Unsigned draft picks...........

[#1DeMecoRyansFan]

I mean u look at a guy like Andre Smith who was lucky to get drafted at the 6th pick as he is screwed in the head in some ways and just quite frankly is NOT that great of a talent

Andre Smith is an awesome talent who has bad work out ethic and has made some very, very stupid choices over the past year. IF (big if, literally and figuratively) he gets his head on straight he is a 10 year starter in the league. Not too sure if that will happen though.

[larkin's_redlegs]

I thought if Smith signed early (that point is way past for me), he would've been a staple on the Bengals line for years. Marvin would've been all up in his business if he didn't show any type effort. Now, I think he will probably be out of shape, start midseason, and end up on the injury list because he didn't work out properly when it counted (in the offseason). Honestly, I hope the Bengals don't sign him. Whit has got the LT spot locked. He's one of the most athletic lineman in the NFL. Collins can play RT. He's shown he can play starting in the later half of last season and he never disappointed as far as I'm concerned. If Smith does sign and comes in with incredible work ethic and in great shape, then move Whit to guard and kick Livings out of there. Livings is pretty good, but he just seems small and a little too inexperienced. The difference is Livings is putting in the effort, while Smith is bargaining for more money.

[troyer16]

good lord, use periods please.

[dfr52]

I thought if Smith signed early (that point is way past for me), he would've been a staple on the Bengals line for years. Marvin would've been all up in his business if he didn't show any type effort. Now, I think he will probably be out of shape, start midseason, and end up on the injury list because he didn't work out properly when it counted (in the offseason). Honestly, I hope the Bengals don't sign him. Whit has got the LT spot locked. He's one of the most athletic lineman in the NFL. Collins can play RT. He's shown he can play starting in the later half of last season and he never disappointed as far as I'm concerned. If Smith does sign and comes in with incredible work ethic and in great shape, then move Whit to guard and kick Livings out of there. Livings is pretty good, but he just seems small and a little too inexperienced. The difference is Livings is putting in the effort, while Smith is bargaining for more money.

Great post. I think you are right about the first scenario w/ Smith.

[newcombe]

They are a couple of cry babies who have the oportunity to make more money than their parents ever did and they are wasting their time pouting about not getting a couple of million extra for their "services". Go out, sign the contract, and play! As a teacher, I sign a contract every year and if I tried holding out for more $$$, they would tell me to take a hike. There is a salary system to draft picks and it's simply not realistic that a guy is gonna get more $$$ if he was drafted lower. Quit whinning, go play and prove you are worth more $$$.

[DanielSweeney]

Maybin signed.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/traini...ory?id=4413437

[dfr52]

They are a couple of cry babies who have the oportunity to make more money than their parents ever did and they are wasting their time pouting about not getting a couple of million extra for their "services". Go out, sign the contract, and play! As a teacher, I sign a contract every year and if I tried holding out for more $$$, they would tell me to take a hike. There is a salary system to draft picks and it's simply not realistic that a guy is gonna get more $$$ if he was drafted lower. Quit whinning, go play and prove you are worth more $$$.

Occasionally teachers do have to strike though to get better pay and benefits but they aren't fighting to get millions though.lol

[newcombe]

Occasionally teachers do have to strike though to get better pay and benefits but they aren't fighting to get millions though.lol

Actually, in many states there are laws against teachers striking. This is due in part to the fact that most, if not all, public schools have some form of federal or state funding. They also may have a retirement plan through the state making them, in essense, an employee of the state. What happens is teachers continue to work if a deal hasn't been reached. They operate ounder the current exired contract until an agreement is reached. After a deal is reached, the school makes pays the teachers under the new deal plus any additional wages or the difference in salary increase evenly distributed over the course of the fiscal year.

[brandonbarnett]

Actually, in many states there are laws against teachers striking. This is due in part to the fact that most, if not all, public schools have some form of federal or state funding. They also may have a retirement plan through the state making them, in essense, an employee of the state. What happens is teachers continue to work if a deal hasn't been reached. They operate ounder the current exired contract until an agreement is reached. After a deal is reached, the school makes pays the teachers under the new deal plus any additional wages or the difference in salary increase evenly distributed over the course of the fiscal year.

Really is that the same in all or most states??

[DanielSweeney]

Really is that the same in all or most states??

States vary based on their own laws regarding public employees.

Moot point, really though. Football teams are privately owned. They generate millions of dollars. The players (especially the ones taken high in the draft) have leverage that most of us don't have. To compare them to any other job is looking at apples and oranges.