Schefter: No Bradford/Rams contract before draft

[Nick]

Just Tweeted these two items...

Adam_Schefter For the first time in three years, the No. 1 overall
pick will not be signed before the NFL draft.
15 minutes ago via web

Adam_Schefter The St. Louis Rams and QB Sam Bradford will not
have a contract in place before the draft -- both sides' decision.
15 minutes ago via web

[Bralidore(RAMMODE)]

Re: Schefter: No Bradford/Rams contract before draft

Hmm, both sides decided eh? Seems to me the Rams are keeping the possibilty of a trade down to the wire. I'll bet that once/if he Is drafted they have had enough negotiations on the contract that he willg et signed relatively fast after.

[PeoriaRam]

Re: Schefter: No Bradford/Rams contract before draft

Hmm, both sides decided eh? Seems to me the Rams are keeping the possibilty of a trade down to the wire. I'll bet that once/if he Is drafted they have had enough negotiations on the contract that he willg et signed relatively fast after.

I'd take that bet. What is Bradford's incentive to sign right after the draft?

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I thought the McNabb to Washington deal ended this franchise's efforts at retarded brinkmanship and unnecessary risk-taking for the offseason. I guess I was mistaken.

[01d 0rd3r]

Re: Schefter: No Bradford/Rams contract before draft

What is Bradford's incentive to sign right after the draft?

Not having to wait until next year to be drafted would be a pretty good reason to sign.

I thought the McNabb to Washington deal ended this franchise's efforts at retarded brinkmanship and unnecessary risk-taking for the offseason. I guess I was mistaken.

Yes, lets not try to get as many draft picks a humanly possible. Seriously why would we not wait until the very last minute, when at any time someone could offer a trade. Suppose Cleavland decides they want Bradford on draft day. We get multiple picks and are still able to get a very good QB in Clausen. What the FO is doing is far from Brinksmanship, they are simply waiting and hoping for an offer, what many people would perceive as a smart move. So please explain the negatives effects of this move.

[PeoriaRam]

Re: Schefter: No Bradford/Rams contract before draft

Not having to wait until next year to be drafted would be a pretty good reason to sign.

That doesn't mean he can't hold out of training camp. Indeed, that's a very good option for him: He gets a couple extra million dollars, and gets spared a year's worth of battering helming our offense because he'll be unprepared to lead our offense.

Yes, lets not try to get as many draft picks a humanly possible. Seriously why would we not wait until the very last minute, when at any time someone could offer a trade. Suppose Cleavland decides they want Bradford on draft day. We get multiple picks and are still able to get a very good QB in Clausen. What the FO is doing is far from Brinksmanship, they are simply waiting and hoping for an offer, what many people would perceive as a smart move. So please explain the negatives effects of this move.

Cleveland's first round pick is really, really not worth taking due to a combination of diminished available talent and less diminished contracts. We would get a horrible ROI for any pick between #4 and #15.

[thickandthin]

Re: Schefter: No Bradford/Rams contract before draft

How does Schefter know if he won't sign and the Rams aren't trying to sign him before?

[01d 0rd3r]

Re: Schefter: No Bradford/Rams contract before draft

That doesn't mean he can't hold out of training camp.

OK, fair enough. I was under the impression you were talking about holding out the entire year.

Cleveland's first round pick is really, really not worth taking due to a combination of diminished available talent and less diminished contracts. We would get a horrible ROI for any pick between #4 and #15.

I would have to disagree, true the big names of Suh and Bradford will be gone by this time. We would still be in a position to take a great players in Dan Williams, or upgrade our secondary with Eric Berry who will still be on the board most likely. Not to mention Jimmy Clausen will still be there, and at the #7 pick he would not be a bad investment. All of this and additional picks in the 2nd and 3rd round would be a great deal for this franchise. I would be very open to a trade with Cleveland, if of course the price is right.

[Nick]

Re: Schefter: No Bradford/Rams contract before draft

Schefter has elaborated:

Sources: Rams won't sign No. 1 pick
Updated: April 16, 2010, 7:14 PM ET

The No. 1 pick in the NFL draft will not be signed before Thursday's first round, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Friday.

The St. Louis Rams and expected top pick, quarterback Sam Bradford, will not have a contract in place before the draft.

The Rams don't think they need to have the player signed and Bradford has been hesitant to complete a deal.

The contract for the No. 1 overall pick will likely be staggering. Bradford's contract is expected to pay him an average of $13 million a season with roughly $50 million in guaranteed money. These figures are based on the past two drafts, when Matt Ryan and Matthew Stafford were the first quarterbacks picked.

Two years ago, the Falcons' Ryan received $34 million in guaranteed money on a deal that averages $11 million a season. Stafford, who was picked No. 1 last season by the Lions, received $42 million in guaranteed money on his deal, which averages $12 million a season.

