OT: Rookie salaries now under control

[VJCPatriot]

Just look at a difference a year makes:

This year's #1 pick, Cam Newton gets a 4 year 22 mill deal. Bradford just last year got a 6 year 78m deal! That's a 56m dollar savings. Yeaaah! Top rookies still getting substantial deals but no longer ridiculous money as if they were proven and elite veterans.

No. 1 draft pick Cam Newton has signed with the Carolina Panthers and has arrived at training camp. The Panthers announced Friday evening that Newton, the Heisman-winning quarterback from Auburn, had signed a deal and was attending team meetings. Bus Cook, Newton’s agent, told the The Associated Press via a text message Friday night that the deal was for four years and “$22 million-plus.” Last year’s No. 1 draft pick, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, signed a six-year, $78 million contract with the St. Louis Rams.

Read more: NFL news: Eagles sign former Raider Asomugha - KansasCity.com

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Just look at a difference a year makes:

This year's #1 pick, Cam Newton gets a 4 year 22 mill deal. Bradford just last year got a 6 year 78m deal! That's a 56m dollar savings. Yeaaah! Top rookies still getting substantial deals but no longer ridiculous money as if they were proven and elite veterans.

No. 1 draft pick Cam Newton has signed with the Carolina Panthers and has arrived at training camp. The Panthers announced Friday evening that Newton, the Heisman-winning quarterback from Auburn, had signed a deal and was attending team meetings. Bus Cook, Newton’s agent, told the The Associated Press via a text message Friday night that the deal was for four years and “$22 million-plus.” Last year’s No. 1 draft pick, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, signed a six-year, $78 million contract with the St. Louis Rams.

Read more: NFL news: Eagles sign former Raider Asomugha - KansasCity.com

OTOH, remember that those differences are really only noticeable in the first round. Outside the first round, there will be very little difference in $$.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Very cool, top-5 picks just gained a ton of value. This is how it should be. Will make it a whole lot easier for rebuilding teams to cost-effectively build their teams with elite players, and should improve parity in the NFL. As an added bonus, that money that the Jamarcus Russells of the world aren't making ends up in the pockets of proven NFL players instead. It's a no-brainer.

 

[jcdavey]

it's awesome!

make rookies prove themselves

 

[Brady2Welker]

Just look at a difference a year makes:

This year's #1 pick, Cam Newton gets a 4 year 22 mill deal. Bradford just last year got a 6 year 78m deal! That's a 56m dollar savings. Yeaaah! Top rookies still getting substantial deals but no longer ridiculous money as if they were proven and elite veterans.

No. 1 draft pick Cam Newton has signed with the Carolina Panthers and has arrived at training camp. The Panthers announced Friday evening that Newton, the Heisman-winning quarterback from Auburn, had signed a deal and was attending team meetings. Bus Cook, Newton’s agent, told the The Associated Press via a text message Friday night that the deal was for four years and “$22 million-plus.” Last year’s No. 1 draft pick, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, signed a six-year, $78 million contract with the St. Louis Rams.

Read more: NFL news: Eagles sign former Raider Asomugha - KansasCity.com

I saw this on ESPN and my mouth was gaping. I love the new rookie salary scale, it's a great thing for both parties owners and players. It's not good for a kids development into an adult to have that much money immediately anyway, if they are #1 overall pick they'll likely get a killer second contract assuming that they keep working on their skills.

 

[DarrylS]

Something makes sense with the new CBA..

 

[Miguel]

Relating this to the Patriots
Lee Smith and Markell Carter's 2011 cap numbers are over 10% higher than the 2010 cap numbers for the players chosen in the same slot. Ryan Mallet's 2011 cap number is right around the cap number for the player chosen in the same slot in the 2010 draft.

 

[VJCPatriot]

OTOH, remember that those differences are really only noticeable in the first round. Outside the first round, there will be very little difference in $$.

That may be true but that's where change was needed the most. It is ridiculous that a bad team like the Raiders would get saddled with a cap nightmare in Jamarcus Russell when they predictably make a bad pick at the top. The previous system was actually PUNISHING teams for having top picks. It was like a hot potato because of the HUGE financial risks.

 

[Patriot Missile]

It was one of the few things that bothered me about the NFL and now its fixed. I'll be interested watch teams be more agressive to move into the top 10 next draft.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Relating this to the Patriots
Lee Smith and Markell Carter's 2011 cap numbers are over 10% higher than the 2010 cap numbers for the players chosen in the same slot. Ryan Mallet's 2011 cap number is right around the cap number for the player chosen in the same slot in the 2010 draft.

The main reason for the Smith/Carter difference is that base salaries were bumped up $50K/yr relative to last year (=$200K over four years).

 

[Sfpat]

Newton's 4 years, $22 MM is guaranteed. The team holds an option for year 5 (average top 10 for position), say it's $15MM. He's franchised for year six (average top 5 say $20 MM by then). Total for 6 years is $57 MM, all guaranteed. It's less than Bradford but still substantial. Main difference is he will have to earn the last $35 MM.

 

[patchick]

That may be true but that's where change was needed the most. It is ridiculous that a bad team like the Raiders would get saddled with a cap nightmare in Jamarcus Russell when they predictably make a bad pick at the top. The previous system was actually PUNISHING teams for having top picks. It was like a hot potato because of the HUGE financial risks.

Totally agree, there was a preposterous skew at the very top in past drafts. This is saner, fairer to proven vets who should get a little more of the pie now, and makes the parity goal of the draft more of a reality.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Why are guys still holding out if there is a scale and why do they even need agents?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Why are guys still holding out if there is a scale and why do they even need agents?

The main issues are distribution of the allotment, and how much of the salary is guaranteed.

As you saw above, Cam Newton's entire contract is guaranteed.

 

[jefmblrd]

This salary cap for rookies makes a great deal of sense. Paying untested rookies huge dollars was ridiculous and if they didn't pan out could hamper a team for years. This way they are still making a ton of money, but it's not as absurd as it was and brings the risk down a bit for the teams picking in the top ten and making holding those picks a better value as well. I always thought it was crazy to be paying these guys more than superstar veterans who had been in the league for years. This seems to be good move.

 

[NovaScotiaPatsFan]

While i'm all for the spirit of the change I still think they ALL make way too much.