Calvin Johnson Could Miss the Beginning of Training Camp (1 Viewer)

[hephner]

Not that this is all that surprising since in recent years, we've seen a fair amount of players at the top of the draft holding out into part of camp, but FWIW:

-- Calvin Johnson Could Miss the Beginning of Training Camp --

Wed Jul 18, 2007 --from FFMastermind.com

The Detroit Free Press while the Lions are talking with Bus Cook, the agent for No. 2 overall draft pick WR Calvin Johnson, negotiations appear to be slow. The Oakland Raiders did not sign No. 1 overall pick QB JaMarcus Russell before the draft and negotiations reportedly are moving slowly there as well. The Raiders report to camp two days after the Lions do. If Russell's negotiations drag on, Johnson's could, too. Cook might want to wait for Russell to sign first and set the market. He could argue that his client deserves No. 1 money. Though Johnson was the No. 2 overall pick, he was widely considered the best player in the draft.

 

[grind]

Now timeout. The Lions have no problem making Redding the highest paid DT in the NFL based on his last 8 to 11 games last year after moving to the position but can't get CJ in on time? What a franchise. Based on the Redding signing, I would think they would offer CJ at least top 10 WR money, which I can't see CJ turning down. Sure CJ has no NFL production to base the top ten WR $ on, but they gave Redding top DT $ based on only 10 games.

 

[massraider]

Now timeout. The Lions have no problem making Redding the highest paid DT in the NFL based on his last 8 to 11 games last year after moving to the position but can't get CJ in on time? What a franchise. Based on the Redding signing, I would think they would offer CJ at least top 10 WR money, which I can't see CJ turning down. Sure CJ has no NFL production to base the top ten WR $ on, but they gave Redding top DT $ based on only 10 games.

Redding's contract has nothing to do with CJ. Signing a franchise guy, and signing a rookie are two different games, with two different rules. Signing Redding to a crazy contract doesn't mean that CJ should expect top 10 WR money.The only thing CJ can expect is a similar contract to last year's #2, with the usual increases. No one (agent) wants to be the first guy in the top 5 to sign, because the fear is that the guy right behind you gets some clause or bonus that you didn't get.Every year there is posturing about how a player wants money above their slot, and yada yada yada. And every year they get slotted. It's just the players and their reps checking for weaknesses, doing their due diligence. The NFL is not about to make the rookie signing process any harder than it already is.There may very well be a long term holdout, but it's too early to say who that is. There's a good chance there could be one this year, because Russell hasn't signed, and having the #1 guy signed before the draft usually gives everyone a starting point. I sort of wonder if the Raiders are willing to play hardball with Russell because they aren't expecting him to start immediately, and if that'll affect CJ and Thomas.

 

[vandyt]

Now timeout. The Lions have no problem making Redding the highest paid DT in the NFL based on his last 8 to 11 games last year after moving to the position but can't get CJ in on time? What a franchise. Based on the Redding signing, I would think they would offer CJ at least top 10 WR money, which I can't see CJ turning down. Sure CJ has no NFL production to base the top ten WR $ on, but they gave Redding top DT $ based on only 10 games.

Of the many things wrong with this, omitting the rookie salary pool limitations is probably your biggest oversight.

 

[salmonstud]

The Lions are no different than any other team about it taking time before the top 10-15 rookies are signed. Yes, the Lions stink...but this isn't a valid complaint.

 

[grind]

By not paying CJ what he want, which I doubt it top 10 WR money anyway, after signing Redding to the contract they did, shows no consistency or direction as an organization. I guess this explains why the Lions have top five to ten draft picks every year. Obviously money isn’t an issue (exhibit A: the Redding contract), so get the man in camp on time, which may require paying a bit more then #2 slotted money. Why would they baulk at paying him top dollar? Risk associated with the unknown/lack of NFL experience? This can’t be the case as they gave Redding top $$$ for very small window of productive NFL experience. Guess my rant is more a mockery of the Redding signing. My only point is that both Redding and CJ have very little to no productive NFL experience to base a top $$$ contract on. They did it with Redding, so they should do it with CJ and get his #### into camp on time, so he can start producing week one.

