Jump to content

Draft Season Over; Holdout Season Commences?


Recommended Posts

Well, the draft is over and the Bengals have selected their No. 1 pick this year, CB Johnathan Joseph.

We all know what comes next, right?

The Holdout.

Well...maybe. Perhaps this is the year the front office actually gets their first rounder into camp on time. Some things to consider going forward:

-- The 24th pick in 2005 was Packers QB Aaron Rogers. His deal was worth a reported $24.5 million if all his incentives were hit, but the base deal was a 5-year, $7.7 million contract with $5.4 million guaranteed. That was slotted in with the 23rd pick, Raiders DB Fabian Washington, who got $7.8 million ($5.3 million guaranteed) over 5 years.

So this isn't a big deal, which bodes well. Joseph should get something on the order of $8 million over 5 years, with about $5.5 million or so guaranteed. If history is any guide, however, the Bengals will wrangle over the guaranteed coin, meaning that like last year a few hundred thousand could stall negotiations.

-- This year's man in the barrel: Jason Chayut of the Sportstars agency (the infamous IMG's main competition). Here's Jason headed to the gallows...er...his wedding in Tribeca in 2002:

allisonjason1_175.jpg

Among others, he also reps Sheldon Brown and Deion Branch. Last year, he was the agent for No. 10 overall pick Dunta Robinson, who inked his deal with the Texans July 24 -- making him, at that time, the highest pick to sign. So that's also promising -- Chayut has a history of getting deals done and as far as I can tell does not have a reputation as a jerk.

However, I also haven't seen any evidence that he's ever had to deal with Troy, Pumpkie and, of course, the Dark Lord himself before, either. Given how quirky our front office can be, that is a Bad Thing. Fortunately, the new CBA appears to have taken some of the more controversial issues (like the loyalty clause) off the table, tho heaven knows what may be percolating in the bowels of PBS.

Right now, I'm leaning toward thinking that Joseph will in camp on time. And wouldn't that be a pleasant change of pace?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Promising tidbit from a Lenny P. column last May about the Sportstars agency...

The emergence of Sportstars, a firm that includes seven registered agents, has been fairly remarkable to track. About five years ago, the agency made a conscious decision to abandon its niche-style recruiting, with most of its clients from the Northeast, and seek a broader base. The result: Sportstars has rated among the top 10 firms in the ESPN.com derby for five straight years. That includes three straight second-place finishes and no ranking below seventh.

Its prize catches this year include first-rounders Matt Jones (Jacksonville) and Fabian Washington (Oakland), two players who didn't mind temporarily moving to the thriving metropolis of Fair Lawn, N.J., to train at the facility with which Sportstars has an exclusive relationship.

Don't bet against one of the Sportstars clients becoming the initial first-round choice to reach a contract accord. Led by superb number cruncher Brian Mackler, the firm has developed a reputation for being proactive in negotiations and annually seems to be out front in striking deals. The lone player among the 255 chosen to have a contract already, St. Louis Rams fourth-round safety Jerome Carter is, not surprisingly, a Sportstars client.

A big selling point for Sportstars, and justifiably so, is that Mackler has a keen knack for defining the market, and his deals typically hold up even when the other contracts begin to fill in. Said Herman: "Brian tries to set the market, rather than have it be set for us, and he just doesn't miss."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh sweet lovable Joisey, why did I know even before I looked to see who started this thread that your name would appear?

I expect JJ to be in camp on time. His draft position is late enough that there will likely be several deals agreed upon near his slot that will help the Bengals determine his price. And the length of the new CBA should prevent the confusion that came in the last two years. Best, his agent sounds reasonable and should know how much his too raw client can gain by being in the fold as quickly as possible.

