Riches lead to rookie tests - The Orange Mane

dragondawg · 05-20-2007, 03:11 AM

Riches lead to rookie tests
Newest players learn NFL ropes
By Mike Klis
Denver Post Staff Writer

Soon, there will be another set of shiny new vehicles driving into the fenced parking lot at Dove Valley and all will be normal in the world of young men and new money.

For whether he's a Broncos rookie about to come into big money, or a college graduate breaking in on the bottom rung of the corporate ladder, it has long been a young man's rite to spend that first paycheck on a new set of wheels.

They can hire the best advisers, listen to the hottest stock tips and shop for the best interest rates. Even the most well-intentioned financial planning, though, doesn't begin until after that first car is purchased.

"I don't have anything on order yet because I'm not a big fan of debt," Broncos rookie left tackle Ryan Harris said. "But I do have a car I'm looking to get, and it's going to be big for me to own my own car. I like the new black Chevy Tahoe with bucket seats in the back, not the bench."

If Harris considers his investments as carefully as his vehicle, he might one day be in position to spot Pat Bowlen a load of cash. Among the Broncos' four drafted rookies, Harris has shown the most restraint. Using a line of credit that is easy for all high-round draft picks to secure, first-round defensive end Jarvis Moss and second-rounder Tim Crowder have purchased their 2007 Cadillac Escalades. They will drive them, too, as they're customized.

Marcus Thomas, the Broncos' fourth-round defensive tackle, just bought an $87,000 BMW 750 for his mother, although he's driving it until he gets his first check. A dealer from his hometown in Jacksonville, Fla., hooked him up.

"She's the No. 1 priority with him because of all the hell he put her through," Richard Burnoski, Thomas' agent, said while laughing.

When he gets paid, which isn't until the regular season begins, Thomas plans to get an Escalade for himself. At that point, a local Cadillac dealer should shoot a commercial at Dove Valley with the slogan: The 2007 Escalade, the official SUV of the Broncos' 2007 draft class.

Other than the necessary luxury that is a shiny new vehicle, Denver's four drafted rookies have smartly begun to plan their financial future.

"I've got a financial adviser and I'm all about investing," Crowder said. "I'm getting caught up on stocks, bonds, mutual funds."

Burnoski is going to have Thomas pour every cent possible into an NFL annuity in which he says the league matches $2 for every $1 the player puts in.

"What other company in the world will match your annuity 2-to-1?" Burnoski said.

Harris, a St. Paul native, has been mentored by Minnesota Vikings center Matt Birk and has interned with a financial company that will handle his money.

"I know enough to know I don't know anything," Harris said. "I'm preparing for the worst. In football you never know what might happen. There have been players here who have had careers end early because of injury. I think it's safe to save as much as you can. I don't have a family, I don't have a wife, so that means I can save my money for those days."

The problem with financial planning is the endless list of unplanned expenses.

"I think the best advice anyone can give them is to learn how to say no," Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall said. "That was a big problem for me."

Yes, the $420,000 bonus Marshall received last year as a fourth-round pick is big money to all those Uncle Joes. But at 23, if Marshall gives handouts to every Uncle Joe, Aunt Mary and their brothers and sisters, he might be broke at 30.

The best thing Marshall did was buy a home here and another in Atlanta. Harris has family living in Highlands Ranch and might live there for a while. Crowder is going to rent a home for a year, get a better feel for the area, then buy.

Thomas plans to live with Moss, his college teammate.

Financially, Moss is in the stratosphere compared with the other Broncos rookies. The guaranteed money for Crowder, Harris and Thomas will come in at roughly $2.75 million combined.

Moss, as the No. 17 overall selection, can expect nearly $6.5 million in guarantees.

That kind of loot screams for tax shelters, which is why Moss spent part of this past week checking out homes.

"I definitely have wise people in my life who are going to help me with that," Moss said.

In late June, the four Broncos rookies will be attending the NFL rookie symposium, a mandatory, four-day event in San Diego.

"I've been to it and it's a great education for the players," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "They talk about finances, renting an apartment, insurance, stocks. If you have questions about finding babysitters or investing in a company, they've got phone numbers to call. Players, they have a lot of support."

It's funny, though. Players never seem to need help when it comes to buying a new car.

