For all the talk about a rookie salary cap, earning your pay, and fairness for the veterans, the best argument for a rookie cap is the cost of missing training camp. There are nine first round draft picks that are currently unsigned. While they hold out, their teams are hard at work getting in shape and installing the game plan for the upcoming season. These kids are losing valuable learning time that would ensure they play a sizable role with their new teams. The players could live inside the playbook while the franchises and agents go back and forth until a deal is reached. It doesn?t compare to being on the field applying what they are studying. These rookies also miss the new plays that are installed as camp progresses. Some plays are designed for the rookies. The rooks can?t learn these plays until they arrive at camp. Those become more plays they won?t participate in, decreasing their role further. The players fall further and further behind their teammates with each passing day. It will be very difficult to catch up on the hours lost in the classroom. And missing out on proper conditioning will lead to injuries. A lot of muscle pulls or strains could be avoided with proper training. Any time on the sideline stunts the mental growth of the rookies. Maybe the strain or pull was bound to happen even for an on-time arrival. But it would be better for it to happen early in camp so the player can recover and rejoin his teammates on the field, while keeping up with his studies off the field. Agents say they are doing what?s in the best interest of their client. That?s only half right. It is an agent?s job to get their rookies the best pay possible. But that often is done at the expense of the rookie?s career because the players can?t get on the field and learn. Look at the career of Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell so far. He completely missed training camp and signed almost two weeks into the regular season. He barely played because his knowledge of the offense was far behind the rest of the team. In his second year, a season most rookies show their biggest jump in development, Russell was still playing catch-up as he wasn?t completely familiar with the plays. He should be on the cusp of turning the Raiders around in his third year. Instead the Raiders hope Russell shows signs that he finally ?gets it.? The Holdout Class of 2009 is putting themselves in a similar predicament by waiting for the highest dollar. WR Michael Crabtree is holding firm to his demand to be paid like a top-five pick, even though he was selected 10th overall. His stalemate effects the four players drafted around him as they wait to build a deal based on what their peers make. This waiting game means they aren?t playing their way into their team?s plans. Each player is missing out on a tremendous opportunity: ? 3rd overall: DE Tyson Jackson will become a part of a Kansas City defense loaded with potential as they switch to a 3-4 ? 4th: LB Aaron Curry would join Leroy Hill and Lofa Tatupu in Seattle to form one of the league?s youngest and best linebacking corps ? 6th: OT Andre Smith can help fortify a Cincinnati pocket that allowed 51 sacks, third worst in the league ? 8th: OT Eugene Monroe mentors with Tra Thomas in Jacksonville as they try to turn around an offense that had a down year ? 9th: DT B.J. Raji is taught how to play in Green Bay?s 3-4 defense by Dom Capers, one of the league?s best defensive minds ? 10th: WR Michael Crabtree could take advantage of the perk of being selected by San Francisco: one-on-one tutoring from the greatest receiver of all time, Jerry Rice ? 11th: DE Aaron Maybin could help improve a Buffalo pass rush that had just 24 sacks ? 12th: RB Knowshon Moreno would compete against five other running backs for the chance to start for Denver ? 14th: CB Michael Jenkins would immediately contribute to the 23rd-ranked passing defense as a corner and safety in New Orleans Saying a rookie salary cap is needed is one thing. Designing a system that satisfies both sides is another. This system has potential: ? The initial contract for first and second round draft picks are three-year deals ? A three-year deal can be signed by any rookie, including third through seventh round picks. A later round pick has the option of signing a longer deal if they desire more security ? First round players have a base salary slotted to where they are selected, with a lot of incentives built in to increase the value of the contract based on performance ? The first two years are guaranteed, with the third year a team option that includes a substantial bonus. Teams can begin negotiations on a long-term deal with the player at this moment ? The team can release the player after two years and he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The team can negotiate to re-sign the player, but the player is free to sign elsewhere This basic framework accomplishes a few things: 1. Rookie salaries start low 2. There are plenty of ways to earn more money over the course of the rookie season 3. After just two years, the player is in position to get rewarded very well if the performance exceeds the contract?s compensation 4. Because any rookie can sign a three-year deal, a late round surprise could quickly reap the benefits as well This would be very fair for the Terrell Davises and Jared Allens of the league. And in a case where a Gus Ferrotte out-performs a Heath Shuler, one stays with the team while the other is allowed to quickly move on and try to catch on elsewhere. The point is to get everyone into camp on time. Getting money quickly in a sport where the average career is three and a half seasons long is important. If they play well, the rookies won?t have to wait long to get paid. Read more by Randolph Charlotin at his New England Patriots blog at . He can be reached at talktome@randolphc.com.