• Rams, No. 1 pick Bradford begin contract talks

    by
    007
    Published on 07-16-2010 02:09 PM
    60 Comments Comments
    Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the St. Louis Rams and the agent for their No. 1 pick Sam Bradford have officially commenced today.

    Thomas also reports to not expect a deal to be wrapped up any time soon but the hope is that both sides can reach an accord before the start of the team's training camp, which gets underway July 28 at the Russell Athletic Training Facility in Earth City, Mo.


    It is anticipated that Bradford will command between $45 million to $50 million in guaranteed money, according to Bernie Miklasz of the same paper.

    For additional information on the status of the negotiations between the Rams and agent Tom Condon, be sure to check out STL Today.com.
    Categories:
    1. St. Louis Rams
    Tags :
    Comments 60 Comments
    1. moedrabowsky's Avatar
      The Rams and representatives for Sam Bradford kicked off their negotiations Friday in St. Louis as they attempt to get the quarterback under contract in time for training camp.

      A deal is unlikely to be struck Friday, a league source said, but both the Rams and Bradford's reps are expected to lay the groundwork for what will be the richest contract in NFL history.

      The guaranteed money in the deal is expected to be between $45 million and $50 million, the source said.

      Last year the Detroit Lions gave No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford a six-year deal that included $41.7 million in guaranteed money.

      Both sides are aiming to finalize a deal by the time the Rams open training camp to their rookies on July 28. Bradford was the draft's No. 1 pick out of Oklahoma.
      http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5385835
      Reply
    1. moedrabowsky's Avatar
      Oops.
      Reply
    1. Blues Fan in SF's Avatar
      Well, with the runaway success of his previous hits "Acromioclavicular Blues" and "Jesus Built My Heisman Trophy", I guess this was to be expected...
      Reply
    1. Miami Card Fan's Avatar
      Why do the salaries have to go up SO much for the rookies every year? I can see proven players getting their payday, but there should have to be mandatory caps on rookie salaries. And they should be SIGNIFICANTLY lower than they are now.
      Reply
    1. dhaab's Avatar
      Quote Originally Posted by Miami Card Fan View Post
      Why do the salaries have to go up SO much for the rookies every year? I can see proven players getting their payday, but there should have to be mandatory caps on rookie salaries. And they should be SIGNIFICANTLY lower than they are now.
      The current system will be changed drastically once they sign a new contract with the players association. The top 5 picks in the NFL draft traditionally make WAY too much money.
      Reply
    1. Miami Card Fan's Avatar
      Quote Originally Posted by dhaab View Post
      The current system will be changed drastically once they sign a new contract with the players association. The top 5 picks in the NFL draft traditionally make WAY too much money.
      They aren't really protecting their players when they support a system in which the money is so top heavy. Make rookie contracts a maximum of 3 years with a one year club option capped at no more than $20 million guaranteed and you better protect your sport. In turn, increase the mimimum salaries for those on the lower spectrum. I think I've heard that the average NFL career is like 3 seasons. Seems unfair that the often-bust 1st pick QB gets such a big piece of the pie.
      Reply
    1. Blues Fan in SF's Avatar
      Well, dammit, now my comment above doesn't make sense. Thanks mods.
      Reply
    1. jack jones's Avatar
      Quote Originally Posted by dhaab View Post
      The current system will be changed drastically once they sign a new contract with the players association. The top 5 picks in the NFL draft traditionally make WAY too much money.
      Right on both points. It's amazing how the money falls off around 10. The PA is going to take a haircut on revenue sharing and agree to some arrangement like MCF suggested or there won't be football in 2011. I don't think there's any chance the owners cave on either.

      A 2-3 year rookie contract with some sort of restricted free agency after that would also avoid players like Brandon Marshall or Chris Johnson who out performed their original deal getting all bent out of shape.
      Reply
    1. bombay's Avatar
      I thought Bradford was a great player at Oklahoma, but $45 M or whatever is wildly risky.

