Baseball Salary Cap?

To ensure competitive balance and to keep cost down, most leagues institute a salary cap, which is a limit on which a team can spend on player's salaries.  The NHL has a cap ranging from 40.7m-56.8m, the NFL 112m-127m and the NBA with a soft cap of 59million.  The MLB is currently one of the only large market sports without a salary cap. Teams like the Yankees and Braves have never missed the postseason under the new salary cap rule, while small market teams like the Pirates and Royals don't have the necessary funding means to compete.  The Tampa Bay Rays recently have put to rest this notion that small market teams can't compete with the "big boys" with 3 straight post season appearances including one American League Pennant. One fact to consider is that when the majority of their star players became free agents, they were almost forced to trade them or let them walk to different teams in order to save money.  With so much money in professional sports, there is indeed a way to strike up a prospective collective bargaining agreement in which teams can build around a set salary limit, so that every team has a fair chance to compete and sign/retain any player of their choice.

Cam Newton Draft Drama

                          As the NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, teams and fans are constantly starving for new information pertaining potential prospects from their physical attributes down to their mental makeup and IQ score.  Just recently Pro Football Weekly released its annual draft preview, and analyst Nolan Nawrocki laid some harsh unfair criticisms on Auburn quarterback Cam Newton.  He was quoted saying: "Very disingenuous -- has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup," Nawrocki wrote. "Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them. Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law -- does not command respect from teammates and will always struggle to win a locker room. ... Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness -- is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example."  This ties in with exactly what we were discussing regarding racism and discrimination.  It is reasonable to critique a players skill level, but Nawrocki went above and beyond attacking the personal character in integrity of Cam Newton that will undoubtedly damage his reputation at some level.  Former Quarterback Warren Moon who was one of the first black quarterbacks in the NFL spoke out against this, claiming that he is held to a double standard against prospective white quarterback prospects.  Cam Newton, like many other 21 year olds, have dealt with drama throughout their college career.  If draft analyst were to nitpick through every prospects personal lives they would find numerous areas of concern or question, but the fact of the matter is they are 21 year olds. No college student should be subjected to that type of unfair criticism.  The nature of Nawrocki's article made it obvious that he had some sort of hatred or stereo-type against Newton due to his flashy celebrant style of play and the way he conducts himself with media questioning.  It's sad that in this day of age we still find ourselves coming across blatant racism, even in journalism.

9. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys were supposed to make it to the 2011 Superbowl and play in their own stadium according to owner Jerry Jones. They fell just short of this goal...Actually they fell extremely short of this goal managing just 6 wins the whole season. Part of this can be attributed to the injury to quarterback Tony Romo, but their play was flat out pathetic all year long. The Cowboys certainly have the talent to succeed, but they lacked any hustle and effort in their play thus justifying Jerry firing Coach Wade Phillips halfway through the season.  A popular pick here is to select Offensive Tackle Tyrone Smith out of USC, who is drawing comparisons to Jets pro bowl lineman D'Brickashaw Fergason.  But Jerry Jones has never selected an offensive lineman in the first round and in most cases histoy tends to repeat itself. I think the smart safe pick here is cornerback Prince Amukamara from Nebraska. He can play the run, and is a shutdown corner against the pass and will beable to start from day 1 in dallas. Cornerback Mike Jenkins was the subject of numerous critisicms on sportscenter, constantly replaying plays where he gave little to no effort in pursuing tackles..its imperative that he is replaced.

                                   Prince Amukamara CB. Nebraska

8. Tennesse Titans

Tennesse has to play 4 games a year out of their 16 game schedule against the high powered offenses of the ndianapolis Colts and the Houston Texas.  Make no mistake this selection will be geared towards the defensive side of the ball. If Quinn is gone by pick number 8, Nick Fairley will be Tennesse's number one target.  Once thought of as the sure fire number one pick in the draft, Fairley experianced a bit of a drop off in his stock, as his measurables at the combine werent ideal for a defensive tackle.  But anyone who watched him in the National Championship game single handedly dismantal the Oregon Ducks high octane offense knows this guy has a mean streak and will make a solid living in the NFL.  It should also be noted that Tennesse's new defensive line coach, Tracy Rocker, coaches Fairley at Auburn.

Nick Fairley DT. Auburn

7. San Franciso 49ers

Perhaps the most dissapointing team in the NFL, the 49ers greatley underachieved in a year where most thought they would run away with the NFC West crown.  Due to an 0-5 start the 49ers were never able to recover and limped their way to the finish line with a 6-10 record.  With Jim Harbough brought in from Standford to be the new head coach, expect a lot of changes to be made.  This team has some serious talent, Tight End Vernon Davis and Middle Linebacker Patrick Willis are arguably the best players at their respective positions, while Frank Gore is a consistant pro bowl running back.  They addressed their offensive line last draft by selecting Mike Iutupi and Anthony Davis in the first round, and both look to be potential studs.  In the NFL the most important position is the signal caller and that is what San Franciso has been lacking since the days of Jeff Garcia and Steve Young scrambling and making plays from the pocket.  This pick should and will be Blaine Gabbert..if he is available. Gabbert possess a cannon of an arm, and has earned gushing reviews from scouts and analysts all around the country, most notibly Trent Dilfer and Matt Millin.  He can potentially provide for a Joe Flacco/Matt Ryan type impact, and would step into a great situation in San Francisco.

Blaine Gabbert QB. Missouri

6. Cleveland Browns

The Browns finished the 2011 season strong on a high note, beating the Patriots, and giving numerous other teams close finishing games.  They have a lot of promise on the offensive side of the ball with emerging star running back Peyton Hillis, and 2nd year quarterback Colt McCoy.  One specific area of need is wide reciever. The Browns have virtualy no weapons to go vertical down the field and make plays, and lack a serious possession option as well. In a perfect world, the Browns will have their choice of picking either Wide out AJ Green or Patrick Peterson, but they will more than likley be off the board by the time their selection comes up.  So this selection will probably come down to two players, either Robert Quinn of UNC or Julio Jones of Alabama. Colt McCoy needs more weapons, and Jones had an amazing combine, running a 4.45 40 on an injured foot, and possess a serious combination of size and speed. He has some issues with concentration and their are concerns about his hands, but he is a solid receiving prosepct.  Quinn, like Jones is a combine warrior, who possess the size and speed to be a serious pass rushing threat in the league and offers as much upside as any player in the draft. Ultimatley I believe the pick will be Quinn, as the team is transitioning to a 4-3 defense and will need to adress their week linebacking situation.

                          Robert Quinn LB/DE. North Carolina

5. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals can go one of two directions here.  They can go the defensive route and select Patrick Peterson of L.S.U or Robert Quinn from UNC or take a shot at Missouri quarterback Blane Gabbert. Peterson would be the safest pick. An imposing 6'1 210, with kick returner speed, he is the most impressive defensive back prospect to come out since Charles Woodson or Champ Bailey, and would certainly improve their horendus pass defense.  Quinn would be a boom or bust pick, but can potentially become a annual double diget sack master.  Larry Fitzgerald requested a trade for a proven quarterback, so it would be foolish for Arizona to ignore his demands and select a rookie that will take 3-4 years to develope.  My best bet is that they will target either Donovan McNabb or Marc Bulger to takeover for Derek Anderson.  The choice will and should be Patrick Peterson.  He is perhaps the best overall player in this class, but cornerbacks are hardley taken in the top 4 (Deion Sanders explained this himself saying that teams can avoid throwing to their side). There is a possibilty that Arizona trades this pick to Philadelphia for Kevin Kolb, who Fitzgerald requested targeting.

Patrick Peterson CB. LSU