What's It Going To Cost Us?

by RamsMan83 on Apr 27, 2009 11:38 AM CDT

Now that the draft has come and gone, the next step in the process is getting everyone signed. As of April 22, 2009, the Rams have $10.69 million in cap space available. We have got some room to work with, compared to other teams, but it ain't a lot.

Our first round pick, 2nd overall, Jason Smith is NOT going to come cheap. Not just because he was the second pick, but because he is represented by the mega agent Tom Condon. Condon makes Drew Rosenhaus look like a slacker when it comes to being an agent. For those of you who don't know who Condon is, this is a short list of players he represents: Peyton & Eli Manning, LT, Tony Romo, Brady Quinn, Matt Leinhart, Mark Bulger, Drew Brees, Tony Gonzalez, the newest millionaire in the league Matthew Stafford, and the list goes on and on. That being said, Smith isn't going to just roll over and want to play for a sub-par franchise. Condon just scored a HUGE deal for Stafford and he will look to do the same for J. Smith.

What are the chances the Rams fork over the dough vs. playing hard ball with an agent that knows how to get his money?

Personally, I think we are in the hole to pay this guy AT LEAST $25 million in guarantees. If not, J. Smith will be prepared to hold out until the end of July....

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I hope

that J. Smith doesn’t hold out. Hopefully they’ll get something done and get all these guys signed quickly.

The Personal Finance Playbook.

by Toddius on Apr 27, 2009 1:25 PM CDT reply actions

he better not

i still think that rookies in the first round are waaaaaay too expensive

"Score some damn runs, or the baby pandas die"

by sergey606 on Apr 27, 2009 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I doubt it

they base his deal on Jake Long’s from last year.

And the cap space isn’t totally accurate – the number is but the technical details of the cap give teams rookie allotments.

by Ryan Van Bibber on Apr 27, 2009 3:38 PM CDT reply actions

That being said...

Here is a quote from none other than VanRam himself, lol. He is speaking on the contract talks of then 2nd overall pick, Chris Long.

“Usually it’s the top pick in the draft whose deal sets the benchmark for the other first rounders, but with Jake Long signing a five year, $30 million guaranteed deal before the draft and the Falcons then giving Matt Ryan a dump truck load of money (6 years, $72M, $34.5M guaranteed) deals for the top draftees won’t be so easy to figure out. For the Rams, the Ryan and Jake Long deals obviously carry quite a bit of impact on contract negotiations with second overall pick Chris Long.”

Jake Long had a 5 year with $30 million in guarantees. If Tom Condon can negotiate a deal to get Stafford $47 million guaranteed, he can easily get the desperate Rams to pay upwards of $35 million. Are the Rams prepared to fork over that much money to J. Smith with Laurniatus waiting in the wings to be paid?

by RamsMan83 on Apr 27, 2009 3:48 PM CDT reply actions

We signed Chris Long for $29 million guaranteed

five years, $48 million. Ryan’s deal was incentive loaded, and as the third pick, threw the pay scale a curve ball. QBs always get more $$. Stafford’s deal will have some impact, but the position difference will factor in.

Smith’s agent is Ben Dogra, not Tom Condon. Dogra’s also Jake Long’s agent.

Another thing left unmentioned in the discussion of the Rams “safe” picks, is the lower potential for a holdout. Not saying it won’t happen though.

Deals for second round picks are considerably less. Avery signed a 4-year, $4.8 million contract with $2.75 guaranteed. Given their draft positions, Laurinaitis should be similar.

Here’s a quote from Mike Sando about how much money the Rams will need for this year’s draft picks: