he said. "That's now been skewed by the cost of the picks in the first round.

"When that's skewed and changed because of the agents, that isn't a good thing for the game."

Polian said the system also makes it difficult for a team drafting early to acquire pieces to put around the high pick. He said making the right pick is possible, but difficult.

"What it can do, if you're fortunate enough to get a Peyton Manning, is it can change your franchise," he said. "It gives you a guy who can lead you to the promised land, can help you be a good team for a long time. If you miss on that pick, economics aside, you still set yourself back."

Polian said he expects the system to change eventually. He said the league could change the pay scale or create a slotting system like the NBA has, creating a fixed rate for draft positions.

But the current system, he feels, needs to be updated so the league can remain balanced.

"Our game is based on competitive balance and the fact that every year, every franchise believes they can win, unlike other sports. You can go from worst to first in a year.

"It's not about money, it's about the integrity of the game on the field."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

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wabbit · 02-26-2008, 02:50 AM

The mandatory slotting would become a huge issue with the Players Union, but I agree the need is there for some kind of cap.

The San Diego Chargers are a good example of what can happen to a team from extreme examples.

In one extreme, the franchise takes Ryan Leaf second over-all and the failure sets back the franchsie for years.

Then, in a couple of drafts, they land several truely impact players & they're vying for the Conference Championship.

The hit & miss can be that whimsically successful...or wreak havoc with your franchise.

Still, some kind of salary slotting seems necessary at this point, if for no other reason than to protect perennial losers from themselves, and the salary/cap hits that come with their yearly, monumental whiffs.

lex · 02-26-2008, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wabbit

The mandatory slotting would become a huge issue with the Players Union, but I agree the need is there for some kind of cap.

The San Diego Chargers are a good example of what can happen to a team from extreme examples.

In one extreme, the franchise takes Ryan Leaf second over-all and the failure sets back the franchsie for years.

Then, in a couple of drafts, they land several truely impact players & they're vying for the Conference Championship.

The hit & miss can be that whimsically successful...or wreak havoc with your franchise.

Still, some kind of salary slotting seems necessary at this point, if for no other reason than to protect perennial losers from themselves, and the salary/cap hits that come with their yearly, monumental whiffs.

Yeah, plus I think the draft value chart is kind of in sync with the $s as well. So, if the dollars were more "balanced" I think youd see the draft value chart get tweaked so that the top 5 picks wouldnt be so ridiculously disproportionate. Basically, the draft value chart as it currently exists isnt an accurate depiction of the true value since teams dont want to trade up. Its only really that value if someone is willing to pay it. Its similar to the $s.

TexanBob · 02-26-2008, 04:08 AM

I guess if the Colts didn't want to spend for high draft choices, they wouldn't today have Manning, Freeney and Harrison. I'd say Polian is slamming the lack of a rookie cap because he's already got his big-money stars.

And exactly how many franchises stay buried in the losing column year after year? Even the Bengals had a couple of playoff years. I'd say parity is alive and well. Only Arizona and Detroit fit the perennial losers label amd those two aren't that uncompetitive.

Rohirrim · 02-26-2008, 08:55 AM

Polian is right. It's ridiculous to pay some kid $30 million based on his college career. You only need to review the success of Heisman winners in the pros to see the risk involved.

Kaylore · 02-26-2008, 11:45 AM

Every other sport has a salary cap for rookies. I don't see why the NFL doesn't. Reggie Bush became the highest paid back in the league when he was drafted. Looking at his production now that seems like a joke. Vernon Davis was the highest paid tight end at the time. At third highest he's a joke. These contracts are stupid.

brncs_fan · 02-26-2008, 12:21 PM

I have to say that I agree with Polian on this one.

That is why it is nice to not pick int the top 15 very often. You can get some quality guys that can come in and contribute for a lot less than many of the top ten "super prospects" that teams draft, put a bunch of money in, and have a hard time giving up on based on where they were drafted and how much money they are paying them when it is obvious that the guy is a bust.

That's why i have always thought that high character guys who give you a solid performance are better selections in the draft than the guy with blown up college numbers who many can't see has bust written all over them (aka Reggie Bush).

-Slap- · 02-26-2008, 12:32 PM

Bill Polian handed Peyton Manning $48 million when he was a rookie. I guess that really sucked for him.

brncs_fan · 02-26-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Slap-

Bill Polian handed Peyton Manning $48 million when he was a rookie. I guess that really sucked for him.

The flip side of that though is what the Chargers paid for Leaf.

PRBronco · 02-26-2008, 12:56 PM

I'm glad they're looking into this, it's just ridiculous the way the signing of rookies is carried out right now. A high draft pick is becoming less and less beneficial to struggling franchises, they gotta get that under control. Every time a rookie holds out, god kills a kitten

SpringStein · 02-26-2008, 01:13 PM

It will be tough to get the union to concede on this. The big paydays for rookies only drives up the pay for the vets (in their mind).

Paladin · 02-26-2008, 01:52 PM

I suspect that this and other reasons will drive the owners to reject the CBA, and force the issues. The players may have to give some ground back to the owners because the slaries are getting gastonomical and hurts the overall image and viability of the league. I'd like to see the ticket prices retreat in costs, for example......

chaz · 02-26-2008, 03:09 PM

Polian is right, something has to change.

rovolution · 02-26-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Slap-

Bill Polian handed Peyton Manning $48 million when he was a rookie. I guess that really sucked for him.

not to mention when he made Jim Kelly the highest paid quarterback in the NFL when he hadn't even played an NFL snap back in 1986.

TheChamp24 · 02-26-2008, 03:47 PM

I totally aggree with a salarp cap for how much rookies get paid. I think I mentioned it last year, but seriously, its ridiculous how much those high 1st rookies are getting paid.
Like Klay said, Bush is one of the highest paid backs in the league, Vernon Davis for TE, heck because Dwayne Robertson was drafted so high he is the highest paid DT. lol

Bronco Jamus · 02-26-2008, 06:17 PM

Rookies get payed too much period. There is no way an unproven talent should get paid more than proven vetran in the same position.

02-26-2008, 02:11 AM	#1
brncs_fan How about some Tapenade! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: The Coaches Cradle...Eastern Illinois University Posts: 5,489 Adopt-a-Bronco: Manti Teo	Colts GM Polian: time for a change in draft Something to break the combine talk for a minute. Colts president Polian says NFL draft needs updating Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian isn't sure if having a top 10 draft pick would be worth it. His Colts don't have a selection until late in the second round. He explained Sunday at the NFL Scouting Combine why his team might be better off that way. Polian said good teams like the Colts are less likely than in the past to trade up for an early pick because of the required financial commitment. Last year's top pick, JaMarcus Russell, missed all of training camp in a contract dispute before getting $29 million in guarantees. "Trades are a unique thing in the first round anymore because of the cost of the top 10 picks financially," he said. "To take on that cost ... is almost counterintuitive." Polian said agents have driven up the cost of the early picks, making it more difficult than ever for struggling franchises to improve. He said that cost can hamper teams for years, especially if they make a mistake on a pick or the player gets injured. "The draft was designed to either allow the weakest teams, based on record, to choose the best players, or if they chose not to take a particular player, to gather a bunch of picks to further accelerate their growth and competitiveness," he said. "That's now been skewed by the cost of the picks in the first round. "When that's skewed and changed because of the agents, that isn't a good thing for the game." Polian said the system also makes it difficult for a team drafting early to acquire pieces to put around the high pick. He said making the right pick is possible, but difficult. "What it can do, if you're fortunate enough to get a Peyton Manning, is it can change your franchise," he said. "It gives you a guy who can lead you to the promised land, can help you be a good team for a long time. If you miss on that pick, economics aside, you still set yourself back." Polian said he expects the system to change eventually. He said the league could change the pay scale or create a slotting system like the NBA has, creating a fixed rate for draft positions. But the current system, he feels, needs to be updated so the league can remain balanced. "Our game is based on competitive balance and the fact that every year, every franchise believes they can win, unlike other sports. You can go from worst to first in a year. "It's not about money, it's about the integrity of the game on the field." Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press Link

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02-26-2008, 02:50 AM	#2
wabbit Ring of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Aurora Posts: 5,449	The mandatory slotting would become a huge issue with the Players Union, but I agree the need is there for some kind of cap. The San Diego Chargers are a good example of what can happen to a team from extreme examples. In one extreme, the franchise takes Ryan Leaf second over-all and the failure sets back the franchsie for years. Then, in a couple of drafts, they land several truely impact players & they're vying for the Conference Championship. The hit & miss can be that whimsically successful...or wreak havoc with your franchise. Still, some kind of salary slotting seems necessary at this point, if for no other reason than to protect perennial losers from themselves, and the salary/cap hits that come with their yearly, monumental whiffs.

