Michael Lewis writes some interesting books on the sporting labour market. Moneyball has been widely discussed, The Blind Side less so. In The Blind Side, Lewis tells the story of Michael Oher, a a massive left tackle who ends up going to Ole Miss on a football scholarship after literally walking out of the tough side of town in Memphis while he was in high school.
Around this amazing personal story, Lewis tells the story of how the Left Tackle position (the offensive linesman whose primary purpose is to protect the (right-handed) Quarterback from being hit on his blind side) has evolved into one ofthe highest paid and most important positions in American football.
Interesting then, that the Miami Dolphins announced they would use their No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft to secure:
Jake Long, the University of Michigan offensive lineman, with their first pick — all 2.01 metres (six foot seven) and 143 kilograms (315 pounds) of him. Then they announced they’d pay him $A61.2 million over five years. The salary’s a record — it makes him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the comp
This story was interesting enough to make The Age newspaper in Melbourne (Australia not Florida…). Locals, over to you for more NFL Draft commentary.
