It’s Camp Week … Monday Cup O’Chiefs
It’s the beginning of one of the biggest weeks on the football calendar.
By this time next week, all 32 training camps in the National Football League will be up and running and football will be in the air.
The Chiefs will hit the road to Wisconsin on Thursday for the start of their 19th and likely final training camp in the north woods. If all construction goes as planned, they’ll be at Missouri Western University next year in St. Joseph.
Most of the team’s equipment has already made the trip to River Falls, including training machines, computers, pads, tape, Gatorade and a thousand other items. Picking up a football operation and moving 500 miles is not something that gets done in one afternoon.
On Monday, Todd Haley and his coaching staff will be back in the Chiefs offices and preparing for the start of practices on Saturday.
The work that must get done before the team heads north is up to Scott Pioli and his group in getting the final four draft choices signed to contracts.
Still sitting out there is No. 1 pick DE Tyson Jackson, third-rounder DE Alex Magee, fourth-round CB Donald Washington and sixth-round WR Quinten Lawrence.
As of late Sunday evening only 88 of the 256 draft choices remained unsigned or without an agreement around the league. Just more than half of those (47) are first and second round picks like Jackson; only four No. 1 picks have signed and 13 have inked contracts in the second round.
The highest unsigned pick is OT Jason Smith, taken with the second choice of the first round by St. Louis. The lowest unsigned pick is WR Tiquan Underwood, who was the 253rd player selected (by Jacksonville.)
There shouldn’t be any trouble getting Magee, Washington and Lawrence done before the team takes the big bird north. Jackson, figures to be another story. He’s represented by one of the agent-heavyweights handling NFL players today: Eugene Parker (right). Over the years, Parker has done mega-deals for guys like Rod Woodson, Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Derrick Brooks, Hines Ward and Larry Fitzgerald.
One of Parker’s clients is DE Richard Seymour of the New England Patriots. No one is quite sure just how much contract negotiating Pioli did during the last eight seasons in Foxboro, but there’s no doubt he’s gotten to know and talk with Parker in the past.
Again, the money structure for draft picks pretty much gets set as players sign their deals on a slotting system. On top of the first round, the first choice QB Matt Stafford got a six-year, $72 million deal with close to $41 million guaranteed. The fifth choice QB Mark Sanchez got a five-year deal for $60 million with $28 million guaranteed.
Normally, as the third player selected, Jackson’s deal would fall somewhere between those bookend contracts. Certainly that’s what Parker is going to say in negotiations. Pioli and the Chiefs are going to counter that those deals are quarterbacks and they should have no bearing on negotiations with Jackson.
And it’s tough to use last year’s third choice as a road map, because that was another quarterback, Matt Ryan with the Atlanta Falcons. Ryan got a six-year, $66 million deal with $34.75 guaranteed.
That’s the neighborhood where Parker wants to build the house for Jackson’s contract. It’s highly doubtful Pioli is going to roll with those types of numbers. The Chiefs have no salary cap problems so there’s nothing hamstringing the GM on that end. What will hold things up will be Pioli’s desire to draw a line in the monetary sand with this deal. One of his selling points in conversations with Clark Hunt during the interview process was that the previous regime paid too much for some players.
As important as it is for the Chiefs that Jackson be in camp and get as much preparation time as possible, it’s also for important for Pioli to establish that when it comes to compensation, he’s not going to overpay.
Ironically, despite Pioli’s attempts to limit the outflow on contracts, by the time he’s done with Jackson’s deal, he will have negotiated the two biggest deals in Chiefs history: Jackson and QB Matt Cassel’s six-year, $63 million deal with $28 guaranteed.
That’s going to be somewhere north of $110 million in total bucks and $50 million in guaranteed Hunt dollars for two players that have 15 starts in the NFL and have never played a game wearing a red and gold uniform.
As Sunday was coming to an end, here are the numbers on draft picks without contracts:
| Round | Picks | Unsigned | Notable Players Unsigned |
|
1 |
32 |
28 |
Tyson Jackson, Aaron Curry, Andre Smith |
|
2 |
32 |
19 |
Rey Maualuga, Pat White, James Laurinaitis |
|
3 |
37 |
14 |
Alex Magee, Michael Johnson, Chase Coffman |
|
4 |
36 |
12 |
Donald Washington, Louis Murphy |
|
5 |
37 |
4 |
Quinn Johnson, Michael Hamlin |
|
6 |
35 |
6 |
Quinten Lawrence, Tom Brandstater |
|
7 |
47 |
5 |
Lydon Murtha, Tiquan Underwood |
SIGNINGS & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE
BILLS – signed second-round draft choice G Andy Levitre; released LB John DiGiorgio; placed WR James Hardy and WR C.J. Hawthorne on PUP list.
