Goodell acknowledged both the league and the union have things they want to improve onGETTY IMAGES
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said there have been some "very positive discussions" between the league and the NFLPA on a new CBA, and the "respect that we want to have is to keep those discussions in the room and with each other." Appearing on ESPN prior to the start of the NFL Draft on Thursday, Goodell said, "We have a very good collective bargaining agreement. We each have things that we want to try to improve on, and I'm sure we will and those discussions should happen in the room. Then, hopefully, we'll come up with something that will continue to lead this game into the future in partnership with our players" ("NFL Draft Countdown," ESPN, 4/25).
ROOKIE DUTIES: In N.Y., Ken Belson noted while the two sides are "only starting to make their priorities clear, they are likely to at least consider revising the rookie pay scale, the length of rookie contracts and other elements in the agreement that could affect veterans trying to secure second contracts." The potential changes in the next CBA "stem partly from the decision" in '11 to "significantly reduce the amount that top draft picks can earn in their first contract." Limiting the value of rookie contracts "left more money for veterans' contracts" because of how NFL teams "operate under a salary cap." However, some players and player advocates are "questioning whether the issue of rookie contracts needs to be revisited because the current terms unfairly penalize some of the best young players in the game." There are also "other issues, including work rules about when teams can contact players in the offseason and how often coaches can hold full-contact practices." Sources said though that the status of rookie contracts is "likely to be a big talking point." Sources said that the "priority" is "not so much a player's first contract but his second" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/25).
