True Life: I Get Overpaid To Be a Backup Quarterback

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has addressed the issue of monster contracts for rookies in the NFL to be looked at over the next couple of seasons. The amount of money rookies are guaranteed to make when drafted in the NFL is absurd and changes need to be made.

There are so many busts in the NFL each season it's not even funny. The NFL needs to take an approach like the NBA.

In the NBA, rookies drafted in the first round are given contracts according to their draft position. The first pick gets paid more than the second pick and so on. The contracts will be for two years, with a team option for the third and fourth year.

When a player gets drafted into the NBA, they have to prove themselves if they want a monster contract. If a player doesn't perform well in his first couple of seasons, he isn't going to make the same money that some NFL rookies are guaranteed before they even step on the field.

Did LeBron James sign a $70 million contract when he was drafted by the Cavaliers?

Of course not. The NBA doesn't allow these outrageous contracts for rookies. LeBron James, the guy that a lot of people compared to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant before he even played a single game in the NBA, made just under $13 million in his first three years in the league.

Let's compare Derrick Rose, the top overall pick in the NBA draft this season, and Jake Long, the top overall pick in the NFL draft this season.

Both athletes are blessed to have the talent that they have. Rose shined at Memphis as a freshman, as he led the Tigers to the NCAA Championship game. He brings his skills to the Chicago Bulls, where he hopes to make an immediate impact.

Long had an unbelievable career at Michigan. His four years of protecting quarterback Chad Henne have paid off, as he has a great career ahead of him with the Miami Dolphins.

So what is the difference between two athletes drafted No. 1 overall in two different sports?

Derrick Rose is expected to make around $4.8 million this season and about $5.2 million the next season. The Bulls have a choice on whether or not to pick up his option for his third and fourth season, where he would earn about $5.5 and $7 million.

Not bad for a guy who just celebrated his 20th birthday a few weeks ago.

Thanks to the high-paying salaries in the NFL, Jake Long is guaranteed more money than Rose has the possibility of making in four years with the Bulls.

Long became the highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL when he signed a five-year deal with the Dolphins worth around $57.8 million. $30 million of that is guaranteed. It must be nice to make that kind of money before you even play your first career NFL game.

So, if Long becomes one of the worst offensive lineman in the league, giving up sack after sack, at least he still receives $30 million no matter what.

Jake Long could go on to have one of the best careers for an offensive lineman in NFL history. He is already making an impact on a young Dolphins team. However, there is no reason for him to be making the money he is before proving to the Dolphins he is the real deal.

There are so many players in the NFL who don't deserve the monster contracts their team provided them with. Three guys that come to mind this season are Alex Smith, Matt Leinart, and Vince Young.

Take a look at the contracts these young quarterbacks play under and their stats:

Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers: six-year deal, $49.5 million with $24 million guaranteed.

*Fourth season in the NFL

*19 career touchdown passes, 31 career interceptions

Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals: six-year deal, $51 million with $14 million guaranteed.

*Third season in the NFL

*13 career touchdown passes, 16 career interceptions

Vince Young, Tennessee Titans: five-year deal, possibly $58 million if sixth year is picked up, with $25.7 million guaranteed.

*Third season in the NFL

*22 career touchdown passes, 32 career interceptions

The funny thing about these three players is they are all sitting on the bench watching other quarterbacks start. The 49ers decided to give J.T. O'Sullivan a chance at quarterback after Smith continued to disappoint. It must be nice to watch your team play every Sunday with the thought of "I'm still getting millions" running through the back of your mind.

If O'Sullivan struggles, there is a chance that we could see him play again this season. That doesn't appear to be the case for Leinart and Young.

Both highly-paid quarterbacks were replaced by veterans who have led their teams to outstanding records so far this season.

Kurt Warner was named the starter during preseason and has led the Arizona Cardinals to a 4-2 record this season. They are currently in first place in a struggling NFC West. Warner needs two more touchdown this season to pass Leinart's career touchdown mark. That's pretty sad when you compare the six games Warner's started this season to the 16 games Leinart's started in his career.

Young's situation is a bit different.

Young was injured in the first game of the season. Since then, Kerry Collins had been starting at quarterback. Young had a few off-field issues that questioned whether or not he could handle the job of starting quarterback for the Titans.

The Titans are the only undefeated team left in the NFL, with a 6-0 record. I will admit, it's obvious the Titans' defense and strong play at the running back position is the main reason why the Titans are undefeated this season.

However, every team needs a quarterback to run the offense. Collins may not have Peyton Manning-type numbers, but he is doing enough to help the Titans win. And that is the reason why Jeff Fisher is sticking with Collins at quarterback.

I'm sure all three of these starters would love to make the same money their backups are making to ride the bench. Unfortunately, that is just the way contracts for rookies work in the NFL. Guys can make millions for simply having no impact on whether or not their team wins.

It's time for Goodell to find a solution to these ludicrous contracts rookies are guaranteed. He needs to find a way to reduce the contracts rookies receive just for the position they are drafted in. Make them play hard to earn the monster contracts they want.

Instead of spending money on players who don't deserve monster contracts, spread it around to the players who deserve it.