can't society and all the ills you mention have merit AND ALSO
that running backs are getting screwed by the nature of their
job?
And if someone does not like what they are getting paid
then they can strike? And if they are replaced by lesser
players teams will feel it and whine about not having
a good running back but?
This is not a free market---the NFL is a cartel, a bunch
of different owners acting as a monopoly and have
anti-trust protection from Congress...meaning that
they can act in a monopolistic fashion with no consequences.
That alone removes any nothing of a Adam Smith invisible
hand market.
Now, in this job limited job market all jobs are different.
Extremely talented players, whether they are elite or
average do riskier work that anyone else on the field.
RUnning backs have the shortest careers of any position.
So, the new CBA, which fans LOVED because rookies
didn't get paid a ton of money anymore and no holdouts
screws one set of players, running backs.
The vet NFL players loved it too, because more money for
them in their 2nd and 3rd contracts
So, a linemen, QB, WR, LB, DB even kicker...if they are good
this controlled market treats them fairly they can get paid
big money on 2nd contract. And 3rd if they are good enough
and are healthy enough.
These are no longer options for running backs. One-analytics
show that the difference between an elite back and an average
back is less than any other back suggesting that they are fungible.
Two, the get hurt and like Gurley by the time they have their first
contract come up 4-5 years in they are used up because they get
hit 20 time a game on carriers, 3-4 more on catches and 10-15 more
on pass protection and do it at high speed in open field.
It's a fact their careers are the shortest.
So, I ask you -- is the system fair?
The CBA does not allow the RBs to get paid what they are worth
when they are at their peak.
It was an unforeseen complication. And because it was unforeseen
(Analytics driven, nature of the changing game) there should be
an adjustment allowed.
Play this out...RBs don't get paid. Running backs are great athletes
they can play other positions, some of them ... maybe not all
but they go to college and Nick Saban cannot get the best
RB in nation because he won't play RB in college because
he won't get paid in NFL.
Multiply that all over the nation. Lesser athletes will play runningback
because that is all that is left. Lesser RBs get drafted (all in the 5-6-7 round)
and then analytics find out there is a big difference between
an average RB and elite one at that point.
The product suffers and fans get screwed.
So, now I ask what not recognize the realities of the situation and make
your employees happy to treat them more fairly?
Obviously, I respect your opinion and 21dogs and you see all this
differently and that is of course your right.
However, I have some compassion for these guys. Through no fault
of their own they are not allowed to get paid like the rest of the team.
A RB with great talent, 21-year-old Marshall Fauk comes out of
a big school--a guy who will rush for 1000 cach pass for 700
and block like a beast and he is taken in the mid-1st, rather than top 5
because his position is not as valuable as it once was.
So, some crappy QB who is taken 3rd overall gets paid more. Positional
value don't you know.
The "Faulk" wants more money because he knows he will be Pro Bowl
rookie then All-Pro, etc...team says, "No you get paid according to your
slot, that is what the CBA says".
"But by the time my second contract comes up my next 4 years will not
be as good as by first 4 years (think Todd Gurley) and you won't give
me a big second contracts (think Todd Gurley) and teams says
screw you.
That is no way to run a business that relies on 53 men, 22 starters
and that paids kickers, on average $200-300K more than RBs.
That isn't fair, they job description is different. Their career path is limited.
But they are VITAL to the product.
Nah, they need to do something if this is not addressed. If they strike
they strike...the owners need to think about their business long-term.
No Derrick Henry stiff-arming people? No future McCaffrey's running
receiving, passing?
I simply cannot agree with the RBs getting screwed. Fairness is the key
to life, IMO. Fairness and equity.
