Deal or No Deal
One thing noticeable about this year's NFL draft was its efficiency. In order to speed things up, teams were given less time to make their selections this year as opposed to last year.
As analysts from ESPN noted, the draft was "more streamlined." Teams would be wise to move just as quickly to get their prospects under contract. There is a world of difference between the NCAA and NFL, and the sooner the teams sign their picks, the better.
As of the draft's conclusion, only Miami had a deal done with its first rounder, signing Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long to a five-year, $57.75 million deal.
Long will not only have the benefit of money, he will also be in attendance for all off-season workouts, greatly flattening the learning curve as he makes the transition from college to the pros.
Chances are he will be more prepared for the season than last year's top pick, current Oakland Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell.
Unlike Long, Russell became embroiled in a prolonged holdout, missing all of training camp, and finally ending the stalemate after a week into the regular season.
Russell did end up getting the money (six years, $68 million) but all the missed practice stunted his development.
Oakland wasn't exactly set at the quarterback position, and Russell could've shot to the top of the depth chart with a good showing.
He did eventually get playing time, seeing sporadic duty late in the season before starting in the Oakland Raiders' final game against the San Diego Chargers. He finished the season going 36–66 for 373 yards, 2 TDs, 4 INTs, and a 55.9 passer rating.
Taken six spots after Russell by the Minnesota Vikings, running back Adrian Peterson held out briefly, only missing three days of training camp, but came to terms on a deal (five years, $40.5 million), enabling him to practice with his new teammates and get a better grip of the Vikings' blocking schemes.
The result? Peterson became the main component in Minnesota's offense, racking up 1,341 rushing yards (second only to LaDainian Tomlinson) with 12 rushing TDs. He put up those numbers even after missing two weeks from sustaining an injury in week 10 against Green Bay.
By season's end, Peterson had rushed for over 200 yards on two occasions, including a game where he set a league rushing record with 296 yards.
He was awarded rookie of the year honors by both the Associated Press and Diet Pepsi, and won the Pro Bowl MVP award on top of that.
Somewhere in between Peterson and Russell in terms of length of time holding out is the 10th pick overall from the 2006 draft.
Taken by the Arizona Cardinals, USC QB Matt Leinart held out for the first two weeks of training camp, earning the ire of then head coach Dennis Green.
Leinart showed up to camp late and began seeing regular action in week four. He finished the season going 214–377 for 2,547 yards with 11 TDs and 12 INTs, with a 4–7 record. The young Cardinal QB even passed for an NFL rookie record 405 yards in a game against the Minnesota Vikings—a respectable campaign to say the least.
Careers can be cut short rather quickly in the NFL, and it makes business sense to get as much money as you can. But getting under contract earlier is usually beneficial for the rookie season not to mention the negative press associated with a long holdout.
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