FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[BoBo]

* I've already been on chicagobears.com more in the last 3 days than I have in my entire life!!    WTG Matt Blanchard...I guess that tape with your name on it just got removed from the front of your helmet and placed on the back of your #4 jersey!!

* still only a Packer fan though

Hope our WIAC boys up in Green Bay have similar good news real soon. Saw the press conference where McCarthy said they would be making decisions within 24 hours.

[bleedpurple]

I've not been on the board much for months, so my apologies if anyone already posted this, but it brought back good memories.

Lane Olson taking his danger overseas:

http://www.break.com/usercontent/2012/4/23/lane-olson-hug-ko-hit-beast-mode-2320501

[footballfan413]

Bears sign Blanchard! Congratulations Matt!!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-qb-blanchard-among-7-players-signed-by-bears-20120513,0,5396181.story

Fantastic News!!!

We are so thrilled for Matt and the Blanchards!!  I have said for years that the Bears either don't recognize talent or don't know how to develop it!  CLEARLY, I was dead wrong!  LOL  Of course, the exit of Jerry Angelo has definitely helped to change things around Halas Hall for the better, so far anyway, it seems!   

[bleedpurple]

According to the Courier, Matt's deal is for three years:

http://lakezurich.suntimes.com/sports/12517071-419/pro-football-lake-zurichs-blanchard-signs-with-chicago-bears.html

[voice]

Congratulations Matt.  The Tribune story talks about the way Matt was able to "grasp the system" and "execute" the system on the field. 

As far as Casey Casper and Kris Rosholt are concerned following the Packers' rookie camp over the weekend. According to today's Wisconsin State Jounal -  The Packers had four open roster spots heading into last weekend's rookie-orientation camp, and 29 rookies participated as tryout players. McCarthy said he expected in the next day or so to sign whatever tryout players the Packers want to bring to camp.

[BoBo]

According to the Courier, Matt's deal is for three years:

http://lakezurich.suntimes.com/sports/12517071-419/pro-football-lake-zurichs-blanchard-signs-with-chicago-bears.html

Looking around the NFL at other undrafted FA signings, 3 years looks to be the standard practice for entry contracts.  In these contracts, I don't believe any of it is guaranteed, but probably included a small signing bonus.

[bleedpurple]

According to the Courier, Matt's deal is for three years:

http://lakezurich.suntimes.com/sports/12517071-419/pro-football-lake-zurichs-blanchard-signs-with-chicago-bears.html

Looking around the NFL at other undrafted FA signings, 3 years looks to be the standard practice for entry contracts.  In these contracts, I don't believe any of it is guaranteed, but probably included a small signing bonus.

I was wondering if it would include a bonus. That would be great! What a great opportunity to be in a camp.  I never thought about this, but it seems like the benefit of signing AFTER a tryout is that it demonstrates the coaches took notice and liked what they saw.  There are probably a few undrafted guys each team signs before the camp and then after the camp, the coaches say, "We thought he would be better".  It seems like the guys they sign AFTER the camp probably got a "He's better than we thought" response. Now Matt has the opportunity that so many D3 guys would give anything for!

[badgerwarhawk]

I'm not certain but I think the length of NFL rookie contracts is set by agreement between the NFLPA and owners.  This is a great opportunity for Matt and I really hope he makes the team's roster or at least the practice squad.

But I still don't like the Bears

[footballfan413]

According to the Courier, Matt's deal is for three years:

http://lakezurich.suntimes.com/sports/12517071-419/pro-football-lake-zurichs-blanchard-signs-with-chicago-bears.html

Looking around the NFL at other undrafted FA signings, 3 years looks to be the standard practice for entry contracts.  In these contracts, I don't believe any of it is guaranteed, but probably included a small signing bonus.

