Cardinals sign tackle Levi Brown to six-year, $62 million deal

[Nick]

Cardinals agree to contract terms with OT Levi Brown
By ANDREW BAGNATO, AP Sports Writer
August 2, 2007

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) -- First-round draft pick Levi Brown agreed to terms with the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, six days after the team reported to training camp.

The six-year contract could be worth up to $62 million, just over $18 million of it guaranteed.

Brown was en route to Phoenix on Thursday night from his home in Virginia. He is to undergo a physical exam Friday before signing his contract and joining the Cardinals at training camp on the Northern Arizona University campus in Flagstaff.

"We were a bit frustrated by the amount of time it took and didn't think it had to take this long," Arizona general manager Rod Graves said. "...The proposal that we agreed upon today was not far from where we've been the last week or so."

The 6-foot-5, 323-pound offensive tackle out of Penn State was the No. 5 overall draft pick and has missed the Cardinals' first five days of practices.

"Levi is looking forward to joining the Cardinals coaches and players at practice (Friday)," his agent Joel Segal said. "The Cardinals stepped up and made this deal happen."

The players immediately ahead of and behind Brown already had reached deals.

Defensive end Gaines Adams, the No. 4 pick, agreed to a six-year deal with Tampa Bay reportedly worth up to $46 million, with $18.6 million guaranteed. Defensive back LaRon Landry, the No. 6 pick who also is represented by Segal, agreed to a five-year, $41.5 million contract with Washington, with about $17.5 million guaranteed.

The Cardinals chose Brown in an attempt to bolster what has been a woeful offensive line. New Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt had used Brown mostly at right tackle during minicamps and voluntary workouts.

Brown has played mostly at left tackle, but that spot is held by free agent acquisition Mike Gandy. Oliver Ross has worked with the first team at right tackle so far in camp. Ross played for Whisenhunt when the coach was offensive coordinator at Pittsburgh, but lost his starting job with Arizona during last season.

Brown was the second offensive lineman chosen in the draft. Cleveland selected tackle Joe Thomas at No. 3. Thomas has signed a six-year deal reportedly worth $42.5 million, with $23 million guaranteed.

Brown, a third-team Associated Press All-American this year, earned two degrees at Penn State -- in labor and industrial relations in 2005 and psychology in 2006.

It's amazing to think a guy who has never played in the NFL got a contract worth nearly as much as Marc Bulger's contract extension.

[Keenum]

They need a rookie contract maximum, especially for reasons like JaMarcus Russell, Brady Quinn, and Calvin Johnson (who did finally get signed). I would even do something like you can only sign a maximum 3 yeard deal, 18 million, 8 million guaranteed. Then after those 3 years, if they haven't been cut yet, the players would become restricted free agents, and you give the team who drafted them every chance possible to sign them to a nice deal if they want, or get rid of them.

If it was not for the salary cap, those rookie deals would be UNREAL.

[prof22693]

They need a rookie contract maximum, especially for reasons like JaMarcus Russell, Brady Quinn, and Calvin Johnson (who did finally get signed). I would even do something like you can only sign a maximum 3 yeard deal, 18 million, 8 million guaranteed. Then after those 3 years, if they haven't been cut yet, the players would become restricted free agents, and you give the team who drafted them every chance possible to sign them to a nice deal if they want, or get rid of them.

If it was not for the salary cap, those rookie deals would be UNREAL.

Yeah sort of like the NBA with two year deals now for rookies, then the team can get rid of them or let them get signed elsewhere if need-be.

[general counsel]

Let the free market govern! Each team has the same cap dollars to spend. I see no reason to limit the amount the rookies can get paid. I agree that they are being paid out of proportion to their actual value compared to more proven guys, but thats what makes horse racing! Let each team decide how to allocate their own dollars on their own.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[Goldenfleece]

Those salary numbers are unreal. I heard LaRon Landry is also now the highest paid safety in the league. It would make a lot more sense for that money to be going to guys who had proven themselves. The thing is teams don't really have a choice as to how they spend on draftees unless they decide to just let their rookies hold out and re-enter the draft the next year. I don't think anything will be done about it unless it is addressed in the next CBA.

[badmoforamfan]

Those salary numbers are unreal. I heard LaRon Landry is also now the highest paid safety in the league. It would make a lot more sense for that money to be going to guys who had proven themselves. The thing is teams don't really have a choice as to how they spend on draftees unless they decide to just let their rookies hold out and re-enter the draft the next year. I don't think anything will be done about it unless it is addressed in the next CBA.

I totally agree with you. It is ridiculous the amount of money these "potential" nfl players are getting. They haven't even played a down in the NFL and they are already making more money than the majority of the guys that played in last years pro bowl.

[jkramsfan]

thats just freakin crazy money for a rookie lineman,he should play two postions for that.