Shut Up, Sign the Contract, and Play

It seems we go through the same story every year with one or two players. Usually, it's a rookie quarterback or receiver who is trying to get more guaranteed money out of his first deal. This year, JaMarcus Russell has yet to sign with the Raiders and sources say negotiations could continue into September. Also, Brady Quinn held out until he signed a contract with the Browns on Tuesday. A few year's back, Eli Manning forced his way out of San Diego and into the hands of the New York Giants. So far, Manning has done little in the way of winning games to justify his tantrum as an NFL toddler. He could not even win a playoff game with Tiki Barber, Plaxico Burress, and Jeremy Shockey on his team. There's no need to mention what Philip Rivers did last season.

Why do rookies, particularly quarterbacks and receivers, come into the league thinking they have already accomplished something that lets them decide where they play and how much they get paid? In reality, they are getting an entry level job and should be treated as an entry level employee. The ones like JaMarcus Russell and Calvin Johnson are talented athletes from good programs in the same way a graduate from a top school is in the finance world. Although if I were JaMarcus Russell, I would not be terribly excited about playing in Oakland. But it should be his job to prove he can play at a high level before demanding a high contract. If Daunte Culpepper is healthy this year, Russell might end up riding the bench the whole season.

Brady Quinn is another example of someone who lost an opportunity to make an immediate impact on his team. The Browns are bad. Mostly, however, due to weakness at the quarterback position. Brady Quinn expected to be treated as a top ten pick but by dropping to 22nd in the draft, his first contract became considerably weaker. Because he whined about it by means of contract negotiations, he prevented himself from having a shot at the opening day starting role. The Browns will likely end up handing the quarterback position over to Quinn by the end of the season, but he took one step backwards by not having the chance to gel with teammates during training camp. No matter the skill of the quarterback, blockers, receivers, and running backs all need to be on the same page in order to make the offense work. With Quinn in camp, this season could have been much more constructive for the lowly Browns.

Opportunities come and go quickly in the NFL and one injury could make or break a player's career. Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, and Marc Bulger are prime examples of players who made the most of their chances before people thought they would be ready. So if you are a first round pick, especially quarterback, and have a chance to start your first season, get into camp, get better, and if you are confident about your abilities, you will succeed and get paid.

Perhaps I am being naive about the NFL. It is a business and players should look out for their long-term financial security in the same way people in other careers do. There are probably 50 stories of failure for every story of success in the NFL. However, for these first round picks, they are already going to get paid millions of dollars over at least two or three years, regardless of how well they play. Those with football on their minds will do what it takes to get good and let their play help write their paychecks.