BRONCOS – agreed to terms with second-round draft choice CB Alphonso Smith.
BROWNS – signed first-round draft choice C Alex Mack and second round OLB David Veikune.
CHARGERS – signed third-round draft choice G Louis Vasquez and fourth-round picks DL Vaughn Martin, RB Gartrell Johnson and OL Tyronne Green.
PANTHERS – signed second-round draft choice DE Everette Brown.
PATRIOTS – agreed to terms with second-round draft choice CB Patrick Chung.
RAIDERS – signed third-round draft choice DE Matt Shaughnessy.
RAVENS – signed second-round draft choice DE Paul Kruger; recently signed WR Drew Bennett announced his retirement, citing a knee injury that flared up late last week.
STEELERS – agree to terms with first-round draft choice DT Ziggy Hood.
I’m smelling a long holdout on the Tyson Jackson signing especially if his agent is using QB dollars as the standard, as Bob points out. Then too, if the agent caves to a compromise deal, it’s used against him by other agents during player recruitment in the months ahead.
Couple all that with Pioli’s statement about not overpaying for players as he says his predecessor did and we have the makings of a brutal impasse and long holdout.
NOT the way you want to start camp with a new coaching staff and a fresh page for everyone to embrace. Not the way with your top pick sitting it out.
Happy belated Birthday Bob! Sorry, I just found out! You do an awesome job!
Thanks Bob! I was just wondering where we were on signings…you always are on target! Great analysis on the issues.
Hope he signs early,can’t afford a hold out 4 our defense. Also we need another weapon opposite Bowe @ wr perhaps bouldin. This will never happen this year maybe next year.
I can’t think of anything negative to say right now, even though I so desperately want to. I guess I’m not as smart or clever as I had previously thought.
I’m thinking this will take a while. I hope it doesn’t….but it has all the makings of a long hold out.
This is exactly why the league needs to come up with some sort of “Rookie” contract system. It would end all this signing BS.
These rookies need to come in and play, at the very least, one year in the NFL before their “worth” is evaluated. These higher draft picks get HUGE deals…and half of them never even become productive players in the league. It’s pretty messed up, if you ask me.
And Pioli should not overpay for Jackson. If he wants to hold out…then F him. He’ll only be hurting himself in the long run. He’s not going to make or break our D this year, anyway.
Do need Jackson—-If a year passed and a player is on a play off team and EVERONE wants him, then these agents are going to be nut’s !!
What’s best ????
I am not going to say –I think– IT IS going to be a FACT that Jackson will be a huge problem for any one of the 31 teams out there.
Biggest difference maker, YES.
1st round picks are always a nightmare with GM’s. Fortunately, we have Scott Pioli. This is not his first rodeo & I would not be surprised that he has negotiated for Jackson to be at training camp without a final inked contract.
The 3 remaining unsigned players & their respective agents understand that contract signings prior to camp are imperative. Later round holdouts are few & usually looked down upon by fans & I think diminishes their $value.
I, like many others believe they will be signed up by Thursday.
’search’ = Carl Peterson… training camp draws nigh, the unsigned stand by.
Which is to say (borrowing from an old ‘Twilight Zone’ episode)- “No change - no change at all!”
daddy-o, ‘check’ affirming as busily he contemplates the lunacy his “any 22″ come to fruition a few days hence…
Speaking of coming to “fruition”…
And so too draws near - the end of Rin’s “search and check”…Haley’s incompetence crap…and assorted other gloom and doom BS that we’re subjected to daily.
As with the coming success of our team, and the building of a winning franchise…will come the end of all naysaying. Built upon the crushed bones of all those that do not believe.
Scott,
Don’t get your hopes up…when the Chiefs put it together, Rin will “affirm” that it was all due to the toil and effort of Herm. …We’ll all just know the truth.
Josh,
Don’t you mean the “toilet effort” of Herm?
Not sure what the dollars will be…but it is cause for concern that it’s a week before camp starts and several players are still unsigned it appears.
Scott,
Yes, something along those lines…although if his toilet effort were anything like his teams’ on-the-field performance, the man probably had a severe case of hemorroids.
