Without Taking A Snap In the NFL Sam Bradford Strikes It Rich

August 4, 2010 – 9:56 am by timgunter

We all know the 2010 season is going to be an uncapped year, and we all know that the potential for a work stoppage next season is growing each and every day.  In an era where new stadiums are being built around the league with the help of private funding, the fight is about, how big of a piece of the financial pie the players should get?  Currently the players receive fifty-nine percent of the revenue, which by the way is the largest among top professional sports in the US, but the owners are worried about how they can maintain an acceptable profit margin while paying players a growing share of the pie.  Another issue that will be front and center during CBA negotiations is implementing a rookie salary cap.  The amount of money being guaranteed to rookies, who have yet to play a down in the NFL, is alarming and should be an issue of concern.        

Sam Bradford, who is coming off of shoulder surgery and has never taken a snap in the NFL, just signed a contract that will guarantee him $50 million and a possible $78 million over six years.  Sure the kid was pretty good in college but what happened to paying the guys who deserve it, the veterans.  Take for instance Tom Brady, who by the way has three Super Bowl wins, a proven arm, and an uncanny ability of being a clutch performer.  He is in the last year of a $60 million contract and is set to make $6.5 million this season ($3.5 base salary and $3 in roster bonus).  Anyone get the idea there is something wrong here?  NFL owners certainly think so, which is why the issue of a rookie salary cap will be front and center if and when the league and the players get down to serious bargaining for the agreement that expires next year.  Sure, rookies should be guaranteed money but not as much as they are getting right now.  That money should be going to veteran players that have produced on the field, not just in high school and college.  Who knows?  Maybe Bradford will end up being the next Joe Montana or Dan Marino and may deserve the money after all.  Yes, he is going to have to do a lot to revive what has been the worst franchise in the NFL as of late, but until he produces on the field, I don’t think he deserves it.  It only seems logical that the only opposition to the rookie salary cap would be the players’ agents, and we all know that they will not go down without a fight.

Sam Bradford joined ESPN 101 in St. Louis to talk about his thoughts on how Training Camp is going for him so far, whether he has a feel that Rams fans are looking up to him and expecting big things out of him, and whether he feels like he is getting to the point where the team respects him as the starting quarterback.

His thoughts on how Training Camp is going for him so far:

“Definitely in the last two days there has been a lot put in.  There has been a lot come at me, a lot come at everyone in the past few days.  It just feels great to be out there on the football field again.  It feels great to be out there practicing and it has been a lot of fun so far.”

Whether having to take jokes from the veteran players about signing the big contract is just a part of going through the whole rookie process:

“Yeah it is part of it.  Everyone told me that you have got to be prepared for it and I know that is just how things go, just kind of take it one joke or one comment at a time, it is all good.”

Whether he has a feel that Rams fans are looking up to him and expecting big things out of him:

“I really try to stay away from all of the media and stuff so I am really not sure what has been out there.  I know just being out here in training camp and the support that we have received so far in the first couple of days has been great.  Having all of the fans out here has been really been positive just in some of my interactions with them it has just been really encouraging.  Everyone is really excited for the season and I think that is great.  I hope that continues throughout the season.”

Whether going to Oklahoma has helped him adjust to life in the NFL:

“Definitely.  In Norman, we don’t have a pro football team in Oklahoma so we are kind of like the pro team and I did have a little bit of experience.  I am sure that in the NFL it is going to be a whole different level.”

Whether he has had a chance to bond with some of the receivers:

“Yeah, I think we are getting there.  After practice, I usually try to grab a couple of them and just go through some different routes.  I think that really helps.  We really don’t get a lot of individual time in practice so any extra time we can spend after practice just getting familiar with each other I think will be very beneficial.”

Whether he feels like he is getting to the point where the team respects him as the starting quarterback:

“I can’t tell you how other people feel.  That is the attitude and the approach that I am trying to take.  I want to be on the field this year.  I realize that there is a long way to go before I am ready to be on the field.  But I think if I take the approach that I should be out there, to have the opportunity to be out there and put the work in.  Hopefully it will happen.”

Sam Bradford on ESPN 101 in STL with Bernie Miklasz

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