Newfound riches
By the start of training camp in late July, the Broncos' four drafted rookies will be coming into money for the first time in their lives. Big money. What each rookie can expect, based on contracts received by similar NFL draft picks last year:
Contract in
Pk. Player P Yrs. millions* Guarantee*
17 Jarvis Moss DE 5 $11 $6.5M
56 Tim Crowder DE 4 $3 $1.5M
70 Ryan Harris OT 4 $2.5 $810,000 121 M. Thomas DT 4 $2.1 $420,000

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_5938650

RkyMtnThunder · 05-20-2007, 03:26 AM

Burnoski is going to have Thomas pour every cent possible into an NFL annuity in which he says the league matches $2 for every $1 the player puts in.

"What other company in the world will match your annuity 2-to-1?" Burnoski said.

Sweet Jesus!!!!

As if their salaries wasnt enough?!?

Damn nice perk there. Never knew about that

SoCalBronco · 05-20-2007, 03:32 AM

That annuity program is just sick.

I can't believe some of these doofuses in the league piss away the gold mine that is an oppurtunity to play in the NFL.

watermock · 05-20-2007, 03:48 AM

Interesting article, and while I like the idea of buying mom a car, does he need to be "hooked up" and does Mom really need a 100k car after taxes and registration?

This has red flags all over it. It shows the patience of a 4 year old needing ritalin.

Sure, Cutler splugred on a Lexus, but it's a fine car and he was a high round pick, not a 4th. He also bought a house for his parents so he could be close to them. I wouldn't buy a BMW over a Lexus ever.

What really concerns me is getting "hooked up" by a dealership. Who's tags are on it? It's not legal to run dealer tags and a paper tag requires insurance and a sales contract.

And why does his mom need a 100K car anyway? Even Cutler's SUV lexus wasn't that much and he wasn't a 4th rounder. Also, he never got "hooked up" by a dealership either. Considering the fact that Marcus has made poor decisions in the past doesn't bode well with this IMO.

I got my mom along with my newphew Matthew a 2000 Bonneville that has everyting. Leather, roof, traction control, ABS and a stout engine and was in pristine condition. 6500. Not a steal, but completely clean and dealer clean. People think it's new.

At any rate, I think Marcus should of laid off induging quite so much with nothing on the table at this point especially considering his past.

watermock · 05-20-2007, 03:52 AM

As much as that is a free lunch...Gene Upshaw commented about older players getting tiny pensions...

"That's not my problem, I deal with active players..."

An extra thousand per month for the old timers would be a drop in the bucket and he doesn't give a ****?

BroncoBuff · 05-20-2007, 03:53 AM

They should treat some of the older veterans half as well.

watermock · 05-20-2007, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncoBuff

They should treat some of the older veterans half as well.

That's an understatement. Many of these guys are literal cripples that were before the age of arthroscopic surgury and rehab.

Two good examples would be Gayle Sayes and Tony Oliva of the Twins. Theare aren't alone. Most here probably don't even know who Oliva was. I saw him hit a rocket against the wall...a rocket. Now they can do so much more for athletes.

All I'm saying is throw the old dogs a bone. Just a couple million would give then another 1000 per month. 1000 guys times 1000 dollars is what? Peanuts.1 million.

BroncoBuff · 05-20-2007, 05:09 AM

I remember Oliva ... maybe 1971? That team had Carew, Killebrew, Oliva, who else?

RkyMtnThunder · 05-20-2007, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watermock

As much as that is a free lunch...Gene Upshaw commented about older players getting tiny pensions...

"That's not my problem, I deal with active players..."

An extra thousand per month for the old timers would be a drop in the bucket and he doesn't give a ****?

Agreed! WTF?

watermock · 05-20-2007, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncoBuff

I remember Oliva ... maybe 1971? That team had Carew, Killebrew, Oliva, who else?

I wish I could remember...I had a Killebrew thermos I gave my kid and he just looked at it as he did when I gave him a football with all the purple people eaters autographs. Oh well, I couldn't yank them out of his hands I guess.

They also had Jim Kaat, Gaylord Perry and Bert Blyleven.

elsid13 · 05-20-2007, 05:39 AM

Any one worried that Moss and Thomas are living together

RkyMtnThunder · 05-20-2007, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elsid13

Any one worried that Moss and Thomas are living together

Only worried that the local head shop might run out of water pipes!

