The NFL might have a slight problem on its hands. Word came down yesterday that the Falcons gave Matt Ryan, the #3 overall pick, a six-year, $72 million contract that includes $34.75 million in guaranteed money. This contract is an anomaly for a reason other than the fact that its a ridiculous amount of money to give a guy who’s never thrown an NFL pass. Especially when we all know that the majority of highly drafted quarterbacks are flops.
It’s weird because it’s bigger than the deal that Jake Long, the #1 overall pick, signed with the Dolphins. Doesn’t that set a dangerous precedent? I mean, it’s already bad enough that you have guys who have never played a down in the NFL getting bigger contracts that established vets (IE: Jake Long is now the highest paid lineman in the league), but now you have given guys who were picked further down the draft the leverage to demand any amount of money they see fit. The door to rookie contract chaos has officially been opened. When there is no salary structure based on the order of the draft, any player taken can find a reason to say why he deserves a top-rate contract. I would imagine rookie hold-outs would go through the roof.
It’ll be interesting to see if the league tries to take some of sort of action to rein this in before it’s completely out of control.
May 21, 2008 at 7:07 pm |
The NFL owners want no salary cap, just as baseball. Especially JJ, I bet he loves it.
May 21, 2008 at 7:54 pm |
Fuck these goddamn prices on food, ethanol, non-ethanol, services, etc. This shit is outta hand. First time in my life I’ve ever considered not going somewhere due to gas and other prices was 10 min. ago and it just sucks. However golf prices are going down due to 544 courses in a 30 mile radius, so there is hope.
May 21, 2008 at 9:33 pm |
I thought the impending un-capped year in 2010 would be good for the Cowboys too, but today on the radio they were going over all the stipulations and it really wouldn’t be a free-for-all like it is in baseball. Basically, nobody would benefit from it.
May 23, 2008 at 10:12 am |
I wish there was a cap on rookies of some kind until they prove their worth. I would love to get paid for my unproven potential.
May 29, 2008 at 5:31 pm |
[...] who have not had a single play get money on par of the upper echelon of league veterans. This ridiculous rookie salary inflation coupled with the difficulty of projecting college players into the NFL is one of the main reasons [...]