According to Adam Schefter (everybody’s favorite ESPN NFL Insider), and as reported earlier this week by Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Friday (today) is when talks are scheduled to begin between the St. Louis Rams and the #1 overall pick, QB Sam Bradford.  This is about the time of the year when the 1st and 2nd round picks and their respective teams begin negotiations, so there’s nothing shocking about that.

What is shocking is that Bradford will command between $45M and $50M guaranteed money in his contract, the most ever in NFL history.  That’s a ton of money for a guy who hasn’t played a snap in the NFL.  The previous year, Detroit Lions QB Matt Stafford received $41M guaranteed, so the precedent has been set.  For as much money as Bradford will get, the hope is that the deal will be done quickly enough to get him into training camp.  Bradford is a competitor and knows that coach Steve Spagnuolo won’t hand him anything, which is par for the course in his dealings with rookies.  He wants to fight for, and earn, the starting job.  For $50M, he’d better be fighting hard.

One thing that might make getting this deal done a little easier: Tom Condon, Bradford’s agent, is based out of St. Louis.  No travel needed in order for the agent and the team to meet up might make schedules a lot easier to coordinate.

Other news on the draft pick front – 2nd round pick OT Rodger Saffold is also unsigned, which isn’t unheard of at this point in the offseason.  6th round TE Fendi Onobun is also unsigned, but I really have no idea why he isn’t signed right now.  The Rams were efficient in signing their rookies last offseason and Kevin Demoff has good number and salary cap sense.  I expect all three individuals to be in training camp on time or missing very little time.