I don’t know how rookie players in the NFL can watch what happened to JaMarcus Russell and not make a mad dash to sign a contract and begin building the foundation of a pro career.

San Francisco 49ers rookie receiver Michael Crabtree still hasn’t signed a contract for the 2009 season and has even leaked threats that he may hold out the entire season and re-enter the draft in 2010 if he isn’t paid what he believes to be the correct amount.

Why is it that when I think of NFL rookies these days, I picture them in a highchair with oatmeal spilled across their bibs screaming, “No, no, no, no! I want more cookies!”?

NFL rookies sign ridiculous contracts every season, with bonuses that seem to skyrocket and enough cash in guaranteed money to purchase most of the Central Valley.

Players who have never played a down of pro football garner enough power and influence to basically bully teams into paying ludicrous sums before they’ll even report to practice.

And every time a team gives in and awards these huge contracts, the next team that drafts a high pick is basically obliged to do the same.

I say we drop these babies into the wilderness 500 miles from the nearest training camp. The ones who survive get a modest contract with plenty of room for growth. The rookies who wander around looking for their agents can get eaten by wild animals and save us the anguish of listening to the sad stories of their holdouts.

The NFL should put a cap on rookie contracts that quickly settles these disputes and gets these whiners to practice.

I don’t understand why Commissioner Roger Goodell can invent 3,000 rules to govern the way players celebrate a touchdown and conduct their personal lives and not make a move to limit the disturbing growth of holdouts and idiot rookie players looking for a payday.

If a player is good, he shouldn’t treat his signing bonus like his last shot at the lotto. Missing training camp, practice and preseason games didn’t exactly do wonders for Russell and the Raiders, and I’m sure most fans were ready to wring his neck before the quarterback phenom finally signed.

Holdouts only build walls between rookies and their teammates, coaches and fans. No one wants to buy that nice new Crabtree jersey if it sees more action in your closet than on the football field.

I don’t think big-name rookies are worth the contracts they sign, and I, for one, would be thrilled to see the system changed. Make a rookie cap, penalize holdouts more severely or drop them into the wilderness.

I really don’t care how we fix the problem — I’m just tired of babies in highchairs spitting out their oatmeal.

• To comment on the Weekly Ramble, call Sports Editor Ike Dodson at 239-6351, ext. 306, or e-mail him at ike@sunpost.net.