Yesterday, Brady Quinn ended an 11-day holdout from Cleveland Browns training camp and agreed to a five-year contract worth $20.2 million. The deal could swell to $30 million over five years.
Quinn's holdout essentially eliminated his chances to begin the season as the team's starter. What's more troubling for the NFL is the growing threats and holdouts from first-round draft picks.
With Quinn signed, two first-round picks -- Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the top overall selection, and cornerback Darrelle Revis of the New York Jets, the No. 14 pick -- were without contracts. It's becoming common practice for NFL teams to start training camp in August without their top draft picks.
Last year, the most notable holdout among first-rounders was Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart. Leinart was involved in a prolonged holdout before he agreed to a six-year $51 million deal. The Cardinals quarterback was the last member of the '06 draft class to sign a contract.
This is becoming an epidemic in the NFL. Teams should not have to fork out veteran money to ink untested rookies. Just because some scouts think so-and-so might be the second coming Dan Marino, he should have to prove himself on the field before demanding fifth-year veteran money.
In Quinn's case, the deal he reached makes sense and he isn't making top ten money. But holding out ultimately hurt Quinn and he has to play catch-up at professions toughest position.
If the current trend continues the league is going to sink itself. The NFL is already beginning to abandon the major television networks which helped propel its popularity and if teams let rookies demand veteran pay, before they ever step on the field things will unravel quickly.
The NFL should follow the NBA's suit and script the first-round salaries for rookies. It would ensure that rookies make into training camp on time benefiting themselves, their new teams and the fans. Not to mention it would stop the escalating salary madness.
Quinn's in, it's time for Revis and Russell to follow.
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