NFL Negotiations: Cam Newton's Possible Capped Rookie Salary

One of the key issues remaining in current NFL negotiations is the proposed rookie salary cap.  

The proposal suggests five-year deals for first-round picks including a trigger that would “push the fifth year to 150 percent of an average starter’s salary at his position, with a floor of $6 million and a ceiling of $12 million” for the first eight picks.

This sounds reasonable considering the average NFL salary range in 2010 was from $1.4 million to $2.4 million, therefore leading a five-year contract to equal on the high-end $12.5 million. 

This situation reminds me of a first date with your dream woman. How much should you spend? What is she worth? Do you set limits? Would you take her on a cruise to the Caribbean, fly her to Paris, even visit the Taj Mahal?  

That's what that NFL did with Sam Bradford, providing a six-year contract for a rookie quarterback for $78 million. Mind you this turned out to be a winning date, as Bradford broke Peyton Manning's record for the most completed passes by a rookie quarterback, finishing with 354 completions in 590 attempts.

Bradford's $13 million per year may be paying off, but there are no guarantees.

When the average yearly salary for a quarterback is $1.9 million, it proves how the NFL showed no limits in wooing this rookie. 

The only person who might take a first date to see the pyramids of Egypt and find the rookie cap too small would be Viacom's Phillippe P. Dauman, whose total compensation in 2010 was $84.5 million. Unlimited funds and resources allots Mr. Dauman the ability to financially charm his ladies of interest. 

Yet let's get back to reason. When dream dates come, its not always the expenditure but time and hope that matters. And in the case of players, training, too.

When the average U.S. salary is approximately $50,000, a typical date may be as cheap as a picnic or at a four-star restaurant. Cruises, trips abroad or buying your new lady a beach cottage is off the table. So, too, should the NFL utilize reasonable financial restraints when drafting new players. 

With the rookie salary cap proposal, the spotlight shines on quarterback Cam Newton, the No. 1 draft pick selected by the Carolina Panthers.

The latest news suggests the NFL is sacrificing rookie salaries. Like it would be a sacrifice to not go to Paris on that dream date? Yes, it would be delightful, but not necessary to gain the attention and affection needed for a successful date. Financial excesses do not guaranteed she will sleep with you or that the best player can do all that is expected once on the field.

I am anxiously awaiting to see Newton on the field, showing all that he can.  

He can do this with $13 million or $2 million per year. Let's not let this inhibit our players or be a barrier in the lockout negotiations. He may be the dream date of the NFL, or myself for that matter, yet limits can be good thing, in all arenas.

I would spend $200 or so for that date, and the NFL can afford much more even when they secure the cap. If only Newton and the other rookies can see past their greed and look toward years of success on the field, then we can all be satisfied. Set the cap, end the negotiations, get on the field!

That is a dream date for us all.