Vets could join Goodell's drive to limit rookies' pay

0 Comments | USA TODAY, August, 2008 | by Tom Pedulla

Veteran players could prove to be allies of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in his efforts to scale back rookie salaries.

"There's a lot of guys who have come out and haven't done much," New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith said. "Then you have older guys who have been at the position six or seven years that's done a lot for his team and the league. ... And the young guy comes in making more money than him at the position."

Minnesota Vikings safety Darren Sharper said in May that he was uncomfortable with the contracts top picks Jake Long (five years, $57.75million from the Miami Dolphins) and Matt Ryan (six years, $72 million from the Atlanta Falcons) received.

Sharper noted rookie contracts ultimately affect all salaries. He said, "When you...