FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Today's Early Bird Report includes Arthur Blank's thoughts on how today's quarterback contracts compare to those of the past as well as some trouble for 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster.
Enjoy!
FALCONS HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
ESPN: Blank says NFL QB contracts are a 'different world' from Home Depot days
The market for NFL quarterbacks continues to climb, with 49ers starter Jimmy Garoppolo the latest to cash in, signing a five-year, $137.5 million deal that makes him the league's highest-paid player. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is among the next in line to secure a new contract, but the Falcons are hoping it's one that provides flexibility for the rest of the team moving forward.
Speaking with ESPN’s Vaugh McClure, Falcons owner Arthur Blank discussed how quarterback contracts have changed since he was earning his fortune at The Home Depot.
"What do I think about it? I think about when I retired from Home Depot [2001], I think my bonus that year was $1.5 million, and that was the second-largest retail group in the world when I retired," Blank told McClure. "It's a different world in this industry, what the market is. And this is a partnership with our players."
The Falcons have been very up front in saying that Ryan’s contract extension is a top priority as they head into the start of the new league year.
Here are more articles for Falcons fans:
- The Falcoholic: Imagining five Falcons as winter olympians
- *USA TODAY: *Quinn’s record against winning teams is impressive
BIGGEST NEWS FROM AROUND THE NFL
NFL.com: Reuben Foster arrested on domestic violence, threat charges
It's been a troubling 30 days for San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster. The 31st overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft has been arrested twice over that span, the second arrest happening on Sunday morning on suspicion of domestic violence, threats and assault weapon possession charges, according to NFL.com.
"The San Francisco 49ers organization is aware of the report regarding Reuben Foster," a 49ers spokesman said, per NFL.com. "We take matters of this nature seriously and are gathering all pertinent information."
Foster was also arrested on Jan. 13 in Alabama on a possession of marijuana charge, which was the first major off-field incident for the 49ers defender since being drafted. A star linebacker at Alabama, Foster was largely considered one of the premier players in last year's draft, but he fell down draft boards due to injury concerns and after he was sent home early from the NFL combine after an argument with a hospital worker.
In his first season with the 49ers, Foster started 10 games and registered 72 tackles.
Here are some more articles from around the league:
- CBS Sports: Eagles player says Patriots are run by fear
- ESPN: Will the NFL’s injured stars be ready for Week 1?
- *Sports Illustrated: *Kareem Hunt accused of shoving, pushing Ohio woman
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