Ryan Van Bibber of Turf Show TImes has an excellent (and concerning) look at the Rams' negotiating position as Sam Bradford talks continue.
↵↵↵I can't imagine the Rams getting all John Foster Dulles with Tom Condon and taking up a little brinksmanship. With a pending change in ownership, the need to at least explore a stadium deal (somewhere) and three years of flat ticket sales, Kevin Demoff isn't exactly negotiating from a position of strength.
↵Yes, rookie deals are ridiculous, but there's nothing owners can do about it at this point other than live with it. That falls under that timeless wisdom of hating the game, rather than the, ahem, playa. Spare us the digression on rookie salaries until we're talking CBA.
↵Think of Bradford's mega deal as one last poke from the previous era, a booby trap left by Jay Zygmunt as security dragged him and his banker's box full of stolen office supplies off the premises.
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As he mentions at the conclusion of his article, at least the Rams aren't the only team held hostage by the promise of the biggest rookie contract in history: The teams who had the pleasure of drafting Ndamukong Suh second and Gerald McCoy third are also indirectly party to these negotiations:
↵↵↵Speaking to reporters at a Oklahoma City RedHawks minor league baseball game - where he threw out the first pitch - [Gerald McCoy] told the Associated Press Saturday night that he's "waiting on King Sam" to make a deal.
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Our apologies, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Our sincerest apologies.