The Norman Transcript

OU Sports

Discussion

January 14, 2009

What did they give up?

John Shinn

Some will say Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford threw money away with his decision to return to school for his junior season Wednesday. If he had entered the NFL draft, millions of dollars would have been waiting for him.

But what he may have done is make a business-savvy investment. Tight end Jermaine Gresham, offensive tackle Trent Williams and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy may have done the same.

OU coach Bob Stoops tried to make the point Wednesday.

“They all see the value in another year’s experience in improving their draft position,” he said. “Every time you improve five spots, eight spots, 10 spots … You’ve (made) three or four times your money. That’s a factor.”

When a player is taken in the NFL draft is everything. Money decreases with every selection.

There was little doubt Bradford was going to be a first-round pick. But the difference between early-first-round money and late first-round money is night and day.

This past year, Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan was taken No. 3 overall and inked a six-year contract worth $72 million ($34 million guaranteed). Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco was taken 18th overall and got a five-year deal worth $30 million ($8.75 guaranteed).

Just 14 spots in the first round came out to roughly four times the guaranteed money.

Bradford said it wasn’t the money that swayed him to stay in school, but the fact no one could guarantee he was going to be a high first-round pick, made the decision easier.

“There’s a big difference between what you hear right now and what happens in April,” he said.

Three OU players found that out last season.

Malcolm Kelly, Reggie Smith and Curtis Lofton all left after their junior seasons. Kelly and Smith were projected as first-round picks until the NFL combine and OU’s pro day revealed 40 times that weren’t of the elite variety.

“A lot of agents and people want to say, ‘Well, you can do better than that. In a month’s period of time, I’m going to increase your 40 speed or change you this way, and all of a sudden you’ll jump to here,’” Stoops said. “That doesn’t happen very often. In fact, it didn’t happen for any of our guys a year ago. You look at second- and third-round dollars and what those guys’ contracts are compared to giving up school and/or having the possibility to jump to the first round, I think they’re giving up too much.”

Gresham, Williams and McCoy didn’t follow the path of Kelly, Smith and Lofton.

Only Gresham appears to be taking a risk, but it may not be that big.

The NFL draft advisory board projected him as a first-round pick. Tight ends, however, aren’t often high on teams’ wish lists.

Williams and McCoy have the chance to really move up. They were both projected as second-round selections. If both are able to move into the first round next year, the could easily triple or quadruple their first contract.

The average NFL career lasts less than four seasons, making the rookie contract the only one most players sign.

“You have to maximize your opportunity and get value for your ability,” Stoops said. “Some of those guys that go early, they get a four-year contract and they play at a discount.”

John Shinn

366-3536

jshinn@normantranscript.com

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