      I hope he plays well and his shoulder stays in it's socket.
      Reply
    1. 007's Avatar
      Rams total contract offer is the richest in NFL history: Nearly $72M total (StLToday)

      Contrary to speculative reports, the St. Louis Rams have not reached an agreement with No. 1 overall draft pick Sam Bradford.

      And contrary to more speculation, Bradford will not be in attendance at tonight's full-squad meeting -- the first full-squad gathering of this training camp. This according to two sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations.

      In fact, Bradford cannot attend any team functions, be it a team meeting or practice, until he has signed a contract.

      According to one of the sources, the Rams have offered Bradford the richest rookie contract in NFL history. It's one that exceeds the six-year, $72 million deal signed by the 2009 No. 1 draft pick -- quarterback Matthew Stafford -- but falls short of the $80 million plateau.

      Both sides continue to work on a deal. The Rams are trying to get Bradford on the field in time for Saturday's 3 p.m. practice _ the first full-squad practice of camp. The Rams concluded their prelude to camp on Friday with the third practice in two days involving 37 rookies and selected veterans.
      Reply
    1. Bleacher Creature's Avatar
      Geeze.

      I hope he's good.
      Reply
    1. SluSignGuy's Avatar
      God damn this kid better pan out...
      Reply
    1. JK's Avatar
      According to what I've heard, privately the Rams think Bradford looks better than they initially thought, and they initially thought he was unbelievable...

      He's going to be the opening day quarterback...hell, I figured it would be week four or five initially, but I don't think Neckbeard sees the field as a starter...
      Reply
    1. mellanby_equals_grit's Avatar
      Quote Originally Posted by JK View Post
      He's going to be the opening day quarterback...hell, I figured it would be week four or five initially, but I don't think Neckbeard sees the field as a starter until after Bradford's shoulder is ripped off...
      Fixteded.
      Reply
    1. house77's Avatar
      Quote Originally Posted by JK View Post
      According to what I've heard, privately the Rams think Bradford looks better than they initially thought, and they initially thought he was unbelievable...

      He's going to be the opening day quarterback...hell, I figured it would be week four or five initially, but I don't think Neckbeard sees the field as a starter...

      I watched him twice in person as a redshirt freshman for the Sooners. While I know the Tigers were never a defensive powerhouse, he tore them apart in 2007. He made every throw at 19 years old... and the last game was on a HUGE stage (Big 12 Championship game). Right then, I hoped the Rams would be able to get him at some point... and I'm still glad they drafted him... injuries be damned. I think he's going to be one hell of a player.
      Reply
    1. ItsOnlyTheRiver's Avatar
      No one should be surprised by this. Do you think they were going to give him less than what Stafford got last yea?
      Reply
    1. Bleacher Creature's Avatar
      Quote Originally Posted by ItsOnlyTheRiver View Post
      No one should be surprised by this. Do you think they were going to give him less than what Stafford got last yea?
      I'm not surpised at all, but it's just not right.
      Reply
    1. JK's Avatar
      Bradford doesn't strike me as a kid that quibbles over dollars much...so given the numbers being thrown around, and the fact that they will easily exceed Stafford's deal, I'm a little surprised he hasn't put the heat on Condon to get something signed...

      Hell, maybe he has...

      Just seems like the Rams have put a more-than-fair offer out there, and something oughta be signed...
      Reply
    1. JK's Avatar
      Quote Originally Posted by Bleacher Creature View Post
      I'm not surpised at all, but it's just not right.
      He ought to be celebrating as the next CBA will quite probably have something in place to address rookie salaries...Bradford may be one of the last bonus babies...

      I used to care, but it's not my money, so I don't really pay attention anymore, other than to the extent it affects the salary cap and a team's ability to be well-rounded and effectively fill other spots...that being said, it is rather ludicrous to pay a kid that kind of money when he's proven nothing in the NFL...
      Reply
    1. sketch's Avatar
      I wouldn't doubt there are sticking points around what happens during the lockout next year. I'd imagine agents are trying to build in protection for their players.

      I don't care much about these last couple of rookie days, but if this goes through the weekend, I'll be annoyed.
      Reply
    Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast

  • Advertising