What bothers me about the draft...

[lmanchur.]

This seems to be a regular occurance in both the NBA and NFL drafts... players going into the draft only want to go to certain teams, or just have a list of teams that they don't want to go to.... like yesterday, whoever the team was traded away the top pick in the draft to another team because they couldn't sign Michael Vick.

Question -- WHY do they have to be signed before the draft???... is it just me, or is it A LOT simplier in "my sport" -- the NHL -- where rookies are just, simply, HAPPY to be drafted by a pro team. It doesn't matter by who.. they're just glad to be able to play in the greatest league for their specific sport!

The only "demand" by a player entering the NHL draft that I've ever, ever, EVER heard of, was that identical twins, Daniel & Henrick Sedin, wanted to be drafted by the same team... they didn't care which team -- as long as they stayed together.

I just don't understand the whole process... like this week with Vick... a few years ago in the NBA draft with Francis and Vancouver... I mean... shouldn't these guys just be happy to have a JOB?

Please explain! :)

[iFroggy]

Well, I am sure that they want to have a contract done just for insurance purposes. So this player cannot say screw it and stay out a year, etc.

[lmanchur.]

Originally posted by iFroggy
Well, I am sure that they want to have a contract done just for insurance purposes. So this player cannot say screw it and stay out a year, etc. Oh. I see. A lot different from hockey then where probably 90% or more of the players stay at the junior level for a year or two after the draft... its just that a pro team now owns their rights.

[PeterDewar]

Thats why I like the NHL and even MLB more then the NFL and NBA because of the minors system they have in place. It allows players to develop and play when its their time not be thrown into the Big Show in their respective league.

[Dragon]

I can see San Diego wanting to negotiate with Vick before the draft, to see what he felt was needed to sign him. San Diego just didn't want to spend that much money to sign a player that may not have an impact for 2-3 years. They already have Flutie, a pretty good pro QB. Ultimately, they passsed on Vick to get a player that will contribute immediately.

Taking a QB in the top five in the draft is a heavy responsibility for an NFL team. And the glamor of the position demands top dollar. You are pretty much betting the future of your franchise on this person. The cap hit alone for this player makes it nearly impossible to correct a mistake. Witness what SD just went through after getting boned with Ryan Leaf. They were stuck with a guy making all that money, being a major distraction for most of his career, rarely if ever making a positive contribution, and flat out being a poor investment of cap space.
If you hit it like Philly, Minnesota, and Cleveland did a few years ago, you get the general of your offense for the next decade. If you miss, as it looks like Cincy did with Smith, you are left signing a bargain basement starter while your bonus baby rides the pine, and your fans won't leave you forget it.

[Dre2g]

The thing that bothers me most about the NFL draft is that teams have too long to decide who they are gonna pick in the first round. I mean, you have 5-7 months to scout players, you shouldn't need another 15:00 to decide who you are gonna pick. It would speed the draft up much faster, and make it more interesting to watch.

[iFroggy]

Well, I think 15 minutes for the first round is fine. Don't forget, its not only player decisions, they are also considering/making trades.

[Marc]

Originally posted by March Madness
The thing that bothers me most about the NFL draft is that teams have too long to decide who they are gonna pick in the first round. I mean, you have 5-7 months to scout players, you shouldn't need another 15:00 to decide who you are gonna pick. It would speed the draft up much faster, and make it more interesting to watch.
I don't think the time limits in the first round are out of line. You may think you have selected the player you want, but what if he gets taken? You then have to carefully decide and determine who you want to draft. Remember, good drafting is crucial to a team's success and you can't just make a club make such an important decision in five minutes.

[Dre2g]

Ten minutes is still a little bit better. I didn't say it had to be 5 minutes.

[PeterDewar]

Either way time wise, I can't watch the draft beyond maybe the top 5 or 10 picks. Its just too boring for me to watch, especially day 2! Who cares who goes #152 overall, unless he is going to your favorite team ect.