Cutler And Young Now On Outside Looking In
By http://www.mysportsbookonline.info/
It happens every year. Players projected to go high in the NFL right up until the point where Paul Tagliabue says, "Houston is on the clock", will somehow and for whatever reason fall from their projected positions costing that player millions in guaranteed signing bonus money and salary considerations. It's sometimes painful to watch yet one of the most compelling aspects of watching the draft.
Last year's unfortunate victim was Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Two week's before last year's draft, Rodgers was generally considered the favorite to be drafted first overall by the 49ers. That honor went to Utah's Alex Smith who eventually signed a $49 million deal with more than $24 million guaranteed. Over the next three plus hours, as other teams dealt and drafted for need, ESPN would show shots of the befuddled Rodgers he dropped lower and lower.
More drama unfolded half-way through the first round as it was announced that Washington had traded to move up to the 25th spot to guarantee getting Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell who had blown away Skins HC Joe Gibbs in workouts and interviews. Rodgers was no looking at not even being the second quarterback taken in the draft. Rodgers was eventually taken 24th overall by Green Bay as the heir apparent to Bret Favre. As expected, Campbell was taken next by Washington.
Don't get me wrong. We don't have to pass the hat for Aaron Rodgers but the difference in money is huge. Rodgers, after missing four practices in mini-holdout, eventually signed a near identicle deal to that of JP Losman of Buffalo who was a late first-round choice by Buffalo in 2004. Rodgers's deal was a five-years for $7.7 million, $5.4 million guaranteed, with escalators that would increase value of contract to overall $30 million if all performance and roster bonuses were met.
After this week's spate of free agency activity, two quarterbacks who just two weeks ago appeared to be slam dunk Top-10 selections, suddenly find themselves on the outside looking in. That would be Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler and Texas' all-everything Vince Young.
Cutler's stock soared