Let me be clear, I have no inside info regarding Matt's situation!!!  If I did, I would not be posting but if my recollection is correct, he will not see any of it, as an undrafted free agent resulting from a tryout opportunity, unless he makes the final roster. They only have to pay him some kind of Per Diem based on the time spent in camp until the final cut.  Signing bonuses are reserved for draft picks or free agents, I believe.  The kicker here is that he missed the first steps, i.e, getting drafted, undrafted free agent after draft, and was only given an invite to a rookie camp like Beaver and my son were.  Derek was drafted, Pete Schmidt signed an undrafted free agent contract immediately after the draft, which is what we were hoping for at the time. Pete made it through several cuts only to be sent home in August, therefore, no contract money, I believe.  An invite is the lowest rung on the ladder and having it result in a signing for Matt speaks volumes about his performance this weekend!  If he keeps it up and can make it to the final roster, then he will see a pay day.  Bottom line is, it cost very little to an organization, to bring in these types of players and see what they can do because they don't have to pay them much at all if they cut them in the end.  I believe that a spot on the practice squad, as BW mentioned, results in a set, much smaller payment, as well and not the first year salary of the contract.      I will add a disclaimer to this in that, my knowledge of the system is from before last year's new collecting bargaining agreement so some changes to all this could have been made, I suppose.   

[02 Warhawk]

That is great news for Matt and his family. Very cool!!!

Da Bears!!!!!

[AndOne]

Hello all.

Here is some information regarding NFL salaries. I believe a new collective bargaining agreement that went into effect last year was at least a 2 year deal and thus also covers salary issues for the 2012 season.

Once a rookie free agent signs a contract, he usually receives a small bonus. These bonuses are mostly in the $3,000 to $5,000 range, but if a particular free agent is heavily sought after by a number of NFL teams, that bonus may go up as far as $20,000. Per the new CBA, only a maximum of about $75,000 per team may be paid to undrafted rookies as signing bonus or amounts treated as signing bonus. That figure will increase or decrease each year in line with the percentage change of the total Rookie Compensation Pool.

Signing bonuses, as the name implies, are paid out immediately after the contract is signed. After that, the UDFAs have to make do with "per diem expenses".

NFL CBA, Article 21, Section 3: "Each player shall receive at least the following amounts per day for any workouts or classroom instruction in which he participates pursuant to a Club's voluntary offseason workout program, provided the player fulfills the Club's reasonable offseason workout requirements: $155 (2011–12 League Years)."
All players also receive room and board during these activities.

If a rookie undrafted free agent survives regular training camp begins, Article 23 kicks in:

NFL CBA, Article 23:

Rookie Per Diem: "A first-year player will receive "per diem" payments, commencing with the first day of Preseason Training Camp and ending one week prior to the Club's first regular season game, at the following weekly rates for the respective League Years: $850 (2011–12 League Years)."

If an undrafted free agent makes the 53 man roster:

If they make the 53 man roster, the UDFAs get the rookie minimum of $390,000 or 1/17th of that as a check every week, as long as they keep their roster spot. Additionally, they may get a small ('small' relative to the base salary) signing bonus, but this will be lower than the bonuses received by the drafted players.

And if they do not make the 53 man final roster, but are added to the practice squad:

If they get signed to a spot on the 8-man practice squad, they are paid a minimum salary of $5,700 per week, or $96,900 over the full regular season if they keep their spot on the practice squad. If a team makes the playoffs, these payments continue for as long as the team is in the playoffs. To protect their players from other teams, or because they really like the potential of a given player, some teams pay their roster squad players significantly more.

Thats the basics. 

[footballfan413]

Hello all.

Here is some information regarding NFL salaries. I believe a new collective bargaining agreement that went into effect last year was at least a 2 year deal and thus also covers salary issues for the 2012 season.

Once a rookie free agent signs a contract, he usually receives a small bonus. These bonuses are mostly in the $3,000 to $5,000 range, but if a particular free agent is heavily sought after by a number of NFL teams, that bonus may go up as far as $20,000. Per the new CBA, only a maximum of about $75,000 per team may be paid to undrafted rookies as signing bonus or amounts treated as signing bonus. That figure will increase or decrease each year in line with the percentage change of the total Rookie Compensation Pool.

Signing bonuses, as the name implies, are paid out immediately after the contract is signed. After that, the UDFAs have to make do with "per diem expenses".

