As we whittle it down... the fine point of the stick becomes how they
try to change things. Not whether they should or shouldn't. And that becomes knowing the difference between what you can change and what you cant, and how you go about changing what you can.
Yes, I'd tell my son if he were one of them: Go to the players union and ask for new rules on how rookie contracts are written. The way the rules are written gives running backs the short end of the stick. Let all rookies sign for one or two years, not three, with different player-friendly renewal options on a first contract, for example. Get together with agents representing running backs. Change the way agents do business negotiating RB contracts with owners. And for goodness sake, in the interest of safety that protects both knees and heads, go to public and to the league and ask for rules that get more of those exciting Jon Arnett, Marshall Faulk, Harold Jackson runs back into the game, and let exciting runners have an effect on the field that in turn creates more salary demand.
But don't walk out on a contract you signed. Not even for a game. Not unless you're retiring.
