It’s anything but a silent auction.
The St. Louis Rams are trying to create an early bidding war for quarterback Robert Griffin III. He’s the savior of a franchise, so three, maybe four first-round picks would be a bargain for him, the Rams say. Who will be first to bid for the rights to second pick in the NFL Draft?
Talk about a sucker’s game.
Nobody should bid for Griffin before free agency begins March 13 because the price could go down if several teams solve their quarterback problem. If Miami gets Peyton Manning and Cleveland signs Matt Flynn, Washington is suddenly the front-runner to make the trade with St. Louis — at a reduced rate.
Not that a mystery team or two aren’t lurking to challenge Washington for Griffin’s rights. There always are clandestine operatives trying to drive up the deal — sort of like that person who’s coming in to buy the car you want unless you sign the papers now.
There is no hurry to trade for Griffin, and no moves likely will be made until the final hours before the NFL Draft on April 26. Even then, St. Louis must give the other team a window to negotiate with Griffin to ensure he can be signed before the trade is completed.
Trading for Griffin now is an unnecessary risk. Only a fool with extra cash buys something so far ahead. It’s not like coaches can work with the rookie before the draft.
Meanwhile, there’s still Griffin’s pro day March 21. Whoever didn’t get Manning and Flynn certainly will attend. Griffin’s spectacular performance at the combine makes his pro day anticlimactic, but team execs still need to see those throws up close one more time. Griffin probably would have to toss everything in the dirt to change anyone’s mind, and that’s not happening.
Three days later, the NFL owners meetings surely will bring an insane number of rumors, all started by the Rams and Griffin’s people to escalate the price. Real smoke and mirrors stuff. Happens all the time.
You also will hear how the Redskins like Ryan Tannehill or Brandon Weeden. It’s also a smokescreen.
If the Rams think they can play mind games with Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, they will find themselves a couple aces short. Shanahan lives for skullduggery. He could train CIA spies. If he fails to acquire Manning, Shanahan will go after Griffin to a reasonable point before he resorts to a second-round passer.
St. Louis may try to create an early market, but NFL execs know the real compensation is probably the same the New York Giants gave San Diego for Eli Manning in 2004 — two firsts, a third- and a fifth-rounder. Maybe someone moves the third to a second, but any thought of four first-rounders is absurd.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
