ESPN: Niners make No. 6 pick Davis highest-paid TE

[WoodysGirl]

An all-night negotiating session between the San Francisco 49ers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=sfo) and the agent for first-round choice Vernon Davis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7755) was rewarded with Davis making his first practice and the former Maryland star becoming the highest-paid tight end in the league.


Davis signed a five-year deal Friday morning worth in excess of $23 million and possibility close to around $25 million. His deal tops those of Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5900), Tony Gonzalez (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3950), Raven Todd Heap (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5478), Jason Witten (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6405) and Alge Crumpler (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5482). They make between $4.14 million and $4.5 million a year.


Davis is the sixth pick in the first round and a rare talent. He can run the 40 in the 4.3 second range even though he weighs more than 250 pounds. His presence is expected to help the development of quarterback Alex Smith (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7177), who is entering his second year.


Davis' agents, Eric Metz and Ethan Locke, have been negotiating around the clock for more than two days on two coasts. They completed a five-year, $9 million deal late Thursday night for Patriots first-round Laurence Maroney (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7770).

They negotiated until 5 a.m. on Davis' deal until Friday morning.


After a brief break to review the language, both sides worked hard to make sure Davis made the team's morning practice. The 49ers reported to camp Friday morning and began their practice sessions.

All of the 49ers draft choices are now signed.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2532619

[ABQCOWBOY]

An all-night negotiating session between the San Francisco 49ers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=sfo) and the agent for first-round choice Vernon Davis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7755) was rewarded with Davis making his first practice and the former Maryland star becoming the highest-paid tight end in the league.


Davis signed a five-year deal Friday morning worth in excess of $23 million and possibility close to around $25 million. His deal tops those of Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5900), Tony Gonzalez (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3950), Raven Todd Heap (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5478), Jason Witten (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6405) and Alge Crumpler (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5482). They make between $4.14 million and $4.5 million a year.


Davis is the sixth pick in the first round and a rare talent. He can run the 40 in the 4.3 second range even though he weighs more than 250 pounds. His presence is expected to help the development of quarterback Alex Smith (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7177), who is entering his second year.


Davis' agents, Eric Metz and Ethan Locke, have been negotiating around the clock for more than two days on two coasts. They completed a five-year, $9 million deal late Thursday night for Patriots first-round Laurence Maroney (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7770).

They negotiated until 5 a.m. on Davis' deal until Friday morning.


After a brief break to review the language, both sides worked hard to make sure Davis made the team's morning practice. The 49ers reported to camp Friday morning and began their practice sessions.

All of the 49ers draft choices are now signed.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2532619

Guy hasn't done one thing in the NFL yet.

Sad.

[Catch-22]

For the 49er's sake, I hope he's not the next Ricky Dudley

[Wimbo]

Wow. Goes to show you what a good Combine score can buy.

[percyhoward]

Glad they got Witten's deal done before this.

[CoCo]

Guy hasn't done one thing in the NFL yet.

Sad.

It is sad. And yet, from another perspective those $ are indicative of the level of expectation associated with picks that high. Teams drool over the prospects of landing young players with superstar potential. That's why trades into those top spots are so costly, and the contracts follow.

Its a big financial roll of the dice with serious cap implications when they don't pan out and yet teams are ga-ga to get the opportunity to pick that high.

From a player perspective, I guess they have earned those $$ by virtue of their college resume. It may or may not transfer to the pros but everyone knows thats how it works and I'm not sure there is anything wrong with the system frankly.

For late round picks or FA's who end up being equally productive pros they have to wait til their 2nd contract for the payoff. They'll never catch-up in total pro earnings but then everyone knows that up front.

Its just the way it is. Probably no more right or more wrong than many other systems that could be devised.

For vet players that want to grouse over the $$ thrown at untested rookies they could have gotten those $$ too if they'd had a bang-up college career.

[CoCo]

Wow. Goes to show you what a good Combine score can buy.

Yeah! I must admit that while I have never seen the guy play (I don't watch college football) I would be seriously drooling over an athletic TE with hands and 4.3 speed!!!

[TheHustler]

Man, i'm glad we got Witten signed before this kid got his contract.

Measurables be damned, Witten is a pro bowler and this kid hasn't even played a down in the NFL.

[MONT17]

I wanted the Boys to trade up and to draft Vernon Davis... but I'll take Fasano!

[Big Country]

Guy hasn't done one thing in the NFL yet.

Sad.

he's probably a soulja:laugh1:

[Funxva]

Hmm, I have him on my fantasy team. I hope he performs as his contract would indicate.

[jasonwitten82]

Give me Jason Witten any day

[CowboyWay]

I think the NFL rookie pay scale needs to change. THese guys are getting way too much money for unproven talent. When Reggie Bush signs his deal, chances are he will be the highest paid RB in the history of the game. Vernon Davis is already the highest paid TE in the game.

This is a bad system (unless your Reggie or Vernon). I'd rather see the proven players get the money.

[Doomsday101]

I think the NFL rookie pay scale needs to change. THese guys are getting way too much money for unproven talent. When Reggie Bush signs his deal, chances are he will be the highest paid RB in the history of the game. Vernon Davis is already the highest paid TE in the game.

This is a bad system (unless your Reggie or Vernon). I'd rather see the proven players get the money.

I agree, they should prove themselves at this level before they get the money. Once you enter the NFL it does not matter what you did in college

[JMead]

Stupid. I feel sorry for any team who spends that much money on a rookie. There needs to be a cap placed on how much rookies can get. It silly paying them that much when they havent proven didly.

[Bob Sacamano]

somewhere Dan Snyder is grinning

[proline]

Just noticed this is a repost. Sorry! Please ignore the giant popping sound as I pull my head out of my a$$.


The Cowboys should have made sure that Witten's contract wouldn't be beat by an incoming, unproven rookies contract. :mad:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2532619

[Bob Sacamano]

Just noticed this is a repost. Sorry! Please ignore the giant popping sound as I pull my head out of my a$$.


The Cowboys should have made sure that Witten's contract wouldn't be beat by an incoming, unproven rookies contract. :mad:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2532619

don't worry man, it happens all the time

and I'm actually happy that we got Witten for a bargain and right now, the 9ers are overpaying for a rookie, and I don't think Witten is feeling any remorse right now, he in fact agreed to the deal

[ThreeSportStar80]

This guys will have a big time impact on the NFL, he's scary and tough! He leaves it all on the field, not to mention the speed and size ratio...pretty impressive.

[Kittymama]

For the 49er's sake, I hope he's not the next Ricky Dudley
Or that he doesn't own a motorcycle!!

[21JJ21]

Man, i'm glad we got Witten signed before this kid got his contract.

Measurables be damned, Witten is a pro bowler and this kid hasn't even played a down in the NFL.

same thing for all the top 5 rookie!
mario williams, vince young, etc!!

its always the same thing...dont see this only because of WITTEN'S contract lol