Mcfadden’s Money: Big Bucks no Whammies

At least thats what Raider fans expect and hope.

Record setting contracts are being bandied about this off season in a League experiencing unprecedented growth and popularity. What can this mean for Oaklands fast and sometimes controversial new running back?

On Tuesday Dallas owner Jerry Jones finalized a deal with RB Marion Barber worth $45 million over 7 years with $16 million in guarantees and bonuses.

Its worth $21 million over the over the first 3 years, meaning he's getting paid roughly the same as Edgerin James, Ladanian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson.

Is this the amount Oakland will have to shell out for 4th overall selection Darren McFadden ?

Theres no need or precedent to pay him Matt Ryan money, because McFadden's not a QB and he's not a Falcon. Ryan received a $72 million dollar, 6 year contract Tuesday from an Atlanta team that has over spent on its QB's before.

In Dec. of 2005 they signed then QB Mike Vick to a $130 million dollar extension.

Thats alot of dog food.

Despite Ryan making $34.75 million in guaranteed money, McFadden's agents shouldn't be thinking "skies the limit" because number one overall draft pick, offensive tackle Jake Long made approximately $4.75 million less.

Though McFadden came off the board with the very next pick, his position at RB doesn't merit a contract worth more than the extensions signed by the Leagues finest, but may very well fall within their range.

Al Davis set the table nicely for teams dealing with high draft picks by allowing Jamarcus Russell's agents, Ethan Locke, Eric Metz, and Vince Malanovic of LMM sports management to simmer 48 days and eventually sign for basically the original offer, (around $68 million over 6 years with $31 guaranteed) but Atlanta apparently wasn't paying attention, paying their 3rd overall selection nearly $4 million more.

Whether this contract has an upward affect on future rookie QB contracts won't be known until it happens, but from where I'm standing, price wise, it shouldn't, but if it does, look for teams to think twice about pulling the trigger for a QB with the 1st, 2nd or 3rd overall draft pick.

The League is expanding rapidly and with it, the size of contracts players are landing, but its my opinion history may bear out the simple fact if Ryan doesn't have a Very Brady career, the Atalanta Falcons probably paid too much.

Despite off season deals to Tommy Kelly and Javon Walker that drew gasps, many Raider fans don't expect to see the untested Arkansas speedster walk away with a record breaking positional contract and would be equally as shocked to see another hold out.

Despite the turmoil and publicity (and maybe partly because of it) of last years unpleasantness with number one over all selection Russell, the Raiders have never had a high draft pick late to sign before.

Al Davis has an excellent track record for getting these type of deals done and many hope last year was nothing more than an aberration caused by a number of factors, (including the fact LMM had never managed a number one overall draft pick before) that don't appear to be present this year and with this player.

Mcfadden has had a litany of well publicized off field issues and concerns like his brothers rival gang memberships, his paternity suits, fights and his Mother's unfortunate addiction to drugs, but the Raiders believe he is focused and responsible enough to become a fine and upstanding contributor to their organization.

Unless something untoward happens, these prior indiscretions should not affect his signing in the least.

Expect the 6-2, 205 lb. McFadden to be under contract, on the field and sporting Silver and Black come the opening of mandatory, full team Raider mini camp the first week of June.

How much richer?

Thats to be determined.