Tuesday Notes: Lions' Rookie Salary Pool Worth $6.035 Million

by Sean Yuille on May 11, 2010 12:04 PM EDT in Detroit Lions Notes

Ndamukong Suh said in a Q&A with the Idaho Statesman that he recently talked to Warren Sapp and is "looking forward to working with him a little bit." Suh also said this in response to a question about if he has plans for any big purchases after he signs his contract:

Not really. Something I know I'll eventually get is a Range Rover. But I'm not a guy who needs to be flashy. ... The biggest thing that would make me happy is a ticket to the Super Bowl, but I don't want to purchase it (laughs).

Suh definitely has the right attitude.

(HT: Highlight Reel)
The Lions' rookie salary pool this year, according to ESPN, gives them $6.035 million to spend on draft picks and undrafted free agents. What exactly is the point of the rookie salary pool? I will let the NFL Labor blog explain:

Yes, the same rookie salary pool system that has been in place for many years will be used in 2010. Each NFL club has a different rookie salary pool based upon the number of draft picks the team has and the position of those picks. Teams with more picks and higher picks have larger salary pools than teams with fewer and/or lower picks in the draft.

As in past years, the rookie salary pool counts ONLY the base salary, pro-rated signing bonus and "likely-to-be earned" incentives (such as roster bonuses) earned in a player’s rookie season. The rookie salary pool does NOT take into account option bonuses exercised in future years, base salary guaranteed in future years, the remaining pro-rated amount of the rookie-year signing bonus, or "not-likely-to-be-earned" incentives (such as playtime that is coupled with team improvement in various statistical categories) earned under the rookie contract.

The Lions' rookie pool last year gave them around $8 million to spend on their picks and UDFAs.
As you all probably know by now, Texans linebacker Brian Cushing has been suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season after testing positive for a banned substance back in September of last year. Steroid allegations are nothing new to Cushing, so it's no surprise that this positive test has given people a lot to talk about. One of the discussions revolves around Cushing's Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, which is now up for a re-vote, meaning he may lose the honor. The Associated Press is responsible for the award's voting, and although they aren't taking Cushing off the ballot, for me it'd be tough to vote for someone who tested positive for a banned substance during the season. Yes, it was early in the season, but I highly doubt this was some new, one-time thing.
Corey Williams and Kyle Vanden Bosch work out together every morning.
Both Drew Stanton and Derrick Williams will be hosting charity-related events in June.
The Vikings apparently may have interest in free agent guard Chester Pitts, who visited the Lions earlier in the offseason.
Pacman Jones is officially a Bengal.
Teddy Lehman has signed with the Jaguars.

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Comments

PoD pool

when will teddy lehman be released by JAX?

i’m going to say August 15th, 2010

by redwingxviii on May 11, 2010 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

Lehman always intrigued me.

He had a good rookie season but fell apart due to numerous injuries thereafter. I hope he comes around.

by Barry the Great on May 11, 2010 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

I love it when I read that players are working out together....and stuff like that.

Especially, when it is two new comers, that could be playing side by side on the line. It is good to know that these guys aren’t just “going through the motions” of coming to a new team. But they honestly want to make a huge impact on this team. When Suh, and the rest of the rookies join them on May 17th. It will go that much further if these Vets can show them a trick or two about playing the defensive line position. I just wish that Sammie or Cliff would get invovled in some of these workouts.

if the shoe fits...get another one just like it - George Carlin

by JCruize on May 11, 2010 12:46 PM EDT reply actions

completely agree

it’s these little things that can change the attitude of a franchise

The beer's on me!

by Srizzle on May 11, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

+1000

"Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind." - Pride Leader, Sean Yuille, wielder of the Ban Hammer.
2010 Wests Tigers : Current record - 4-2 : Current Position - 7th : Last game - Defeated by Canterbury Bulldogs 24 - 4

by Hyperion Ecta on May 11, 2010 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions

1

by SmittyJ on May 12, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

if your borde read this

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/385313-nfl-offseason-power-rankings-summer-blockbuster-edition#page/2

by det32 on May 11, 2010 1:02 PM EDT reply actions

thanks

I have a 9" personality

by Waitingfortheroar on May 11, 2010 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Love those rankings det32 our Lions will not get a top 10 draft pick next year LOL

I am not surprised where they are ranked, KVB and Williams are greatly responsible for the improved rankings and our #1 picks also. C’mon season the Lions can beat the Bears and if the Williams wall is suspended we could start the season off with good momentum and a couple of division wins. This is my most anticipated season in a long time.

by Wayne Fontes on May 11, 2010 2:43 PM EDT reply actions

Thats me

positive about this shit until proven wrong, i know it may not be a grammy but wishful thinking never killed anybody right.

by SmittyJ on May 12, 2010 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Is the rookie salary pool part of the overall salary cap?

I know we’re in an uncapped year now, but in most years, what exactly is the purpose of the rookie salary pool? Is it in addition to the regular salary cap, or is part of the salary cap, so teams are only allowed to pay rookies a certain portion of the overall cap?

Hey that's a timeout, I can play right? yeah, get me--get the F-- Help me up...I can throw the ball if you need me to throw the ball...

by n4ry4 on May 11, 2010 3:39 PM EDT reply actions

by CLF on May 11, 2010 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

there were the

same rumors about mathews though

I have a 9" personality

by Waitingfortheroar on May 11, 2010 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions

If I remember right...

it was because he played with Cushing and Maluaga that the accusations stemmed from.

by CLF on May 12, 2010 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions

when they came

out of college all 3 of them had fingers pointed at them. when you walk around looking like youre in a Bat Suit and put on 20 pouns of muscle every off season people start looking at you for steroids

I have a 9" personality

by Waitingfortheroar on May 12, 2010 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions