Posted Thurdsday/October 7, 1999; 2:08 p.m. PDT

The NFL is so rule-laden that it there would be one to prevent rookie holdouts. No other sport has so many rookies demanding to make “more money” before

Ryan Leaf

they have even proven they can play at the pro level, right Ryan Leaf? Each pre-season, more and more training camps are disrupted by rookies that haven’t played a down, and want to be OVER compensated before they do, huh Akili Smith? There is nothing more aggravating than 22-year olds that won’t come to work because they aren’t getting paid enough for something they haven’t done yet! Then they don’t perform the way they are expected since so much of the integral training designed to prepare them for the pro level has been missed. This in turn throws off team chemistry, which leads to a mediocre season, which ultimately leads to “next year.” Right, Ryan Leaf?

The NFL needs to institute an “I’m NOT The Man” rule. A rule that protects teams and Fans from guys that think they are entitled to call the shots just because they were stars in college. Guys that insist on getting paid as much as they possibly can before contributing one iota to the organization.

Ricky: The Exception.

Guys that demand to be compensated for what they have the “potential” of doing before they actually do it. Guys that oftentimes CAN’T do what they’ve been OVER PAID to do, yet spend the money.

What about a rule that makes it mandatory for rookies (and veterans come to think of it, Joey Galloway) to have the terms of their contract worked out by a certain date? If that date is not met, then they simply are not under contract and can’t play that season. A rule that says, “If you want to play, make sure that you’re deal is worked out 30 days before the opening of training camp.” A closed-end rule.

It’s the open-endedness that is jacking up the system. Without an “I’m NOT The Man” rule, rookies and veterans will continue to holdout and based on what they think they are GONNA do. The absence of a deadline causes holdouts to turn into “hold ups” that cut into precious training camp time. Timing and chemistry aren’t properly formed in camp and many teams go into the regular season not nearly as sharp as they could if they had 100% participation in camp. Sloppy football follows and the Fans wind up footing the bill as always.

Teams need to quit paying players based on what they are GONNA do. The Official Sports Fan Union needs help lobbying the NFL for the “I’m NOT The Man” rule. Better yet, let’s just call it the “Ricky Williams Exception”.

You The Man!