All jokes aside, they were teammates in college and are kids on the Broncos not knowing anyone else yet. Makes sense to me.

watermock · 05-20-2007, 05:42 AM

Asking for an extra thousand per month for the old dimers is peanuts.

Clemens will be making a million per start and doesn't even have to be with the team 3/4 of the time. If he goes 6 that close to 200k per inning.

I'll tell you what really freaks me out. I remember when Canseco got 3 million for 3 years and I was incredulous.
Do people understand that WE are paying these salaries? Every time you get a 6 pack of bud, a dollar goes to whoever...why are NIKE AIr Jordans 150? buy a vowel.

Now the NFL has taken it to a new rape level that few understand with the NFL network. It's incredibly anti trust but whatever. Why don't they just make all games pay per view and get it over with?

watermock · 05-20-2007, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elsid13

Any one worried that Moss and Thomas are living together

I said that after the draft.

RkyMtnThunder · 05-20-2007, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watermock

Asking for an extra thousand per month for the old dimers is peanuts.

Clemens will be making a million per start and doesn't even have to be with the team 3/4 of the time. If he goes 6 that close to 200k per inning.

I'll tell you what really freaks me out. I remember when Canseco got 3 million for 3 years and I was incredulous.
Do people understand that WE are paying these salaries? Every time you get a 6 pack of bud, a dollar goes to whoever...why are NIKE AIr Jordans 150? buy a vowel.

Now the NFL has taken it to a new rape level that few understand with the NFL network. It's incredibly anti trust but whatever. Why don't they just make all games pay per view and get it over with?

F that!!!

Inkana7 · 05-20-2007, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elsid13

Any one worried that Moss and Thomas are living together

Worried? I like the idea. They're friends, they'll hopefully stay out of trouble if they're living together.

telluride · 05-20-2007, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elsid13

Any one worried that Moss and Thomas are living together

Yes, that's extremely worrisome.

Atlas · 05-20-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telluride

Yes, that's extremely worrisome.

Do what they want. DON'T GET CAUGHT!

azbroncfan · 05-20-2007, 02:08 PM

NO more swag weed for the Florida boys.

WABronco · 05-20-2007, 02:25 PM

If the team saw it as a problem, they wouldn't be living together. Think the Broncos are dumb enough to put two of their most prized possesions in a bad situation? Me thinks not.

orange crusher · 05-20-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragondawg

Burnoski is going to have Thomas pour every cent possible into an NFL annuity in which he says the league matches $2 for every $1 the player puts in.

"What other company in the world will match your annuity 2-to-1?" Burnoski said.

Mine. It isn't an annuity, but my company matches $2 for every $1 I put in up to 3% and then $0.50 for every $1 from 3-5%.

telluride · 05-20-2007, 03:27 PM

Thomas and Moss should be living in a house with a bunch of Quakers or Mennonites. Or with Bates and Tuten.

But they shouldn't be living together. That's a recipe for disaster. They both need to grow up and display adult qualities. They don't need to prolong their frat-boy-esque college experience.

bap454 · 05-20-2007, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elsid13

Any one worried that Moss and Thomas are living together

Wow, I was concerned that they both would be on the same team...let alone the same house! Prepare yourself for a big let down. New town, new house, big chunk of money with less supervision...forget about it.