02-26-2008, 04:08 AM	#4
TexanBob Don't Argue With Me You Know I'm Right Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 5,023 Adopt-a-Bronco: Darris Nash	I guess if the Colts didn't want to spend for high draft choices, they wouldn't today have Manning, Freeney and Harrison. I'd say Polian is slamming the lack of a rookie cap because he's already got his big-money stars. And exactly how many franchises stay buried in the losing column year after year? Even the Bengals had a couple of playoff years. I'd say parity is alive and well. Only Arizona and Detroit fit the perennial losers label amd those two aren't that uncompetitive.

02-26-2008, 08:55 AM	#5
Rohirrim Partisan Human Cannonball Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Twixt Hell & Highwater Posts: 48,814	Polian is right. It's ridiculous to pay some kid $30 million based on his college career. You only need to review the success of Heisman winners in the pros to see the risk involved.

02-26-2008, 11:45 AM	#6
Kaylore 6-37, Raider fans. Yummy birds and snow! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ceti Alpha V Posts: 41,019 Adopt-a-Bronco: Wesley Duke	Every other sport has a salary cap for rookies. I don't see why the NFL doesn't. Reggie Bush became the highest paid back in the league when he was drafted. Looking at his production now that seems like a joke. Vernon Davis was the highest paid tight end at the time. At third highest he's a joke. These contracts are stupid.

02-26-2008, 12:21 PM	#7
brncs_fan How about some Tapenade! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: The Coaches Cradle...Eastern Illinois University Posts: 5,489 Adopt-a-Bronco: Manti Teo	I have to say that I agree with Polian on this one. That is why it is nice to not pick int the top 15 very often. You can get some quality guys that can come in and contribute for a lot less than many of the top ten "super prospects" that teams draft, put a bunch of money in, and have a hard time giving up on based on where they were drafted and how much money they are paying them when it is obvious that the guy is a bust. That's why i have always thought that high character guys who give you a solid performance are better selections in the draft than the guy with blown up college numbers who many can't see has bust written all over them (aka Reggie Bush).

02-26-2008, 12:32 PM	#8
-Slap- Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 31,895	Bill Polian handed Peyton Manning $48 million when he was a rookie. I guess that really sucked for him.

02-26-2008, 12:56 PM	#10
PRBronco FML less Join Date: May 2004 Location: North Vancouver Posts: 4,206 Adopt-a-Bronco: I'm so alone	I'm glad they're looking into this, it's just ridiculous the way the signing of rookies is carried out right now. A high draft pick is becoming less and less beneficial to struggling franchises, they gotta get that under control. Every time a rookie holds out, god kills a kitten

02-26-2008, 01:13 PM	#11
SpringStein Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Monument, CO Posts: 2,733	It will be tough to get the union to concede on this. The big paydays for rookies only drives up the pay for the vets (in their mind).

02-26-2008, 01:52 PM	#12
Paladin Ring of Famer Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 9,150	I suspect that this and other reasons will drive the owners to reject the CBA, and force the issues. The players may have to give some ground back to the owners because the slaries are getting gastonomical and hurts the overall image and viability of the league. I'd like to see the ticket prices retreat in costs, for example......

02-26-2008, 03:09 PM	#13
chaz highly touted recruit Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,455 Adopt-a-Bronco: Mr. Bruton	Polian is right, something has to change.

02-26-2008, 03:47 PM	#15
TheChamp24 DERP DERP DERP The Legend Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Broncos Country Posts: 4,874	I totally aggree with a salarp cap for how much rookies get paid. I think I mentioned it last year, but seriously, its ridiculous how much those high 1st rookies are getting paid. Like Klay said, Bush is one of the highest paid backs in the league, Vernon Davis for TE, heck because Dwayne Robertson was drafted so high he is the highest paid DT. lol

02-26-2008, 06:17 PM	#16
Bronco Jamus Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Denver Posts: 1,636	Rookies get payed too much period. There is no way an unproven talent should get paid more than proven vetran in the same position.