I have no worries about Magee, Washington, and Lawrence. Those deals will almost certainly be announced in the next couple of days. Hopefully Jackson doesn’t hold out. He was damn lucky to be taken at 3 and he needs to sign a deal worth slightly more than Dorsey’s, not Sanchez’s. I’m not overly concerned about a Jackson holdout. It may happen, but we haven’t gotten to camp just yet. Let’s wait to worry until that day comes.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Magee, Washington, and Lawerence are already signed, and it hasn’t been officially announced. I think Jackson will sign as soon as Jason Smith of the Rams is signed. Ithink his deal is more important, because Sanchez got a over-inflated deal because he was a QB. If Smith is a holdout, Jackson may be late signing. I’m hoping that doesn’t happen.
HermRocked!
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Magee, Washington, and Lawerence are already signed, and it hasn’t been officially announced.”
Does Pioli have a reduced-cost deal with his publicist for a one-week delay on news releases or something?
If Jackson is the guy they thought they drafted, he will tell his agent, hes going to camp, get a deal done, GET IT DONE.
He MUST be there, plain and simple. Especially if Magee looks good, Jackson could come in late and hurt his elbow like Sims, he needs to show up
Scott just hates it when Rin & others don’t march in lock-step with his inane phantasms, namely “no dissent & no original thinking too…rose-colored Chiefs glasses - wear ‘em or be blind.” Alas ’tis true, ’search’ & ‘check’ to affirm - they haven’t a clue: “any 22 will do.”
Rin will thence as now & afore & e’ermore be here season aft season, to grin some more… Scottie’s chagrin.
heh heh heh
Yup, Herm is STILL The Man!
daddy-o, ’search’ & ‘check’ affirming…
Rin takes an easy position on this, if Haley does well, he gives credit to herm, if haley fails, he says edwards could have done better…
really its just a herm edwards love affair. I defended Herm for years, but hes gone now, and some of his high picks like Tamba, are looking suspect. Dont tell me its due to a system change, Hali was terrible last year, and I stood up for Hali as well prior to last season.
“Original thinking”? Is that what you call that? LMAO!
Your “Herm’s still the man” battle cry is all I need…to know that your mind is warped. And you talk about ME wearing “rose colored glasses”? Until you can curb your mental illness…your arguements will continue to be weak. I don’t know why I even bother debating an idiot.
It’s even more succinct than that alex k…
Circa 2009, Rin is doing precisely vis a vis the new not so dynamic duo & what was done in 2008 to Edwards & Peterson; agreement or dis same, tis beside the point really, turnabout being fair play.
‘A’ because I can & will continue to, ‘B’ because I believe it (in both cases) and ‘C’ because doth make the natives so restless…heh heh heh.
daddy-o, ’search’ & ‘check’ affirming…
Scott said
“I don’t know why I even bother debating an idiot.”
- because talking to yourself be more reassuring and agreeable - not to mention a far easier sell than convincing others via your lunacy…
daddy-o, ’search’ :shock; & ‘check’ affirming…
[...] Pioli will have committed the two largest contracts in Chiefs history (Jackson and Cassel). H/T Bob Gretz for that [...]
[...] Pioli will have committed the two largest contracts in Chiefs history (Jackson and Cassel). H/T Bob Gretz for that [...]
Rin Tin Tin says:
“because talking to yourself be more reassuring and agreeable - not to mention a far easier sell than convincing others via your lunacy…”
Yup. I’m the lunatic here. You got me.
For what it’s worth: I consistently read these comments (rarely post though), and I’ll throw my vote into the mix: Scott consistently schools your resident troll. Doesn’t seem to make much of a difference though, as the troll seems to think throwing out “I know you are but what am I?” retorts counts for a troll victory.
I’m really not sure why he does it, but I think he summed it up pretty well himself with his point C: “because doth make the natives so restless.” Not sure why a person thinks it’s fun to sit around and consistently piss people off all day. I prefer to hang around places where people actually prefer me to be there and generally try to make people’s days better (as opposed to trying my best to get them to punch a hole in their computer screen).
Oh well, what are you gonna do? Just wanted to chime in for you Scott.
Thanks, Brad.
Rin is all about trying to be the center of attention…pure and simple. And I’m an idiot for even responding to him.
And just for the record, Rin does not “piss me off”. Nothing anyone can type on an internet comment section is going to affect my day one way or another, really.
Scott says:
“Yup. I’m the lunatic here.”
- progress…
“You got me.”
- but fortunately ‘am not’ you…
daddy-o
Brad,
I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head.
Brad said
For what it’s worth: I consistently read these comments”
- 2 cents, no more…
“(rarely post though)”
- hadn’t noticed…
“and I’ll throw my vote into the mix”
- polls are now closed… Rin won (always does.)
“Scott”
- - a semblance of Chiefly resemblance
“consistently”
- without fail or pause e’en…though he changes his username his ‘inane’ shines through, always.
“schools your resident troll.”