The Rams know the numbers and think the player will sign eventually. Bradford wants to see how the draft plays out and if a team such as Cleveland trades up to get him. Such a scenario could provide him with more leverage.

[PeoriaRam]

Re: Schefter: No Bradford/Rams contract before draft

I would have to disagree, true the big names of Suh and Bradford will be gone by this time. We would still be in a position to take a great players in Dan Williams, or upgrade our secondary with Eric Berry who will still be on the board most likely. Not to mention Jimmy Clausen will still be there, and at the #7 pick he would not be a bad investment. All of this and additional picks in the 2nd and 3rd round would be a great deal for this franchise. I would be very open to a trade with Cleveland, if of course the price is right.

Dan Williams would probably start, but I'm not sure I like the idea of paying the 3rd best Defensive Tackle in the draft that kind of coin.

I, other fans, and presumably Atogwe and his agent, would take pronounced issue about Berry's contract when we are balking at whatever number Atogwe is throwing out there. Actually, the word "indefensible" is kind of hovering around at the back of my mind as the appropriate adjective here.

Setting aside the "Jimmy Clausen isn't that good" issue....at least I would have plenty of opportunities to make derogatory Ouran High School Host Club photoshops with him.

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And I still think all of this is playing into Bradford's hands. Devaney and company are essentially playing chicken with themselves, and I have trouble conceiving of a way that this ends in a way that is optimal for the Rams.

[general counsel]

Re: Schefter: No Bradford/Rams contract before draft

Its not all that complicated. If the kroenke situation somehow works itself out quickly and the rams wait until after the sale of the team to sign bradford, chip saves about 30 mill cash. Whats bradfords incentive to sign? Risk adversity. What if he slips and falls or gets into a car accident and hurts his knee?

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[39thebeast]

Re: Schefter: No Bradford/Rams contract before draft

Demoff is a crafty negotiator he will get it done. I'm sure when making the contract he will make sure ownership issues wont get in the way.

The Rams know what it is going to take, the only problem is the fine tuning and that is where Demoff will excel IMO.

[PeoriaRam]

Re: Schefter: No Bradford/Rams contract before draft

Demoff is a crafty negotiator he will get it done. I'm sure when making the contract he will make sure ownership issues wont get in the way.

The Rams know what it is going to take, the only problem is the fine tuning and that is where Demoff will excel IMO.

Can I see some proof of this crafty negotiation?

[Bralidore(RAMMODE)]

Re: Schefter: No Bradford/Rams contract before draft

my god peoria, i have to ask who WOULD you take at any spot. Your solution seems to be lets not draft anyone and save all the money. I've yet to hear you say anything good about nay prospect besides Suh, and if we traded down he's not there. So who do you pick at 7?

[39thebeast]

Re: Schefter: No Bradford/Rams contract before draft

Can I see some proof of this crafty negotiation?

Jason Brown-Signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract. The deal contains $20 million guaranteed, including an $11 million signing bonus and the base salaries in years one and two. Brown's contract will void after the 2012 season if he reaches incentives based on wins and performance. The Rams can also "buy back" the year by adding $2.3 million to Brown's 2013 base salary. 2009: $4 million, 2010: $5 million, 2011: $4 million, 2012: $5 million, 2013: $6.2 million, 2014: Free Agent. Cap charge: $6.2 million (2009).

Ron Bartell-Signed a four-year, $25 million contract. The deal contains $13.6 million guaranteed, including a $5 million signing bonus and Bartell's base salaries in years one and two. Another $3 million is available through incentives. 2009: $4.1 million, 2010: $4.5 million, 2011: $5.2 million, 2012: $6.2 million, 2013: Free Agent. Cap charges: $5.4 million (2009), $5.8 million (2010), $6.5 million (2011), $7.5 million (2012).

James Butler- Signed a four-year, $14 million contract. Another $3 million is available through incentives. 2009: $1.925 million, 2010: $2.5 million, 2011: $3 million, 2012: $3.5 million, 2013: Free Agent

Daniel Fells- 3/10/2010: Signed a one-year, $745,000 contract. The deal included an initial roster bonus of $50,000. Another $$25,000 is available through "likely to be earned" incentives. $730,000 more can be made through incentives, although they are "unlikely to be earned." 2010: $695,000, 2011: Free Agent

Why are these deals crafty? Most of them are backloaded or only guaranteed in the first few years. Rams aren't tied down if they don't perform up to their dollar amount. Bigger money comes off the cap as they get older and when they are younger and producing more you have them cheaply.

[PeoriaRam]

Re: Schefter: No Bradford/Rams contract before draft

my god peoria, i have to ask who WOULD you take at any spot. Your solution seems to be lets not draft anyone and save all the money. I've yet to hear you say anything good about nay prospect besides Suh, and if we traded down he's not there. So who do you pick at 7?

No one. I go to late first round and load up on potential starters who won't represent franchise-crippling expenditures if they bust out.