It is being reported today that Sam Bradford, the #1 overall pick in the NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams, has agreed to a contract, finally. The contract is for 6 years and is worth $78 million with $50 million in guaranteed money. Ladies and gentlemen of the Sin Bin, I have to call shenanigans here. I mean, really. This guy hasn't even played a down in the NFL, yet. Isn't the usual basis of contracts given based off of what you have done and your ability level? These rookie contracts are just out of control! People keep saying it, but no team ever does anything about it. I mean, let's take a quick look at some of the last #1 overall draft picks.
Last year, Matt Stafford. 6 years for $72 million, with $41 million guaranteed.
Year before that, Jake Long, OT, 5 year $57.75 million with $30 million guaranteed.
Jamarcus Russel, who had a $61 million contract with $32 million guaranteed.
Mario Williams 6 years, $54 million with $26.5 million guaranteed.
These rookies, who have done absolutely NOTHING to prove that they are worth it, are demanding these insane sums of guaranteed money, and teams are giving it to them! This is absurd! I think we can all look straight at people like Jamarcus Russel to see why these contracts are such a bad idea! You have no idea what this guy's work ethic is going to be like. I mean, Bradford was holding out!!! YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED A DOWN OF NFL FOOTBALL!!! YOU DON'T KNOW THAT YOU'RE WORTH THIS MUCH TROUBLE! Seriously, the NFL needs to do exactly what the NHL did back in 1994-1995, the lockout shortened season. They weren't able to put a full scale salary cap in, but they did put one in for the rookies, and it has been worth it! Instead of spending insane amounts of money on players claiming to be the next great one, they are given an entry level contract with a limit of $925,000 a year with a maximum year length of 3 years. That is so reasonable I almost can't stand it! Obviously, football would most likely be higher, but this is the right idea! This is also probably one of the key points that will almost certainly lead to a lockout in the 2011-2012 NFL season.
Really, the bottom line with this is, again, none of these young men have done anything to prove that they are worth these million and millions of dollars. I mean, if you do end up with a Jamarcus Russel, or a Ryan Leaf, and you basically have to stick with them to hope that they will magically stop sucking. Do the smart thing and make them prove themselves with entry level contracts. That way, you can save your team a whole hell of a lot of money if you do end up with the biggest bust in the history of all time. We'll see how the cards play out, but the NFL would be very smart to put something in place to limit this, because these contracts are just crazy.
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Atheletes already make too much money as it is, and they always want more. I especially agree this is rediculous for Rookies who haven't proven their worth.
ReplyDeleteIt will probably help lead to a lockout for the season following this one. And we both know athletes make too much money. We're both preaching to the choir!
ReplyDeleteWhile I have to agree with most of those picks being busts, Mario Williams has actually been a great help to his team. Salaries throughout sports are out of control, but some players are worth more than others.
ReplyDeleteNice blog Kevin.
Wasn't so much a comment on them being busts, because you're right about Williams, he has been useful, as has Jake Long, just the concept of giving that much guaranteed money to rookies is crazy!! And you have no argument from me about the out of control contracts in general! Thanks for commenting Fosberg! Miss you guys! Subscribe if you like!
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