That said, if there is anything that concerns me it's the elimination of past Bengal contract provisions like the loyalty clause. Do the Bengals attempt to gain comparable protection by introducing a new wrinkle that will need to be fought over? I doubt it, but Mike Brown has never walked away from any stand on principle or bloody combat between lawyers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh sweet lovable Joisey,

You're still not getting my Bud Light... :lol:

That said, if there is anything that concerns me it's the elimination of past Bengal contract provisions like the loyalty clause. Do the Bengals attempt to gain comparable protection by introducing a new wrinkle that will need to be fought over? I doubt it, but Mike Brown has never walked away from any stand on principle or bloody combat between lawyers.

That's just what I was referring to with my "who knows what's percolating in the bowels of PBS" comment. It wouldn't suprise me one bit to see the Bengals roll out some shiny new home-forged monkey wrench to throw in the works. We shall see.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm not that worried. Unless Tory shows up this year looking like he's pulling a sled while he's running, then Joseph won't be expected to start like Pollack was. Admittedly camp will be his best chance to actually learn to be a CB, but this isn't like last year, where every day Pollack sat out made it less and less likely that he'd be ready to start week 1. We know Joseph won't anyway.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm not that worried. Unless Tory shows up this year looking like he's pulling a sled while he's running, then Joseph won't be expected to start like Pollack was. Admittedly camp will be his best chance to actually learn to be a CB, but this isn't like last year, where every day Pollack sat out made it less and less likely that he'd be ready to start week 1. We know Joseph won't anyway.

Nail on the head.

Who cares if he holds out. He won't start. Whitworth won't start. Frostee won't start.

None of these guys start unless injury. Let them hold out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Right now, I'm leaning toward thinking that Joseph will in camp on time. And wouldn't that be a pleasant change of pace?

Well let's look at the #1 picks in the "Marvin Lewis Era."

Carson Palmer. Signed the contract offer, was in camp on time, and has prospered under Marvin Lewis's system. Good for him. Good for the Bengals. Earned every dime you pay for a Hiesman Trophy winning #1 pick.

Chris Perry. Held out for more money. Missed camp. Got more money in offer, then signed. Was promply injured. Then injured again. Earned name "Two Carry Perry" after 1st season. Bad for him. REALLY bad for the Bengals. Jury still out on this guy with me. IMO still hasn't earned the money you give a #1 pick.

David Pollack. Held out for more money. Missed most (If not all) of camp. Got more money in offer, then signed. Didn't initally make too big an impact, although switching positions from what he played in college was undoubtably a factor. Briefly (one week?) was out with an injury, then played improved football the last third of the season. Okay for him. Okay for the Bengals. IMO he'll be good. Not Odell Thurman good, but good.

Now we have Johnathan Joseph. If Joisey's figures are close to right,

Joseph should get something on the order of $8 million over 5 years, with about $5.5 million or so guaranteed. If history is any guide, however, the Bengals will wrangle over the guaranteed coin, meaning that like last year a few hundred thousand could stall negotiations.

I too expect him to not be a hold out, or at least not as long to miss any training camp. The good, okay, or bad for him or the Bengals remains to be seen, but my inclination leans towards the good.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

-- The 24th pick in 2005 was Packers QB Aaron Rogers. His deal was worth a reported $24.5 million if all his incentives were hit, but the base deal was a 5-year, $7.7 million contract with $5.4 million guaranteed. That was slotted in with the 23rd pick, Raiders DB Fabian Washington, who got $7.8 million ($5.3 million guaranteed) over 5 years.

So this isn't a big deal, which bodes well. Joseph should get something on the order of $8 million over 5 years, with about $5.5 million or so guaranteed.

Just to update, Pat Kirwan noted in passing in a column today that Mario Williams' deal represents an 8% raise over the No. 1 overall contract in 2005. An 8% raise over the Rogers deal would land Joseph at $8.3 million total (assuming the same 5-year term) and $5.9 million guaranteed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Diden't pollack take so long because of the wording like corey dillion clause

You mean the loyalty clause, a.k.a the "Pickens clause"? There was some talk that was an issue in the Pollack negotiations at one point, but it faded rather quickly. The main areas of contention were how much of the money was going to be guaranteed, and -- after some of the deals around Pollack came in outside of the expected slots -- the total amount came into question.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...