The problem is that there is always an owner willing to pay the steep price, which just drive the going rate higher for the next guy. Same with Free Agent, there's always some that will sign guys like Pacman Jones.

Contracts should be strictly incentive based, with a minimal base salary. If you perform, you'll get what you deserve. If you take plays off, you should get penalized.

Here's what the NHL has done with rookies.

This just in with FIRST OVERALL SELECTION, Steven Stamkos with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He signed the minimum plus bonuses.

Base of $875K. Maybe by NFL standards that could be jacked to 1M or even 1.5M, then bonuses. That sounds reasonable then vets their cash they earned over time. Not $8M guaranteed for not having stepped on the field.

This kid had an amazing year in the OHL. He deserves a helluva a loit more than $875K. But he's got to prove at a pro level he can do it. That's what NFL rookies should do also. Not fadeout like Andre Ware, Troy Davis and Ryan Leaf to name a few...