NFL Rookie Pay Scale

The Counselor is IN: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has stated that the current money being thrown at early first round rookies is "ridiculous". It is hard to disagree with him. When you have Jake Long becoming the highest paid Offensive Lineman as a rookie with $30 million guaranteed on a $57.75 million contract over 5 years. The Players Association appears to find the idea of a Rookie Player Scale as a point of contention. They believe the market is dictating the rookie salaries. They are willing to fight for the salaries of their rookie players. My big question to the Players Associations is "Why not support the veterans?" If you limit the money for the rookies, then you have more money for the veteran players. The NFL salary cap not only has a maximum but also a minimum salary. So if the cash is not being set aside for escalating rookie salaries, then it has to go to the veterans. I am not sure if this point is lost on the Players Union or not. The Counselor is OUT: