Bradford won't sign prior to the draft

by Ryan Van Bibber on Apr 16, 2010 3:25 PM CDT in 2010 NFL Draft

Le Ram posted this fan post earlier today, and it totally slipped by me. Too bad, because it's a doozy that needs to be considered in all of the talk about the St. Louis Rams, Sam Bradford and the first overall pick.

Apparently, Bradford's agent Tom Condon is unwilling to get a deal done prior to the draft, as did three of the four previous first picks (Stafford, Jake Long and Mario Williams).

It's a big deal because uncertainty is NOT what the Rams need more of right now.

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Jeff George just excitedly called Devaney with his schedule of availability.

block! building kick! exploooooooosion!

by mooseknuckles41 on Apr 16, 2010 3:43 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Well.......

there goes a chunk of trade leverage we had against the Browns.

Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.

- John Wayne

by Tackle Box on Apr 16, 2010 4:05 PM CDT reply actions

I wonder just how hard the Rams are pushing.

If we aren’t negotiating with anyone, it keeps the board open for trade talk from several teams, not just those who want Bradford. If we are keeping all our options open, no one can be sure what we’ll do and that might make them more antsy to make a deal. I know most people think no one would trade up for anyone but a QB, but the more mystery you keep in the process, the greater the pressure on the other teams.

by andyrose on Apr 16, 2010 4:06 PM CDT reply actions

That is what I am thinking....

You get him signed before the draft and that kills prospect of trading pick (doesn’t it?) for someone potentially looking at trading up to get Suh at least.

I am not worried about him not signing before draft day (IF he is even who the Rams select) because…well, didn’t everyone know that would be the outcome with his private visit so close to the draft? That and the contract framework/precendence was already set with last year’s #1 being a QB. Too many contract “knowns,” IF he is picked – I am confident that he would be signed without any missed camp time.

Baseball season is back - Go Halos!

by gorams77 on Apr 17, 2010 1:05 AM CDT up reply actions

We can pretty well guess what the deal would be for Bradford.

When you add the fact that Condon was also Stafford’s agent last year, and you can pretty well predict the terms at around $45 guaranteed and $75 overall.

by andyrose on Apr 17, 2010 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions

Millions that is. I wouldn't even sign for 75 dollars.

by andyrose on Apr 17, 2010 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions

I think....

…Bradford is a fool for doing this. He wants big money but not signing pre-draft is a good way to fall a couple of spots. I think the NFL needs to cap rookie contracts. I hate seeing rookies earn 45+ million.

My ROFLcopter goes soi soi soi soi soi soi soi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pkAFR-7c-c

by AbsolutMoose on Apr 16, 2010 4:48 PM CDT reply actions

Are you 2 related?

I mean you and moose knuckles?

Bradford and Condon are fools. Regarding the state of ownership, there is no way the Rams draft a player who is unwilling to sign. The perk of being able to negotiate with a 1st overall pick before the draft almost outweighs the burden of paying them 1st pick money (in comparison to the 2nd through 10th overall picks perse). These morons stand to lose guaranteed and bonus monies by not agreeing pre-draft (agent gets a share of salary).

This pick will be traded or passed onto someone who will sign (Suh, Berry, Okung?).

by 81 Witness on Apr 16, 2010 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Only related in spirit haha

The NFL needs to do something about rookie contracts before this s* gets outta hand. No way a rookie should make that much.

My ROFLcopter goes soi soi soi soi soi soi soi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pkAFR-7c-c

by AbsolutMoose on Apr 16, 2010 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions

I am with you on that ,no rookie is worth that kind of money

by Ram-on on Apr 16, 2010 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Draft....

The NFL needs to adopt a rookie wage scale like the NBA…. Right now, as it is, the top 5 picks are more risky financially than ever and more of a burden to a losing team. You’d think that having the worst record in the NFL would get you a PRIZE of the 1st pick in the draft. It’s more a burden now! I know if I were Drew Brees and I see that Bradford, right away, makes much more than me, I’d be upset about that! The monies should be given to proven NFL players!
If Bradford will not sign before the draft the Ram should either trade down or sign Suh or McCoy at number 1. I even think the package of Suh, then in the 2nd round – Colt McCoy would benefit the Rams much much more than the package of Bradford and a Wide Reciever. McCoy comes across as a leader and someone who’s work ethic is there to learn the system and compete at a high level.

by Ricksome on Apr 16, 2010 6:06 PM CDT reply actions

It really doesnt make a lot of sense

that a prized free agent could get less in guaranteed money than a top draft pick. I would imagine this will end with the new CBA.

by RamsFan7 on Apr 16, 2010 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions

I think that is one of the hot topics for the new CBA...

what will be confusing or tough to decide is the scale itself. Every position holds a different value regardless of draft spot so I am curious as to how they will handle. Will they say screw it and make a 1st rd 7th pick QB cap out at the same amount as a Safety, OT, LB?

