Rams, Stanley agree to terms

By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
06/27/2007

The Rams are beginning to bring their 2007 draft class into the fold. On Tuesday, they agreed to contract terms with seventh-round pick Derek Stanley, a wide receiver from NCAA Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater.

According to Stanley’s agent, Kevin Van Ry of Reno, Nev., the three-year deal is worth a total of nearly $1.1 million, including a $27,900 signing bonus.

Stanley, 5 feet 9 and 179 pounds, caught 130 passes for 2,648 yards (a 20.4-yard average) and 35 touchdowns in 50 games in college. He averaged 22.7 yards on 41 kickoff returns.

Is it just me or does that seem like a lot of money to give to a 7th rounder? I guess it doesn't really matter if he gets cut, but it still seems like a lot....

i guess the money just depends on your perspective. Remember that the cap has gone up every year. THese spots are pretty much slotted anyway. Almost half of that will likely go for taxes, he wont have much to spend.

I look at it this way. As a 7th round pick, he is one of the 250 or so best guys coming out of college in his profession. Signing bonuses and relocation bonuses being what they are today in law firms, accounting firms, wall street and other major industries in the major cities for the top kids coming out of college are more money than that in many, many cases so it doesnt seem like all that much to me. Also keep in mind that 27,900 could be all the money that he sees since nothing in the future is guaranteed for him.

Nice to see him under contract.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

More on Derek Stanley's profile (I hadn't read this much on him):

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/stanley_derek

Funny how he is listed anywhere from 5-9 to 5-11. He's 21 yrs. old so I think he will grow into an honest 5-10, 185 to 190 lbs. WR / kick returner.

Seems like a good signing to me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by general counsel

Also keep in mind that 27,900 could be all the money that he sees since nothing in the future is guaranteed for him.

---

Indeed. He'll likely be cut and put on the practice squad, meaning all that's left of this contract is the bonus money he's paid.

If I'm not mistaken, that's basically a league minimum contract.

Maybe soon he can turn into a Santana Moss type player for us. He's 5'"10" 190, and a darn good player.

Hopefully we see a domino effect.

But its definitely nice to get one of the Draft Picks signed.

Jeremy Stevens signed for $360,000. And while it's not the same situation...you see where I'm coming from. I understand he probably won't see a lot and I guess it makes sense with the cap growing, but that seems like a lot of money. Whatever, not my wallet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RedArcher7

Jeremy Stevens signed for $360,000. And while it's not the same situation...you see where I'm coming from. I understand he probably won't see a lot and I guess it makes sense with the cap growing, but that seems like a lot of money. Whatever, not my wallet.

---

Well that is also the league minimum, and you have to remember Stevens has had troubles recently so teams werent willing to throw cash at him. Plus he isnt very good anyway.