Why do you think veteran players always hazes the rookies? Big signing bonuses without even playing yet? What?
101280
It's largely tradition and it happens at just about every level of every sport and has nothing to do with big money, because it's been going on long before such things as signing bonuses of any size even existed.\n\nPart of the process is because being involved in sports is being part of a select club and there are certain things you have to go through to be accepted into the club ... just like joining a college fraternity or sorority. It's not about earning respect for the older players or even putting the younger players in their place, but about being part of the team and going through a common experience (as hazing rituals often stay the same on teams for many years) so that you can say you have been accepted and made part of this "club".
821686
Brett at 50 is still going to be one of the best in the game. They guy should stay as long as he wants. He's a three time MVP, a leader, and a football player until he dies. His arm is sharp, his mental awareness is still good. He just needs a line and a supportive running game. Look at John Elway, as his career got longer they took a lot of the pressure off of Elway by giving  him a great running game. That is not happening for Brett, he's still carrying the entire team. He's a little past his prime to be carrying a bunch of lazy players. And on top of it all his line is lucky to give him 2-3 seconds in the pocket. He's almost running like David Carr is in Houston. And his running game is just horrible! With a better team around him, Brett will be back, if not I'm sure he'll retire. But like I said, he's still one of the best in the game. Just like Junior Seau, Mark Brunell, and Orlando Pace. Old men who just have football in their blood - they are all still great, just a bit past their prime.
789060
No,  its stupid in my humble  fan opinion.      As the great Steve Young says you never pull a veteran QB unless your hopes of the playoffs are gone.   And the broncos are still in the hunt....WIll they still be?  TIme will tell....Im saying no......Because teams will go hard after the rookie.......He may have looked good in preseason but that was preseason......And alot of the time he was partly running with the second string....The game is so fast and Denver runs a very complicated offense......For people who expect the kid to just go in and be an instant star are wrong.    I wouldn't be surprised if he had a really terrible game on Sunday that some broncos fans would be calling for him to be benched...some fans are so fickle.....In my humble opinion Plummer was the  best shot......But what do I know?   Ex Broncos like Terrell Davis are saying its a big mistake to pull JPlummer  out.   People are quick to forgot that the broncos were one step away from the superbowl last year.......Plummer  didn't lose it for them...The defense did.......
1071889
It wasn't so much a bad draft talent-wise...it's just that the level of talent can't compete with that of years past. We've been lucky in the past few years to see the introduction of future superstars such as Lebron, Carmelo, Bosh, Wade, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Amare, etc...to enter the League. Keep in mind that in years past high school stars were allowed to enter the draft...so this year's draft was filled with entries who would have probably stayed in school longer had high schoolers been allowed to enter the draft (this esp. holds true for the big men..we all know Oden is only staying one year at Ohio State, so many college post players sought to "sell themselves" while their stock was still high."\n\nThis year's draft reminds me a lot of the 2000 NBA Draft - certainly less than stellar talent all around and much of it was just one big guessing game. The first 5 picks in that year's draft were: Kenyon Martin, Stromile Swift, Darius Miles, Marcus Fizer, and Mike Miller. Some more obscure/unproductive players that teams picked in the first round of that years draft - Demarr Johnson, Jerome Moiso, Jason Collier, Donnell Harvey, Dalibor Bagaric, Mamadou N'diaye, Erick Barkley, and Mark Madsen. The most productive players (aside from K-mart) to come out of that draft are...Desmond Mason, Q-Rich, Jamaal Magliore, and Michael Redd. 5 Impact players out of 58 players drafted. I would like to hope that this year's draft netted more productive players for their respective teams..yet at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if they just turned out to be a bunch of average NBA players...definitely better than the rookies from the 2000 Draft though.
293550
Pushing the age up to 20 to enter into the NBA is a farce...Not to mention it's illegal. I'm not from the States, nor did I study American contract law, but if it's anything like Canadian contract law, a person can sign a legally binding contract at the age of 18.  There is no other reason to bump up the age for the aforementioned reasons (older NBA players losing their jobs, "better education", better conditioning), but I honestly think that the NCAA has put pressure on the NBA, because the NCAA is losing out on a lot of money too when these "can't miss high school" phenoms jump right to the NBA.  Just think how many LeBron James UNC, UConn, UCLA, whatever college he would have attended for 2 years jerseys would have sold, not to mention the TV revenues it would have generated, and that goes for all the other players too.  I'm just waiting until this one gets to court.  If the age increase is upheld...I'd have to take a serious look at the court systems....lol  It's not the players' fault that all these NBA teams are drafting them right out of high school.  Keep in mind too, that with the NEW D-League not withstanding, the NBA doesn't really have a minor league to "raise" their players, like the NHL or MLB.  Personally I think the age should have stayed at 18, but introduce a much better minor league, that way, everyone is happy.  I'll get off my soapbox now...lol  \nAnd for the guy below that thinks I'm an idiot, so you're telling me then an 18 year old is NOT allowed to sign a legally binding contract in the USA.  He can vote, he can go to war and put his life on the line for your country, but he can't play in the NBA.  If the players aren't physically or mentally ready to play in the NBA, shouldn't that be a decision made by the GMs and coaching staffs?  After all, your government thinks they are physically and mentally fit to join the forces, why not the NBA?  I have a number of friends who are in the American Army who have spent time in Iraq, and I'm sure they would tell you it's a little more demanding than the NBA.  If the kid isn't ready for the NBA then don't draft him.  Just for arguments sake, what if Kobe, T-Mac, LeBron, M.Malone, etc  go to college, because they were forced to,  suffer a career ending injury in those 2 "mandatory years" and don't see a dime.  What then?  Fall back on an education, after they lose their scholarship because they can't play basketball?  Would the NBA be prepared to pay compensation damages for lost wages, because that player actually was ready to play in the NBA after high school.  After all, don't Americans sue for everything?
