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Rivers needs to be in camp
COMMENT: Why can't the Bengals get first-rounders in camp on time?
BLOG: Chick Ludwig at training camp
Monday, August 04, 2008
GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Every year on NFL draft day, I hear the Cincinnati Bengals' first-round pick say he plans to be at training camp on time.
Good thing it's a teleconference call from Paul Brown Stadium's media room because I immediately stick my right hand over my mouth to muffle the laughter.
What I should be doing is sticking my index finger in my open mouth in a mock-gagging gesture because the player's veiled promise is often a lie.
Since I began covering the club in 1997, the only two first-rounders here on time were wide receiver Peter Warrick (2000) and quarterback Carson Palmer (2003).
Cornerback Johnathan Joseph (2006) signed the night the team arrived at camp and he missed the first meeting, so he doesn't count.
This year, it was University of Southern California linebacker Keith Rivers' turn to utter those words. I wanted to tell Keith: "Don't make me laugh — uncontrollably."
I warned Bengals fans negotiations weren't going to be easy because, as it stands right now, the 2010 season will be played without a salary cap.
A contract's length, signing bonus, yearly salaries and escalator clauses shouldn't be rocket science. But it always is.
To alleviate the hassle, and avoid a Rivers-style holdout, which reached eight days on Sunday, Aug. 3, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell favors a rookie salary slotting system.
Goodell visited Bengals training camp at Georgetown College on Saturday, met with players and joined the team for brunch before he jetted back to Canton for the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies.
The trouble with a rookie salary slotting system is "it has to be collectively bargained," Goodell said. It's a big issue for the owners and players' union, but one that must be tackled and resolved.
"Something is wrong with the system and we have to address it," Goodell said. "I think it's better for the players, the teams and, most important, for the fans. It's a disservice when players aren't in camp."
And that's not all, folks.
Imagine how a proven veteran feels about the New York Jets handing rookie defensive end Vernon Gholston (the No. 6 pick) a 5-year, $50 million contract with $21 million guaranteed before he even plays a down?
"Veteran leadership suffers when you have rookies being paid more than veterans," Goodell said. "They feel more uncomfortable about asserting the leadership they should in the locker room."
Until a rookie salary slotting system takes effect, players will remain puppets controlled by their agents, who get three percent of the players' bonus and salary.
To convince clients they're working hard for them, agents hold 'em out.
There's nothing wrong with attempting to squeeze a few more bucks out of a club. But at this late stage, the agent isn't doing his client any favors. He could be ruining a player's career before it ever gets started.
Contact this reporter at 225-2253 or cludwig@coxohio.com.
Monday's practices
What: Bengals training camp
Times: 9 to 11 a.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: Georgetown (Ky.) College
Comments
By ëàìèíàò
August 13, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
rbq Een plaatje zegt alles, toch ? efs Het volledige rapport is hier te vinden. Lees natuurlijk g de blogposting. f c Thanks for interesting post! okl ëàìèíàò êóïèòü 5t
By Ron
August 4, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
I agree a rookie cap is needed, the salaries are out of control and teams with high draft picks don’t really get better because they spend so much on unproven players. The players union may agree to it if it means more money for veterans. Agents are the ones that would be most against it, and I don’t think they get to vote.
I don’t really blame the Bengals on this hold out, 8th and 9th spot were bad spots to pick and there’s rift in talent and salary.
By Larry
August 4, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
NFL adopted a policy for the minimum amount cap, it was affectionately known as the Cincinnati Bengals, AKA, Mike Brown rule. Mike would attempt to sign the top free agents & they wanted no part of Mike Brown family that runs the team. He wouldn’t sign anyone and pocket the money. Hamilton Co. Commissioners were going to sue Mike Brown for breach of contract for not fielding a completive team. NFL legal counsel advised Mike that there was no way he would win the suit, we got Marvin Lewis.
By donny
August 4, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
I agree with Mark No Cap Means Cincy might get 2 at most 3 wins per year. They have proven that they will not spend the money
By Steven Ross
August 4, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
Groundhog Day all over again. Nothing should surprise anyone. Simply consider the source of our ineptitude for 17 long years.
By dsto
August 4, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
Wanted: The Bengals have been pressured for years and years to change the way they do things up and down the line. They have not had success in any area of football and the fans and the media alike have called for heads to roll, have begged for the ownership to hire quality people, have screamed for a compettive team to no avail. I like my home team Bengals, but I will never expect anything but mediocity at best from them until they start acting like a profesional football team.
By Wanted: dead or alive - Bengals GM
August 4, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Why hasn’t there been media pressure for the Bengals to hire a “real” GM. Lughead makes it seem that it’s the agents and players fault that players can’t get to camp with a contract. One winning season in 17 years. Two 1st-rd draft pick signed before camp in 17 years. Come on Lughead, it’s not rocket science. Write (and continue to write) about the Bungles getting a GM, please!
By charles
August 4, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
what is next ? pay perview super bowl or no tv games that are free or $200 tickets to pay for the players salary no other profession pay any where near that so lets say the get 50 million make the pay a doc 10 million for doctor visits i agree that it do take a toll but lets keep it fair a cap does that to a extent
By Mark
August 4, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
It is apparent that the agents are holding their players out because of lenght of contracts. If the league goes to no salary cap, then the league is over to a degree for smaller market teams such as the Bengals. It will look just like baseball, on the large markets in the playoffs. We’ll get to see the Boston, NY, Dallas, and maybe ?? whoever else will buy every player they can get scenario. I’ll quit watching, that’s 4 sure !