Rams Exec Confident in Sam Bradford Negotiations
The St. Louis Rams just opened negotiations with their number one overall pick Sam Bradford last week, but team official Kevin Demoff is confident a deal can be worked out before training camp.
"I don't think there's any reason to be nervous," Demoff, the Rams' chief operating officer, told a St. Louis radio station. "These deals are complex. They take twists and turns up until the end, but it's a deadline league."
Demoff stated that he would like to see Bradford report to training camp on time but sources are saying that a deal isn’t expected anytime soon. Apparently, the deal for Bradford could be a record setting deal for an NFL rookie.
Some reports have even speculated that Bradford may receive $50 million in guaranteed money. Last year’s number one overall pick quarterback (QB) Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions received $41.7 million in guaranteed money.
Demoff is handling negotiations with Bradford’s agent, Tom Condon, and is trying to give some perspective to the situation.
"Nobody is being absurd," Demoff said. "Everything is within reason. But there are some points to iron out and some feelings we both have on the way this wants to go. Those aren't necessarily public discussions. The goal is to come to an end product that makes sense for both sides, and I think we'll do that.”
Demoff also added that it is normal now-a-days with a number one overall pick to receive a lot of guaranteed money. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it ends up being disastrous for a franchise. Just ask the Oakland Raiders. It is also the fact that quarterbacks are the highest paid players in the league and the number one overall pick for the Rams is being banked on to lead the franchise to the kind of success they had a decade ago.
"I think there have been so many quarterbacks that have been drafted No. 1 overall, that this is not a unique situation by any stretch of the imagination," Demoff added. "... You try to piece together what you like and some of the changes you'd like to make maybe in the language or different spots. But this isn't Mideast peace or putting a cap on an oil well. This is essentially trying to figure out the right number and trying to create a contract that lives for a long time. A lot changes in that time period, and you want a deal that both sides don't wake up after a couple years and say, for better or worse, 'We don't like this.’”
Some are even wondering if Bradford will be the starter heading into the season for the St. Louis Rams. Smart money says he will be, as the Rams are likely to struggle this season and will want to see what their new franchise quarterback can produce. The Rams signed A.J Feeley this offseason, who has been a career-backup. Bradford is certainly capable of winning the starting job this year, but it will likely be a difficult transition season for him.
Patience will have to be a virtue for Rams fans as Bradford does not have a strong supporting cast this season, which is always difficult for a young quarterback. The offensive line is weak and his receiving corps is mediocre. All Bradford really has is a great running back behind him in Steven Jackson.
Meanwhile, Bradford is confident that a deal can be worked out: "At this point right now [agent Tom Condon] hasn't given me any indication that there's going to be any problems getting a contract done," Bradford said Tuesday while at the NFL Rookie Symposium. "I expect to be in camp, on time."
It usually doesn’t spell good news when a rookie holds out on a contract. Your first training camp is probably your most important one as Bradford needs to get a feel for the team he has around him before the upcoming season begins.
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