Jim Traber Forum: Thoughts about Sam Bradford by Mike Strain

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Sam Bradford and his record contract: Three quick thoughts
7/31/2010 12:49:00 AM

Three
 quick thoughts on OU Heisman winner Sam Bradford's record deal with the
 St. Louis Rams -- six years, $78 million, with $50 million guaranteed. 
It's reportedly the biggest guaranteed contract in NFL history:

1)
 I guess coming back for another year at OU -- a Bradford decision that 
repeatedly was second-guessed -- didn't cost him after all. In fact, it 
actually paid him. No rookie has ever signed a bigger contract.

Obviously,
 Bradford's junior year didn't work out like he planned; but in the year
 he waited to turn pro, the NFL's market value for rookies escalated 
even further. It's possible he maxed out and will be the highest paid 
rookie ever. Because a new labor contract that caps rookie salaries 
could be coming in 2011.

2) The two Oklahoma City athletes who 
went to OU -- Bradford and Blake Griffin -- have done pretty well for 
themselves. Griffin was selected No. 1 by the Clippers in the 2009 NBA 
Draft. Although he didn't play last season (the Clippers are cursed), 
Griffin still made nearly $5.4 million from the team, according to a USA
 Today database. He will make $5.7 million this year and $7.2 million in
 his third season. 

3) I think NFL rookie contracts are madness. 
Don't get me wrong. Bradford should receive market value from the Rams. 
And that's market value right now. But guaranteeing guys who have never 
played a down that amount of cash just doesn't make good business sense.
 NFL owners know it, and the next labor negotiations will be 
interesting.

Edited by SoonerQueen - 31 July 2010 at 1:45am

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SoonerQueen Big League Queen Mum Joined: 16 April 2005 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5617	Topic: Thoughts about Sam Bradford by Mike Strain Posted: 31 July 2010 at 1:44am
	Sam Bradford and his record contract: Three quick thoughts 7/31/2010 12:49:00 AM Three quick thoughts on OU Heisman winner Sam Bradford's record deal with the St. Louis Rams -- six years, $78 million, with $50 million guaranteed. It's reportedly the biggest guaranteed contract in NFL history: 1) I guess coming back for another year at OU -- a Bradford decision that repeatedly was second-guessed -- didn't cost him after all. In fact, it actually paid him. No rookie has ever signed a bigger contract. Obviously, Bradford's junior year didn't work out like he planned; but in the year he waited to turn pro, the NFL's market value for rookies escalated even further. It's possible he maxed out and will be the highest paid rookie ever. Because a new labor contract that caps rookie salaries could be coming in 2011. 2) The two Oklahoma City athletes who went to OU -- Bradford and Blake Griffin -- have done pretty well for themselves. Griffin was selected No. 1 by the Clippers in the 2009 NBA Draft. Although he didn't play last season (the Clippers are cursed), Griffin still made nearly $5.4 million from the team, according to a USA Today database. He will make $5.7 million this year and $7.2 million in his third season. 3) I think NFL rookie contracts are madness. Don't get me wrong. Bradford should receive market value from the Rams. And that's market value right now. But guaranteeing guys who have never played a down that amount of cash just doesn't make good business sense. NFL owners know it, and the next labor negotiations will be interesting. Edited by SoonerQueen - 31 July 2010 at 1:45am

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fasteddie Yard Bird Joined: 06 December 2009 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 167	Posted: 31 July 2010 at 6:46am
	Yes, a lock out could be coming. I hope not but the owners really want a rookie salary cap and I am not sure the NFLPA will give in.
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