Baseball season is back - Go Halos!

by gorams77 on Apr 16, 2010 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions

I suspect that is what they'll do.

The union doesn’t care if you are a QB or an OG. To keep it from being too complicated, I suspect they will just assign a value to each pick and that will be that. They will probably all be three year contracts. You can get your money if you are any good after the initial contract runs out..

by andyrose on Apr 16, 2010 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions

I may have a solution

Maybe they could set a bonus for position. For example, maybe the price for the 5th overall selection would be 6 million a year, and then if it was a QB they could just add on the positional bonus of say 2 million so he’d make 8 million a year. Of course then the positional bonuses would have to adjust per pick as well. Perhaps a percentage of the slot salary could be added on to the end. In this case QB would get 33% of the slot salary added on in addition to the slot salary. Maybe a LT would get 20% and make 7.2 million a year. Of course the dollar figures I picked were just easy to do math on and are open to change. I think this plan could work and I expect compensation from the NFL for thinking of it for them.

by Carneros on Apr 16, 2010 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Also

A problem with a rookie pay scale in general is amount of years in deals. No rookie would want to sign a long term deal under these conditions and all deals would probably have to be set at 3 years. Meaning teams would have a harder time retaining a lot of their draft picks long term. That’s a big problem I can see with the payscale, although I am pretty happy with my plan for amount per year paid to a player.

by Carneros on Apr 16, 2010 11:26 PM CDT up reply actions

I like this...

That’s a really well thought out idea. That would make much more sense then paying a f*in rookie 50 mil guaranteed. This is the reason bad teams stay bad. 1 first round bust sets you back years through salary..

My ROFLcopter goes soi soi soi soi soi soi soi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pkAFR-7c-c

by AbsolutMoose on Apr 17, 2010 2:11 AM CDT up reply actions

My fear...

will always circle back to an uncapped, Jerry Jones dream NFL. Say there is a 3 year max contract with a salary cieling per draft slot……after that they are done and can hit the FA market. Yes it saves you from being crippled financially from a bust – but it also only gaurantees you 3 years of production before they are able to leave for big $ as they head into their prime. Not good for a small market team.

Baseball season is back - Go Halos!

by gorams77 on Apr 17, 2010 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions

they pay that draft pick big money anyway after three years

so it wouldn’t change

except if he were a bust, in that case you save money

"You’ve got to play every game like it’s your last because it’s definitely survive-and-advance or don’t survive and school," Tiller said.

by stlcardsfan4 on Apr 17, 2010 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Additional solution....

I wonder if they can determine a cap based off of league average at that position. Now I don’t know how current first round pick contracts stack up to the league averages now so I am kinda flying blind with this idea, but if the league average OT makes say 8 million (that is not the actual figure) per – then a 1st rd pick can make up to 10% more, 2nd rd at 5%, 3rd even, 4th -%5, etc…..just spitballing.

Baseball season is back - Go Halos!

by gorams77 on Apr 17, 2010 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions

It's starting to look like Mario williams / Reggie Bush...

“Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh would be a good, safe pick and cost less than what Bradford is asking, but would not solve the Rams’ quarterback problem.”

I say that Bradford/Condon being pains in the a, holding out and not being ready to lead the team wouldn’t solve our problem either.

I’d rather take Suh to elevate our D to another level and wait til next year to get a young QB. Luckily Keenum, & Co won’t be all represented by Tom Condon…

by Le Ram on Apr 17, 2010 12:09 PM CDT reply actions

I've been for taking Bradford recently

but I’ve always said Suh would be just fine as well. Since Condon is being ridiculous about not signing the Bradford contract until after the draft, I think the Rams should open negotiations with Suh and make sure Bradford knows about it. If they still hold out and won’t sign, we sign Suh and let Bradford and all the other guys coming out of school see what can happen and how much money you can lose by allowing your agent to screw things up for you. Let ESPN and all the other sports reporters use this as an example when discussing every draft, talking about how Bradford’s agent cost him $10-20 million by being cute and not negotiating when he should. If no one would sign with Condon after that, so much the better.

by andyrose on Apr 17, 2010 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions