Rookie Cap article and how it might affect Newton and other top picks

[panthers55]

One good thing about having the number 1 pick this year is not having to overpay Newton before he ever takes a snap. The rookie wage scale seems a vital piece to the CBA that both sides want for the most part. Who is most unhappy? Agents, of course.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2011-06-19-rookie-wage-scale-cam-newton_n.htm

[jtnc]

He'll probably get a 5 year 30 million dollar contract, and 10-15 million in guaranteed money. The contract will probably also include incentives.

[Ivan The Awesome]

I'm so glad this happened. Nothing against Cam, but rookies making more than vets is just wrong.

[CatMan72]

Let's hope there is a rookie scale, no matter how much you like Cam he shouldn't be making more than Peyton Manning before he's even taken a snap in the NFL.

[jtm]

Good article b/c it really shows how quickly rookie salaries have gotten out of control. From Matt Ryan getting $35 million, then Stafford getting $41, Bradford $50, and estimating Cam close to $60 million. Completely out of control and I am glad both sides agree to get this in check.

[Ricky Spanish]

they need to fix it, I don't understand how ANYONE could argue that there shouldn't be a rookie scale.

It'd be like your company hiring some guy out of college and paying him a salary twice as high as yours while you have already worked there for 5 years and do the exact same job as him.

[TruCatzFan]

they need to fix it, I don't understand how ANYONE could argue that there shouldn't be a rookie scale.

It'd be like your company hiring some guy out of college and paying him a salary twice as high as yours while you have already worked there for 5 years and do the exact same job as him.

Sounds like youre a Lil mad about somin'

[SOJA]

Bradford's contract is absolutely ridiculous, albeit he is good

[Woodie]

He'll probably get a 5 year 30 million dollar contract, and 10-15 million in guaranteed money. The contract will probably also include incentives.

That sounds about right.

But it makes me wonder, what pick would garner a similar contract for a QB in previous years, without the rookie scale? Would the contract Cam will sign be roughly equivalent to a QB picked at #8 or 9...higher, lower?