Second pick signed early??

[Yankee_In_TX]

Has #2 evern been signed before draft day?

No link, but SC said the NFL told the Rams they couldn't start talking to players, but is expected to reconsider.

[Yankee_In_TX]

Here we go

Although the Rams now are on the clock, the NFL is trying to decide if they can begin negotiating with the No. 2 pick. The team expects an answer on Wednesday. But even if the Rams did get permission to negotiate, team sources say it’s unlikely talks would begin before the draft.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/f...89084&srvc=rss

[The Pencil Neck]

Last night, ESPN's John Clayton had reported that the Rams couldn't sign the #2 guy. Personally, I don't see why not.

[hobie]

Well I am of the feeling if the team above you has their guy picked and signed, then the next one should be able to go forward if they have their guy decided on...I guess the NFL wants it to be all mysterious, and not something that is already known, plus they would go thru the first 2-3 picks in the first 5 minutes of the show....Can't make money off of commercials that way...!

[Ole Miss Texan]

Originally Posted by hobie

Well I am of the feeling if the team above you has their guy picked and signed, then the next one should be able to go forward if they have their guy decided on...I guess the NFL wants it to be all mysterious, and not something that is already known, plus they would go thru the first 2-3 picks in the first 5 minutes of the show....Can't make money off of commercials that way...!

Good points. I don't see why the Rams couldn't sign the next player but I also think if it's going to be this way, they need to have the team with the #1 pick wait until like 24 hours before the Draft starts. Just have it the day before they are allowed to sign/tell the public- and then the #2 team has to wait till the draft, none of this 5 days in advance business.

Otherwise the #1 team could sign a player right after the combine, #2 team sign someone a week later, and so forth... it's better to make the teams wait all the way up to the draft (I think it also saves the nfl teams from signing someone who they don't have full information on (character, injuries, etc)

[Htownsportsfan]

Its sounds as though the NFL has never dealt with such an early signing before and wants to progress carefully! Thats what large business always do. If I were the Rams I would be pushing it sure would make the choice between C. Long and Dorsey easier getting an idea of signability.

[Vinny]

If I were the Rams I'd start leveraging all the agents of the players you are considering taking and probably some of the agents of players I'm not considering and at least pretending like I am on a mission to sign my pick before the draft starts. Rumors would be spewing out of every crevice of the organization rolling into the draft. Perhaps you can pressure the guy you really like into a smaller guarantee or a trade offer can pop up from some club that gets impatient.

[TheRealJoker]

Didn't the Panthers sign Peppers pretty early?

[kastofsna]

they can't sign him because the Dolphins' pick hasn't been officially announced yet.

no #2 pick has been signed before the draft, in fact only a handful of #1's have been signed before. something like:

Steve Emtman
Tim Couch
David Carr
Carson Palmer
Mario Williams
Jake Long

[TheRealJoker]

Originally Posted by kastofsna

they can't sign him because the Dolphins' pick hasn't been officially announced yet.

no #2 pick has been signed before the draft, in fact only a handful of #1's have been signed before. something like:

Steve Emtman
Tim Couch
David Carr
Carson Palmer
Mario Williams
Jake Long

But they can "agree to terms" right?

[bah007]

Originally Posted by TheRealJoker

But they can "agree to terms" right?

That wouldn't really mean anything though.

Once the kid is drafted, his agent might decide he doesn't like those terms & try to go higher.

Unless the kid is allowed to put his signature on the paper then there is really no reason to work out a "for sure" deal with him.

And since, theoretically, the Dolphins don't have to draft Jake Long with the #1 pick, they could draft anyone. Which means the Rams can't sign anyone.

At least that's how I understand it.

[texanmojo]

If this were allowed...what would prevent teams from really starting the draft before its official day? I could see situations where many teams could have their pick locked up before draft day...

I say let teams get started as soon as they want...

Heck get the whole first round out of the way and just start TV coverage with the second...

[bah007]

Originally Posted by Polo

I say let teams get started as soon as they want...

Heck get the whole first round out of the way and just start TV coverage with the second...

But what about the $$$$$?

That's what televising the draft is all about!

[JCTexan]

Originally Posted by bah007

And since, theoretically, the Dolphins don't have to draft Jake Long with the #1 pick, they could draft anyone. Which means the Rams can't sign anyone.

At least that's how I understand it.

That's never happened so I don't know, but can they actually do that? The Dolphins have signed Jake Long but they can still draft Chris Long instead? I don't think the NFL would allow that.

[The Pencil Neck]

According to the NFLN, the NFL has stated that the Rams cannot begin negotiations with any player.

[PapaL]

Aww horse crap. The tv deal is going to last for 3 hours regardless of who is signed beforehand. In the game of economics and salary cap let them negotiate a deal. The league would still have to approve the deal even if the player signs so it's no biggie.

[barrett]

could signing a guy be the ultimate smoke screen? does the contract mean anything if that player isn't drafted by that team?

it's ridiculous I know. but for conversations sake...

[Yankee_In_TX]

Originally Posted by barrett

could signing a guy be the ultimate smoke screen? does the contract mean anything if that player isn't drafted by that team?

it's ridiculous I know. but for conversations sake...

No. A signed contract is a signed contract. And I am sure the contract states that the player is being signed pursuant to the draft.