NFL CBA, Article 21, Section 3: "Each player shall receive at least the following amounts per day for any workouts or classroom instruction in which he participates pursuant to a Club's voluntary offseason workout program, provided the player fulfills the Club's reasonable offseason workout requirements: $155 (2011–12 League Years)."
All players also receive room and board during these activities.

If a rookie undrafted free agent survives regular training camp begins, Article 23 kicks in:

NFL CBA, Article 23:

Rookie Per Diem: "A first-year player will receive "per diem" payments, commencing with the first day of Preseason Training Camp and ending one week prior to the Club's first regular season game, at the following weekly rates for the respective League Years: $850 (2011–12 League Years)."

If an undrafted free agent makes the 53 man roster:

If they make the 53 man roster, the UDFAs get the rookie minimum of $390,000 or 1/17th of that as a check every week, as long as they keep their roster spot. Additionally, they may get a small ('small' relative to the base salary) signing bonus, but this will be lower than the bonuses received by the drafted players.

And if they do not make the 53 man final roster, but are added to the practice squad:

If they get signed to a spot on the 8-man practice squad, they are paid a minimum salary of $5,700 per week, or $96,900 over the full regular season if they keep their spot on the practice squad. If a team makes the playoffs, these payments continue for as long as the team is in the playoffs. To protect their players from other teams, or because they really like the potential of a given player, some teams pay their roster squad players significantly more.

Thats the basics. 

Thanks, AndOne, that is how I understood the system to work but the bonus situation for rookies is new information to me.  Even at only $3-$5K, it is good that they all, usually, receive something upfront for signing. 

[voice]

The day started with the great news that Matt Blanchard was signed by the Chicago Bears following rookie minicamp over the weekend.

Meanwhile the Green Bay Packers have just announced that they have signed five tryout players.  According to packers.com, the Green Bay Packers signed T Shea Allard, WR Jarrett Boykin, G Grant Cook, WR Curenski Gilleylen and CB Otis Merrill, and waived T Chris Campbell. 

The three players out of the WIAC: Kris Rosholt, P, UW-Whitewater, Casey Casper, LS, UW-Whitewater, Taylor Butzler, OL, UW-Stout along with Michael Zweifel, WR, Dubuque (Whitewater native) were not signed after particpating in this past weekend's rookie orientation camp the Hutson Center in Green Bay.

http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-1/Packers-sign-five-tryout-players/bae00ca2-1c4c-47c4-9312-78968d3bde52

[WarhawkDad]

Bears sign Blanchard! Congratulations Matt!!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-qb-blanchard-among-7-players-signed-by-bears-20120513,0,5396181.story

Fantastic News!!!

We are so thrilled for Matt and the Blanchards!!  I have said for years that the Bears either don't recognize talent or don't know how to develop it!  CLEARLY, I was dead wrong!  LOL  Of course, the exit of Jerry Angelo has definitely helped to change things around Halas Hall for the better, so far anyway, it seems!

OUTSTANDING!!!!     WAY TO GO MATT

[WarhawkDad]

Ward and Stanford should be good but hopefully another FIB running back could be on the Warhawk horizon for next year.....but as Badgerwarhawk says we will see who reports in August......Pound the Rock......

The question of who will get the carries this year is intriquing to say the least.  It's really hard to imagine that there won't be at least one new name that pops up when the season starts.  Voice is close to the team so I'm going to assume he has seen something in the off season to feel Ward will bring a lot to the table given his tail off last year.

I hear Stanford and Ward got most of the carries during Spring ball.  I also understand there are several transfers that have been touring campus over the last couple weeks, at a variety of positions, no commitments yet.  You just have to see who shows up in August. 

WarhawkDad

Lots of sightings and rumors during UWW's spring practice.  We'll know more when players officially report to Fall practice in mid-August. Until then "my lips are sealed" blog and Website wise.  Sorry!!

LOL, thats ok......I have some sources of my own....but due to National ummmm, Warhawk Security reasons I will not divulge anything at this time!