05-20-2007, 03:11 AM	#1
dragondawg All Pro Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,009	Riches lead to rookie tests Riches lead to rookie tests Newest players learn NFL ropes By Mike Klis Denver Post Staff Writer Soon, there will be another set of shiny new vehicles driving into the fenced parking lot at Dove Valley and all will be normal in the world of young men and new money. For whether he's a Broncos rookie about to come into big money, or a college graduate breaking in on the bottom rung of the corporate ladder, it has long been a young man's rite to spend that first paycheck on a new set of wheels. They can hire the best advisers, listen to the hottest stock tips and shop for the best interest rates. Even the most well-intentioned financial planning, though, doesn't begin until after that first car is purchased. "I don't have anything on order yet because I'm not a big fan of debt," Broncos rookie left tackle Ryan Harris said. "But I do have a car I'm looking to get, and it's going to be big for me to own my own car. I like the new black Chevy Tahoe with bucket seats in the back, not the bench." If Harris considers his investments as carefully as his vehicle, he might one day be in position to spot Pat Bowlen a load of cash. Among the Broncos' four drafted rookies, Harris has shown the most restraint. Using a line of credit that is easy for all high-round draft picks to secure, first-round defensive end Jarvis Moss and second-rounder Tim Crowder have purchased their 2007 Cadillac Escalades. They will drive them, too, as they're customized. Marcus Thomas, the Broncos' fourth-round defensive tackle, just bought an $87,000 BMW 750 for his mother, although he's driving it until he gets his first check. A dealer from his hometown in Jacksonville, Fla., hooked him up. "She's the No. 1 priority with him because of all the hell he put her through," Richard Burnoski, Thomas' agent, said while laughing. When he gets paid, which isn't until the regular season begins, Thomas plans to get an Escalade for himself. At that point, a local Cadillac dealer should shoot a commercial at Dove Valley with the slogan: The 2007 Escalade, the official SUV of the Broncos' 2007 draft class. Other than the necessary luxury that is a shiny new vehicle, Denver's four drafted rookies have smartly begun to plan their financial future. "I've got a financial adviser and I'm all about investing," Crowder said. "I'm getting caught up on stocks, bonds, mutual funds." Burnoski is going to have Thomas pour every cent possible into an NFL annuity in which he says the league matches $2 for every $1 the player puts in. "What other company in the world will match your annuity 2-to-1?" Burnoski said. Harris, a St. Paul native, has been mentored by Minnesota Vikings center Matt Birk and has interned with a financial company that will handle his money. "I know enough to know I don't know anything," Harris said. "I'm preparing for the worst. In football you never know what might happen. There have been players here who have had careers end early because of injury. I think it's safe to save as much as you can. I don't have a family, I don't have a wife, so that means I can save my money for those days." The problem with financial planning is the endless list of unplanned expenses. "I think the best advice anyone can give them is to learn how to say no," Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall said. "That was a big problem for me." Yes, the $420,000 bonus Marshall received last year as a fourth-round pick is big money to all those Uncle Joes. But at 23, if Marshall gives handouts to every Uncle Joe, Aunt Mary and their brothers and sisters, he might be broke at 30. The best thing Marshall did was buy a home here and another in Atlanta. Harris has family living in Highlands Ranch and might live there for a while. Crowder is going to rent a home for a year, get a better feel for the area, then buy. Thomas plans to live with Moss, his college teammate. Financially, Moss is in the stratosphere compared with the other Broncos rookies. The guaranteed money for Crowder, Harris and Thomas will come in at roughly $2.75 million combined. Moss, as the No. 17 overall selection, can expect nearly $6.5 million in guarantees. That kind of loot screams for tax shelters, which is why Moss spent part of this past week checking out homes. "I definitely have wise people in my life who are going to help me with that," Moss said. In late June, the four Broncos rookies will be attending the NFL rookie symposium, a mandatory, four-day event in San Diego. "I've been to it and it's a great education for the players," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "They talk about finances, renting an apartment, insurance, stocks. If you have questions about finding babysitters or investing in a company, they've got phone numbers to call. Players, they have a lot of support." It's funny, though. Players never seem to need help when it comes to buying a new car. Newfound riches By the start of training camp in late July, the Broncos' four drafted rookies will be coming into money for the first time in their lives. Big money. What each rookie can expect, based on contracts received by similar NFL draft picks last year: Contract in Pk. Player P Yrs. millions* Guarantee* 17 Jarvis Moss DE 5 $11 $6.5M 56 Tim Crowder DE 4 $3 $1.5M 70 Ryan Harris OT 4 $2.5 $810,000 121 M. Thomas DT 4 $2.1 $420,000 http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_5938650 Last edited by dragondawg; 05-20-2007 at 03:15 AM..

05-20-2007, 03:32 AM	#3
SoCalBronco Nixonite Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 33,311 Adopt-a-Bronco: D.J. Williams	That annuity program is just sick. I can't believe some of these doofuses in the league piss away the gold mine that is an oppurtunity to play in the NFL. __________________ ITS A PLAYOFF HOCKEY NIGHT IN PITTSBURGH!

