Rams Start to Negotiate With Sam Bradford

With NFL training camps set to open in less than two weeks there are still no first round draft picks signed to contracts. NFL Network's Jason La Canfora and Michael Lombard confirmed the St. Louis Rams started contract negotiations with Sam Bradford's agent Tom Condon on Friday.

As a Rams fan I am still a little worried that the Rams still have not been sold to Stan Kroenke, and now it looks like the ownership will need to shell out around $50 million dollars in guaranteed money to sign Sam Bradford. This must be a nightmare for current owners Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez. The economy is in terrible shape, the Rams are coming off a 1-15 season and the current draft structure is basically going to force them to pay Sam Bradford more than the $41.7 million that the Detroit Lions gave Matthew Stafford last year. What can they do?

The NFL would like to implement a rookie wage scale as part of the new collective bargaining agreement. This has caused some to, believe it or not say the Rams should play hard ball with Sam Bradford during these negotiations. Some have actually stated that the Rams should just offer Sam Bradford the rookie minimum of slightly over $300,000 and if he doesn't like it he can sit out the season. Well that seems a little absurd for a franchise that has won 6 games in 3 years, is up for sale, and has a stadium lease issue.

Bottom line is the St. Louis Rams need to sign Sam Bradford and Rodger Saffold as soon as possible and get them in here for a full training camp. With Steven Jackson turning 27 and not much else to get excited about the Rams simply can't afford not to draft and sign their franchise quarterback. Also if the Rams were not prepared to pay out a huge sum of money for the number one overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft they simply would have traded out of the spot. Currently television networks are paying $20.4 billion to televise the NFL, and as long as that money keeps poring in a large portion will continue to go to its marquee players. The Rams absolutely have to sign Sam Bradford prior to the 2010 training camp starting and I believe that is exactly what they will do. The fact that talks have officially begun is very good news. Look for the vault to open soon.

By Stlvinnie - http://www.stlouisramfan.com