Talk about inflation — the Detroit Lions have signed Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford to a $70+ million contract with $41.7 million guaranteed. The Lions, 0-16 in 2008, will pick Stafford first in Saturday’s NFL Draft. In contrast, two years ago, the top pick, quarterback Jamrcus Russell by the Raiders, got “only” $29 million guaranteed.
It is an odd system that pays untested rookies gobs more money than veterans who have proven themselves (Ben Roethlisberger, who has won two Super Bowls, signed a contract last year with about $33 million guaranteed). At least Stafford won’t have to lug around beer kegs anymore; he can just buy a brewery. I have not seen Stafford play much, but for those who did, is he going to be an NFL success?
on Apr 24th, 2009 at 10:44 PM
No! I think most any of the SEC fans posting here are somewhat miffed that Stafford is getting all of this attention. He makes more than his share of brainfart decisions, esp when he’s under pressure. Georgia’s offense for the last two years has centered exclusively around Knowshon Moreno. And even then, Stafford rarely could get it done.
on Apr 25th, 2009 at 1:05 AM
This boggles my mind.
Why would ANYONE guarentee $41.7 Million to a player that has zero NFL experience and is no guarentee to succeed in the pros?
I like how the NHL works where all rookies sign a 3-year entry level contract worth a maximum of $750,000 per year. Once that’s done, then you can go for the big payday should you have earned it.
on Apr 25th, 2009 at 8:49 AM
I need his agent to negotiate my (college professor) contact!
on Apr 25th, 2009 at 10:41 AM
GO Dawgs! Sic’em. Woof Woof Woof.
Wes, If Stafford couldn’t get it done, then they would not be paying him so much money. The scouts like what they see. National championships and high numbers offense does not always equal success in the pro level.
on Apr 25th, 2009 at 12:05 PM
That’s exactly it – it doesn’t guarentee success at the pro level yet teams are throwing around ridiculous contracts with seemingly no second thoughts.
What if this kid turns into the second coming of Ryan Leaf? I’m not saying that he will as I think he’ll have a decent career but to guarentee a guy who’s never stepped foot in an NFL game $41 Million is absurd.
on Apr 25th, 2009 at 5:56 PM
The pay scale in the NFL is out of whack. It’ll be interesting to see what happens if they get to the 2010 season without a new deal, because if they don’t there will be no salary cap in 2010 and the players say if the salary cap is gone they will never allow it to return.
on Apr 25th, 2009 at 8:25 PM
He’s certainly not on Tim Tebow’s level….(but then again, who is?!) He never could win when it counted, but he’s relatively hot, so I’m happy for him!
on Apr 25th, 2009 at 10:34 PM
If Stafford is worth 70+, then Tebow would have been worth 100 mil
on Apr 26th, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Heh – I bet Tebow’s agent has already changed his underwear at least a dozen times when he heard what Stafford got. Just think what HE’s going to ask for when Tebow goes pro (and what the agent’s cut is going to be)!
on Apr 26th, 2009 at 8:46 PM
well, stafford can’t be any worse than cuelpepper, henson, stanton and kitna. we lions fans have pretty low standards and will pay anyone to come here.
I don’t know how well he will do since the lions offensive line has more open holes than a bath house on saturday night. kinda hard to throw when there’s somebody in your face within 2 seconds.
But yeah if petigrew can add some extra blocking so stafford can hit megatron for a few tds, I think we’ll go 5-11 this year.
on Apr 27th, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Stafford is going no where. He could not produce at GA and he won’t anywhere else. He left before he should have, and now watch him crumble.