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Plus, the owners would lose money, and contract terminations would have to be eaten up. There's no way this will happen, especially with the owners' meetings to set the fate.

A rookie salary cap would be good. Good for veterans and front offices. Also, it gives more leeway to invest in other areas. The NFL should have a rookie signing clause like the NBA has, in which players earn higher contracts by proving themselves. Goodell has spoken on the topic, but it's the players union that might prevent this from happening in the near future.

I like your point with Westbrook. Brain is the most talented overall and versatile running back in the NFL, and he really outperformed his contract. Yes he wanted more money (which he deserved), but instead of whining and holding out, he reported to the team training camp, and the Eagles rewarded him with a great contract. Steven Jackson is a great player with a lot of potential, but he's hurting himself and the team by holding out of the Rams practices, preseason, and training camp. He should just show up, to prove he's a valuable team asset, and settle for the good money they're already offering.

...Also, I'd take Colston out of your examples. Although he's been really good, he only has two NFL seasons under his belt.

Nah, performance incentives get too complicated, and the players union would be all against that, because an injury could ruin chances of signing a contract.

One year is too little though. A player could have a phenomenal rookie year (like Adrian Peterson), and then instantly become a free agent, where he can sign to big bucks for another team willing to pay better.

...Overall, I think it should just be capped, like the NBA, with no strings attached so that the players feel overused.

The Falcons won't get screwed, because Matt Ryan doesn't look to be a bust. Anyways, all Ryan keeps is his signing bonus if he's released, but NFL teams hold the final say in paying out the remainder of a contract.