05-20-2007, 03:27 PM	#22
telluride Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,557 Adopt-a-Bronco: --Rulon!--	Thomas and Moss should be living in a house with a bunch of Quakers or Mennonites. Or with Bates and Tuten. But they shouldn't be living together. That's a recipe for disaster. They both need to grow up and display adult qualities. They don't need to prolong their frat-boy-esque college experience. Last edited by telluride; 05-20-2007 at 03:46 PM..

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05-20-2007, 03:26 AM	#2
RkyMtnThunder Perennial Pro-bowler New to the Forum Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 899 Adopt-a-Bronco: None	Burnoski is going to have Thomas pour every cent possible into an NFL annuity in which he says the league matches $2 for every $1 the player puts in. "What other company in the world will match your annuity 2-to-1?" Burnoski said. Sweet Jesus!!!! As if their salaries wasnt enough?!? Damn nice perk there. Never knew about that

05-20-2007, 03:48 AM	#4
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	Interesting article, and while I like the idea of buying mom a car, does he need to be "hooked up" and does Mom really need a 100k car after taxes and registration? This has red flags all over it. It shows the patience of a 4 year old needing ritalin. Sure, Cutler splugred on a Lexus, but it's a fine car and he was a high round pick, not a 4th. He also bought a house for his parents so he could be close to them. I wouldn't buy a BMW over a Lexus ever. What really concerns me is getting "hooked up" by a dealership. Who's tags are on it? It's not legal to run dealer tags and a paper tag requires insurance and a sales contract. And why does his mom need a 100K car anyway? Even Cutler's SUV lexus wasn't that much and he wasn't a 4th rounder. Also, he never got "hooked up" by a dealership either. Considering the fact that Marcus has made poor decisions in the past doesn't bode well with this IMO. I got my mom along with my newphew Matthew a 2000 Bonneville that has everyting. Leather, roof, traction control, ABS and a stout engine and was in pristine condition. 6500. Not a steal, but completely clean and dealer clean. People think it's new. At any rate, I think Marcus should of laid off induging quite so much with nothing on the table at this point especially considering his past.

05-20-2007, 03:52 AM	#5
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	As much as that is a free lunch...Gene Upshaw commented about older players getting tiny pensions... "That's not my problem, I deal with active players..." An extra thousand per month for the old timers would be a drop in the bucket and he doesn't give a ****?

05-20-2007, 03:53 AM	#6
BroncoBuff *************** Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 25,435 Adopt-a-Bronco: QUANTERUS SMITH	They should treat some of the older veterans half as well.

05-20-2007, 05:09 AM	#8
BroncoBuff *************** Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 25,435 Adopt-a-Bronco: QUANTERUS SMITH	I remember Oliva ... maybe 1971? That team had Carew, Killebrew, Oliva, who else?

05-20-2007, 05:39 AM	#11
elsid13 Lost In Space Bóg, Honor, Ojczyzna Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: DC Posts: 19,087	Any one worried that Moss and Thomas are living together

05-20-2007, 05:42 AM	#13
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	Asking for an extra thousand per month for the old dimers is peanuts. Clemens will be making a million per start and doesn't even have to be with the team 3/4 of the time. If he goes 6 that close to 200k per inning. I'll tell you what really freaks me out. I remember when Canseco got 3 million for 3 years and I was incredulous. Do people understand that WE are paying these salaries? Every time you get a 6 pack of bud, a dollar goes to whoever...why are NIKE AIr Jordans 150? buy a vowel. Now the NFL has taken it to a new rape level that few understand with the NFL network. It's incredibly anti trust but whatever. Why don't they just make all games pay per view and get it over with?

05-20-2007, 02:08 PM	#19
azbroncfan Ring of Famer Angry guntoting,meateating AMERICAN Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Scottsdale Posts: 8,669 Adopt-a-Bronco: TEBOW	NO more swag weed for the Florida boys.

05-20-2007, 02:25 PM	#20
WABronco WE SUCK AGAIN All dat force Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Denver Posts: 4,976	If the team saw it as a problem, they wouldn't be living together. Think the Broncos are dumb enough to put two of their most prized possesions in a bad situation? Me thinks not.