Wednesday, April 21, 2010

O.K. Here’s one major problem, and I mean major, that the National Football League faces. In 2009, the Atlanta Falcons paid rookie quarterback Matt Ryan $34 million in guaranteed money and an average salary of $11 million annually. In 2010, Matthew Stafford received $42 million guaranteed and averages $12 million per year from Detroit. This year, Sam Bradford is reportedly ready to sign a deal worth $50 million guaranteed and a $13 million annual salary. No player should ever be paid more money for stepping on the field for the first time than the players who have proved themselves. It’s not good business and the NFL will be forced to address it.

The Scores Report asked this college basketball question, ‘Why do you hate Duke?" Thirty-seven percent of the respondents admitted they didn’t hate the Blue Devils. The top reason for those who did was "they get all the calls" which drew 20 percent of the responses and "private school, elitist student body" was next with 14 percent. Surprisingly coach Mike Krzyzewski drew only three percent.

Ordinarily I don’t comment on college football recruiting and commitments, but I couldn’t get past this one. Pro style quarterback Jeff Driskel from Oviedo, Fla. said he’s going to Florida. He described himself thusly: "I’m a big, tall quarterback who can make plays in the pocket. I can run, too and I feel like I can make any throw. I can do pro-style or the spread and I’m really versatile." Yeah, but what do you really think of yourself, Jeff?
Former Syracuse athletics director Jake Crouthamel told the New York Times that he fears for the Big East Conference’s survival if the Big 10 goes through with its expansion plans. The former Orange AD, who helped create the Big East, says utter chaos is just around the corner in college football.

And what, you may ask, is the big draw to go to the Big 10 for Big East schools? The Big 10 has an annual payout to its member institutions of $20 million. The Big East offers $7 million.

Those watching spring practice in Tallahassee say that new football coach Jimbo Fisher couldn’t have a more different approach than former FSU coach Bobby Bowden. Fisher is hands-on, in-your face with immediate feedback to the players. Bowden watched practice from a three-story tower in the middle of the field.

Now here’s a salary that’s well deserved. Boise State is waiting on approval from its state Board of Education to give football coach Chris Petersen a five-year contract extension with a salary of $1.2 million per year. Petersen’s four-year record with the Broncos is 49-4.

This is Norman Arey and I wouldn’t care if the Big East went away.