Bradford should sign early

TULSA - Sam Bradford will soon be a multi-millionaire without throwing a football in a National Footoball League game. Amazing isn't it. Hey, I'm not here to knock it, trust me. This is America. But when you consider how the sports world works, you do shake your head a bit. When Bradford signs with St. Louis, the former OU Quarterback will be paid the biggest guarenteed money contract in NFL history. Close to $50-million dollars in bonus money, plus the year to year salary he would earn as long as he is still a member of his team.

Contract negotiations between Bradford and the Rams were expected to pick up this weekend, with NFL training camps opening the following weekend..July 28th is the first day of camp for the Rams.

Let us consider the circumstances.  Bradford was a great kid at OU, always pleasant, always gracious, always willing to take on any question following a good game or a bad game or a broken shoulder. That attitude will go a long way in his relationship with those who cover professional sports. We all hope that does not change because of all the money he will make in 2 weeks.

The NFL is a different game. Not only is it harder hitting, it is harder in the locker room. Young rookies who make more money than veteran teammates without ever suffering a simple bruise on a pro football field have a tendency of being ignored. It is not an easy transition. Locker room stories concerning vets vs rookies is legendary, and many not fit for family blogs.

Anyway, here is the situation facing Bradford. He comes to the Rams with all the guarenteed money, while at this very moment NFL Owners and the Players Association are already  at odds about a lockout probability for 2011. One of the main controversies surrounding the negotiations centers around a rookie salary cap, with the money to be better distributed to the veteran players. Owners may balk at that tradeoff, because the owners want to get a better share of the profits to pay for the new stadiums going up around the league.  Catch 22 for Sam Bradford and any other rookie coming into the league this season. The last bonus-baby class.

Many newcomers to the NFL always say the biggest transition is not the football, but the business part of the NFL. Bradford has to deal with all of that, and try to learn to be an NFL Quarterback, as the number one pick overall. Pressure much.

Sure, the money will ease the pain. He is set for the rest of his life. Also, Bradford appears to be mature enough to handle the toughest of the situations, but his toughest ever situation is about to be faced. The next 4 weeks will be hell month for Bradford. And I'm not talking joining a college fraternity. This is the National Football League, the toughest fraternity in the land.