 

[massraider]

By not paying CJ what he want, which I doubt it top 10 WR money anyway, after signing Redding to the contract they did, shows no consistency or direction as an organization. I guess this explains why the Lions have top five to ten draft picks every year. Obviously money isn’t an issue (exhibit A: the Redding contract), so get the man in camp on time, which may require paying a bit more then #2 slotted money.

If they did, and you were the Lions 1st round pick in 2008, would you settle for slotted money? Why? The Lions will have established a pattern of willing to pay players above their slot, why should you settle for less? Paying CJ #1 money would be the the stupidest thing the Lions could ever do.

 

[Routilla]

Paying CJ #1 money would be the the stupidest thing the Lions could ever do.

You are underestimating Matt Millen IMO.

 

[Jason Wood]

The Redding and CJ situations are very different. CJ, as the 2nd pick, has a slot that his agent will expect him to fit into as will the NFLPA. Until they see what Russell gets (which I'm sure will be somewhere 12%-15% higher in guaranteed money than last year's #1), it's difficult to negotiate from both sides of the CJ situation.

 

[grind]

The Redding and CJ situations are very different. CJ, as the 2nd pick, has a slot that his agent will expect him to fit into as will the NFLPA. Until they see what Russell gets (which I'm sure will be somewhere 12%-15% higher in guaranteed money than last year's #1), it's difficult to negotiate from both sides of the CJ situation.

Say what? The NFLPA and agent are going to want him to get as much money as possible. The Lions have already shown that they're willing to give up top cash based on very little past NFL performance. That said, they should stay consistant and give CJ top 10 to 15 WR money, which will make the NFLPA and Agent very happy, I'm sure.

 

[Captain Blowhard]

I'm stumped. What have the Lions done wrong here?

Training camp is a week away and like, what, 3 first-round picks are signed and the Lions are being singled out for not having CJ all signed, sealed, and delivered?

Some of you people need to get a life.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

I'm stumped. What have the Lions done wrong here? Training camp is a week away and like, what, 3 first-round picks are signed and the Lions are being singled out for not having CJ all signed, sealed, and delivered?Some of you people need to get a life.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

 

[Spartans Rule]

The Redding and CJ situations are very different. CJ, as the 2nd pick, has a slot that his agent will expect him to fit into as will the NFLPA. Until they see what Russell gets (which I'm sure will be somewhere 12%-15% higher in guaranteed money than last year's #1), it's difficult to negotiate from both sides of the CJ situation.

Say what? The NFLPA and agent are going to want him to get as much money as possible. The Lions have already shown that they're willing to give up top cash based on very little past NFL performance. That said, they should stay consistant and give CJ top 10 to 15 WR money, which will make the NFLPA and Agent very happy, I'm sure.

So because they overpaid one guy, they should overpay another one just for consistency's sake?The Redding deal was stupid, but that has nothing to do with CJ.

 

[Penguin]

That Redding contract was ridiculous for a top 30'ish DL that had a nice close to the '06 season at a position he was forced to move to due to injury.

Good thing for the Lions that he isn't in Taylor/Suggs/Peppers league. They might have paid him 100 Mil for 5 years

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Some of you people need to get a life.

Some need to get a clue too and realize how rookie contracts work.

 

[Zigg]

I'm stumped. What have the Lions done wrong here? Training camp is a week away and like, what, 3 first-round picks are signed and the Lions are being singled out for not having CJ all signed, sealed, and delivered?Some of you people need to get a life.

Not really. One guy is giving it to the Lions, and everyone is disagreeing. You're telling a bunch of people who agree with you to get a life.

 

[KellysHeroes]

See Reggie Bush Last yr

 

[Aaronstory]

The title of the thread should be changed to read: Any 1st round pick other than Olsen could miss the beginning of training camp

Really people. Can we just take it as a given that any 1st rounder could hold out? Here I thought he was injured or something...

 

[Anthony Borbely]

I don't see the point of this thread.