Friday marks the beginning to the 2010 NFL year, at least as far as the league is concerned, and with that comes the start of free agency. There are reportedly somewhere in the ballpark of 220-275 guys who will be eligible for free agency.  The problem for these players is that most of them will not be unrestricted.

Without going into too much detail, an uncapped year in the NFL mandates that the length of service to become an unrestricted free agent is 6 years, instead of the usual 4. This means that lots of guys who would be able to test the open market, are now getting tendered offers by teams. One player in particular who is really getting the shaft is Kyle Orton.

After a 6-2 start last year the Denver Broncos seemed to be on everyone’s list of surprise teams, but they finished an extremely disappointing 8-8, leaving many players uncertain of their future.  The Broncos placed tender offers to 5 players, including Orton. His offer is said to be a first-round tender worth roughly $2.5 million. What this means is, if a team makes an offer to Orton during the free agency period, the Bronco’s have 7 days to match it or they will receive a first round draft pick as compensation if Orton does sign with that team. All tender offers come in the form of 1 year deals that expire after the current season, meaning Orton will be right back here next year (assuming there is a football season in 2010). It’s important to note that a team must have a first round pick to submit an offer to Orton, otherwise the offer is not valid.

The problem for Orton is this: not many teams would consider him to be worth at least $2.5 million per year, and a first round draft pick. Off the top of my head, the Browns, Rams, Raiders and Redskins are all looking to upgrade at quarterback. The Redskins and Rams will never give away a first rounder, especially this year, the Browns could be looking to draft a QB in the first round, and it would be tough to see the Broncos trading with a division rival.

Orton was quoted last year saying it was a shame players in his situation would have to wait to cash in on free agency. “It’s a bad thing for the 275 players that are in that position with me. Free agency has always been something for the players. It’s always been a great thing. If you get one crack at free agency as a player, that’s what you dream of.”

Kyle Orton is not worth a first round pick. Never has been, never will be. I feel bad for him to a degree, but Kyle, take the 1 year deal from the Broncos and wait until 2011 to “cash in”.

Donation to Coaches vs Cancer………..$500

Mustard costume…………………………..$25

Overnight shipping of costume………….$68

Gas to drive to Purdue from Chicago…..$15

Speeding ticket on the way……………..$135

Sitting in the Paint Crew as an alumnus while watching a Paint Crew member wear a mustard costume, while the rest of the student section chants MUSTARD during Michigan State’s free throw attempts……..PRICELESS

God Bless America and UPS shipping!

-Nick H

Patrick Bade is addicted to bad basketball.  Much like an alcoholic needs a 12 step guide to recovery, so too does Freshman Patrick Bade.  I’m offering myself, former Purdue great, Brad Miller as your sponsor.  Here are my 12 steps:

1.  APPEARANCE IS KEY – You look like an 8 year old boy who cries to his mom after games.  Hard to believe but I once had a baby face, then I grew up. I got cornrows and I started drinking moonshine.  Stop drinking O’Douls, Bade.  If you can, grow a handlebar moustache.

2.  FOUL HARDER – I was going to tell you to stop fouling so much, but I realize that is unrealistic for you.  When I foul, I picture Rajon Rando bleeding on the floor, and then I make it happen.  You picture changing the diapers on your favorite Cabbage Patch Kid, and then you wet yourself.  Hurt the guy.

3. GO TO EUROPE – I was undrafted and went to Europe to play basketball. Do NOT go there to play basketball, go there to drink and get some European strange, you’ll grow up fast

4. PUNT BABIES – It’s funny to watch them spin end over end in the air.

5. IGNORE BOBBY BUCKETS – Although he is a graduate assistant, he is short and short people CANNOT be trusted.

6. BUY BLING – It is shiney and you like shiney things.

7. CHANGE YOUR LAST NAME-  It sucks and defies all english logic for pronunciation.  It is also so close to the word ‘Bad’ that it reminds people of how terrible you are.

8. TAKE VIAGRA- It will be funny when people are trying to post you up and you poke them with your boner.  I did this to Shaq once.  He was pissed, but since I’m a badass, he couldn’t do anything.

9. GROW- If you are going to lack the skill that you do, at least get taller.  You aren’t tall enough to be this bad.

10. MAKE UP A BADASS NICKNAME- I will give you a few ideas: Boss, Tank, Esteban, The Body Guard, Kevin Costner.  Literally anything that isn’t Patrick Bade.

If steps 1 through 10 do not work, you have to resort to these last 2 steps:

11. TRANSFER – We don’t want you as a Boilermaker

12. HANG OUT WITH GILBERT ARENAS- Your life expectancy will drastically drop.

Yours Truly,

Brad ‘Beefcake’ Miller