Goodell wants change in rookie pay

June 28, 2008

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said it's "ridiculous" to reward untested rookies with lucrative contracts and wants the issue addressed in contract talks. "There's something wrong about the system," Goodell said yesterday. "The money should go to people who perform." Goodell referred to Michigan tackle Jake Long's five-year, $57.75 million contract - with $30 million guaranteed. Long was the first overall draft pick by the Miami Dolphins in April. "He doesn't have to play a down in the NFL and he already has his money," Goodell said during a question-and-answer period at the end of a weeklong sports symposium at the Chautauqua (N.Y.) Institution.

Bills running back Marshawn Lynch had his driver's license revoked in traffic court after saying he didn't know he hit someone while driving on a Buffalo street last month. Administrative Law Judge Thomas Gagola found Lynch's behavior May 31 "constituted a reckless disregard of human life or property." He also imposed a $150 fine after Lynch pleaded guilty to failure to exercise due care toward a pedestrian.

Orioles righthander Matt Albers is likely done for the season after an MRI on his ailing shoulder revealed a torn labrum. He must decide between rehabilitating the shoulder, which would sideline him for at least two months, or opting for surgery and be out eight or nine months . . . Brett Tomko rejoined the San Diego Padres, six days after he was waived by the Royals . . . Royals utility infielder Alberto Callaspo was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The Toronto Maple Leafs put former Bruins goaltender Andrew Raycroft on unconditional waivers and will buy out the final year of his contract. He was due to earn $2.2 million next season . . . The Anaheim Ducks placed Todd Bertuzzi on unconditional waivers and intend to buy out the final year of his contract.

Dan Walsh of Norwalk, Conn., and Northeastern and Wyatt Allen of Portland, Maine, were named to the 45-person roster selected to the US Olympic rowing team. Walsh and Allen will be in the eight with three-time Olympian Bryan Volpenhein, Marcus McElhenney, Josh Inman, Steven Coppola, Micah Boyd, Beau Hoopman, and Matt Schnobrich . . . The Bulgarian weightlifting team withdrew from the upcoming Olympics after 11 of its athletes tested positive for the steroid methandienone during out-of-competition checks June 8-9 . . . A severe storm damaged the Qwest Center and forced hundreds of swimmers practicing for the US Olympic trials, which open tomorrow, to evacuate the pools. Al Berndt, assistant director of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, said damage to the Qwest Center appeared to be repairable and likely wouldn't halt the trials . . . Swimmers and track and field athletes will be blood-tested at trials as part of the US Anti-Doping Agency's ramped-up program to catch drug cheats.

Top horse trainer Steve Asmussen faces a long suspension after being notified that Timber Tick, who won the third race at Lone Star Park in Austin, Texas, May 10, tested positive for lidocaine, the Texas Racing Commission said. Asmussen, who trains 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin, will have a split specimen tested . . . Ohio University hired Ohio State assistant John Groce as its men's basketball coach to replace Tim O'Shea . . . Asjha Jones scored 8 of her team-high 30 points in overtime to lead the host Connecticut Sun to a 109-101 win over the Atlanta Dream (0-14) . . . World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev completely tore his Achilles' tendon while sparring, forcing the cancellation of his title rematch with Nikolai Valuev in Germany July 5 . . . The first Massachusetts Vocational Senior Bowl football game will be held tonight at 7 at Greater New Bedford.