Why NFL rookies have no excuses for misbehavior, plus more mailbag

"Don't be the guy."

That was the message delivered by Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a talk he gave to every drafted rookie at the 2009 NFL Rookie Symposium at in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., earlier this week. The next crop of NFL stars listened intently as the young Super Bowl-winning coach gave them advice on how to maximize their potential NFL careers. Tomlin said no further explanation was needed because every player in that room knows enough to realize what those four words mean.

When asked about off-field incidents involving NFL stars, I often tell people there's no idiot's guide on how to be young, rich and famous. In fact, it is an experiment that is bound to go wrong to varying degrees, no matter how much effort is expended to prevent failure. And while some will point to the background of many of the players who step out of line, the truth is I know plenty of well-adjusted people that would make poor decisions if they were given millions of dollars and a boatload of notoriety at age 22. Though there may be no handbook on how to handle that situation, the seminar the NFL provides for these players, at great expense to the league, is really the next best thing.

As an undrafted player, I never attended a symposium until this week when I attended as an instructor. I came away thinking the four-day mandatory event could just as easily be called the "no excuses" camp. The players receive guidance and information on topics ranging from financial education to sexual health and everything in between. It is an intense format designed to help players make the transition from college to the pros. For the NFL, it is a sizable investment in their future and many of the players that succeed can point to a watershed moment from the symposium.

"I just remember hearing Cris Carter talk last year," said Denver Broncos wide receiver Eddie Royal, coming off a stellar rookie season. "He was so passionate about the game and his love of football, talking about how badly he wished he could still play. It made me realize how fortunate I was to have this opportunity and how critical it is that I make the most of it."

Rookies are encouraged to ask questions they may have throughout the week and it is made very clear from the first day that anything is fair game. There are no dumb questions. There is also no place for any rookie to claim ignorance if they break any rules because every possible subject is covered in-depth.

The benefits for both the players and the league are far-reaching. "The coaches tell us the rookies are much better prepared for what they are going to face," said NFL Senior VP Peter Ruocco, one of the architects of the symposium.

No matter how much time or expense the NFL devotes, however, there are still bound to be some who choose a different path. What is that expression about leading a horse to water but not being able to make them drink? In the end, it is still up to the players to make the right decisions at the critical times.

"I firmly believe that NFL players should be held to a higher standard," said St. Louis Rams second-year defensive end Chris Long, "and this event is one reason why."

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