919890
HE OVERSPENT WHEN HE BOUGHT THE TEAM.  He cannot afford players.   So, you are stuck with the virtual rebuilding.  They will come close then as the players get better he will sell them for a new rebuilding campaign
654055
It's called "Rookie League" because that's where players taken in the Amateur Draft usually start out (Rookie League seasons start much later than Class A).  Rookie League is also where long-term "project" players (who have potential but need a lot of work) get sent and players recovering from severe injury (such as torn rotator cuffs) do rehab stints to slowly build back up.
798030
When you are on the college level, it rarely matters what year you are. The smarter and more talented players will get more playing time. Most freshman do not get a lot of playing time because they still have a lot to learn and are not familiar with the plays. \n\nThere are a lot of impact freshman that are highly talented and will start throughout college.\n\nAnd yes, It is easier to play as you gain experience on that level. You learn from your teamates and become familiar with your assignments and what other teams will do.
864153
A healthy rookie RB playing behind an experienced line on a team that has such a passing threat is bound to do well.  Not to take anything away from him, but we'll need a few more seasons out of him to figure out what he really is.  For now, he's a rookie and the opposing teams have not yet had a chance to see him in action and account for the way he runs.
637158
Some players realise there's more than playing for a "better" club, its called LOYALTY!\n\nIts just a shame that more players dont have any of this and just follow the smell of cash and glory...
632397
WE HAVE ENOUGH EXPERIENCE PLAYERS IN TEAM.\n\nAND WE SHOULD MAKE THE NEW PLAYERS EXPERIENCED ONES.\n\nAND.....THE DUCK IS A DUCK.\n\nEEVEN IF IT'S HIT BY A EXPERIENCED PLAYER OR NEW COMER.
642904
NHL teams are starting to see that drafting players while they are still in Juniors (ages 16-19) is too risky.  They don't want to waste their picks on players that do not pan out or players that they cannot sign.\n\nJunior players are using the junior leagues as a showcase for colleges.  Junior leagues are becoming more and more popular here in the US.  When I was growing up, Junior leagues were only in Canada or near the US / Canadian border. \n\nOur local Junior team in the Northeast (NEJHL) has several local players that have been recuited to Division 1 colleges.  Division 1 colleges are taking less players straight out of HS hockey, and more players after a year or so of junior.  You see more and more 19 and 20 year old freshmen playing for BU, BC, Michigan, etc.\n\nNHL teams see this trend as an opportunity to draft more "seasoned" talent.  Instead of drafting a 18 year old kid out of HS or juniors, they'll draft of 20 or 21 year old who has played 2 years of junior and 1 or 2 years of Division 1 college hockey.
1171756
I cannot recall when a draft looked as weak as the one coming up. Based upon a lot of reading and research (as I'm very curious who my Chicago Bulls will be taking) the consensus seems to be that Brandon Roy is the most polished player. He has 4 years of college experience under his belt, which gives him a slight advantage over the 'so called' players with potential.
641707
first off draft was on saturday, and you posted this 2 hours ago. either you live on the moon and get late brodcasting. or you were in coma and just woke up. reggie bush should of been picked 1st, but the texans had a different team need. they already had a long term qb, so they wouldnt sign cutler, young, or leinart. i thought they should pick bush but no deal. it actually doesnt really matter, bush should have gone first no matter who was drafting first. why would you move up to the first pick to draft someone different?
1037
Geez... where to begin? Same reason a few good goalies have not done well in Chicago last few years. No defense, no heart on team, bad ownership... too many negatives. I have been going to games since I was 5 and I am 34 now. It certainly is not a franchise the way it used to be. Its a young team too.
1144300
If an athlete is good enough to leave early and can get drafted in the earlier rounds in the draft, then its a no brain-er.  But stay healthy and  of trouble and hire a good agent.  Besides, a simple degree wont make you the big money unless you further you education as seen with law school, medical school, masters programs...etc
594435
For the most part, the player realizes that they're not going to get the money in that last year or two of a long-term contract. It's more or less just a BS way of stroking a players ego and giving his agent the claim that he got so-and-so a hundred and forty million dollar contract, even thought it's a normal, going rate contract for five years and then a sixth year roster bonus of 97 million that the player will never collect. I'm glad that the NFL hasn't gone to guaranteed contracts, because I think it would hurt the game. I would, however, like to see some changes made. Maybe making contracts limited to a maximum of three or four years?