- I believe he was born with his impediment, didn’t go to school as such to learn how…
“Doesn’t seem to make much of a difference though”
- no, he’s a hamster alright…
“as the”
- wheel turns…
“troll”
- doth too…
“seems to think”
- but hides it well nee doesn’t evidence said this blog…
“throwing out”
- and up his Chiefs reflux…
“I know”
- good, we’ve consensus…
“you are”
- Rin Tin Tin - ICON
“but what am I?”
- another follower this Pied Piper…
“retorts counts”
- in the hands of Master Rin, unquestionably they do…
“for a troll victory.”
- wouldst require Rin remove His foot the troll’s windpipe, let them breathe…
“I’m really not sure why he does it”
- he digs Rin’s doggy style wit & rapacious knowledge all things Chiefs…
“but I think he summed it up pretty well himself with his point”
- shh! Scott’s very sensitive about his cranial steeple…
“C”
- no ’si’, but yes just the same…
“because doth make the natives so restless.”
- we tolerate him here this blog…
“Not sure why”
- he needs the attention, and it is an outlet provides him the rigor of a rite…
“a person thinks”
- but is not necessarily coherent as he affirms…
“it’s fun to sit around and consistently piss people off all day.”
- really (rhetorical question)…
“I prefer to hang around places where people actually prefer me to be there and generally try to make people’s days better (as opposed to trying my best to get them to punch a hole in their computer screen).”
- any luck so far?
daddy-o, ’search’ & ‘check’ affirming…
3 blind mice have taken over.
agreed Scott, I went ahead and pointed out his thinking on herm being that if Haley fails, herm wouldve done better, and if haley does well, its because of herm….Its this cant lose defense of Herm that is weak….he had no way to refute this…he accepts it.
I think we reply to it sometimes just because it gets ridiculous when he toots his own horn for being right when he sets himself up to take the “I was right” route either way.
The Ripper (OMG, I’m going 3d person), stands by his initial comments. Colby, you make sense with your take except to take into consideration what TJack’s agent has at stake which cannot be minimized.
There’s turf at stake here with a high pick and my view is Pioli will want to protect it at all costs, including the hardballing of the agent and player. Wish it wasn’t so.
Wish we lived in a different world but I’ll tell you what. If TJack signs within A WEEK of training camp OPENING, I’ll be back to eat some crow.
Rip,
A long holdout will hurt Jackson more than it will the team. The further he gets behind…the worse off he’ll be. Your points are valid, though. And you very well could be right. Pioli has to walk a fine line between getting his man to camp ASAP…and not throwing away a ton of money. Guess that’s what they pay the man to do, though.
And if it comes down to it…Rin’s probably got some “crow” recipes he’d share with you.
Scott,
Copy that xmission. I think the word is hubris if not posturing with a quick shake of positioning added to the scenario.
Too much macho testosterone from both sides for this not to be a standoff statement from one or the other so I’ll again, stand by my prediction.
Come one, come all - and STILL undefeated blogdom Champion - Rin Tin Tin!
daddy-o, ’search’ & ‘check’ affirming…
Well and good folks, but what is going on with the other picks. It is not in their best interest not to be in camp at the beginning. Carl revelled in “tough” bargaining but I had hoped Pioli would want his first set in camp to start his rebuild.
Saying “I win” does not make you a winner. Especially when everyone else hates you and wishes you would go away.
Like the Cassell deal. Pioli will get a deal that makes sense for both sides. And he’ll get it done in time to keep Jackson from holding out. Trust we got one of the best GM’s in the business not worried. IF this was Peterson maybe I’d be concerned but I don’t worry about this guy he know how to get things done. Go Chiefs
One more part to finish off what after Jackson will mean is if they could get someone that could REALLY-REALLY fire up the offence, like HIM– to run and fire up the offence.
There is one guy that can do it all , and the CHIEFS are in the best position to sign him for a 2 to 3 year ———– the best running back to step on the field ——–MV.
“You are done for - a living dead man - not when you stop loving but stop hating. Hatred preserves for in it - in its chemistry, resides the mystery of life.” - EM Cioran
Rin Tin Tin - daily giver nee resuscitator of life this blog.
Rin Tin Tin - ‘Winner’
daddy-o, ’search’ & ‘check’ affirming…
Rin Tin Tin - ‘Weiner’
Search…check…and affirming. Daddy-o.
Jim why would the Chiefs want Vick? He never did anything when he was in the NFL, how many superbowls did he play in? He sat in jail and believe me he is not in playing condition. The NFL will suspend him when he signs. So you will give him at least the minimum salary just to stand around and breath and hope and pray he will be valuable at the end of 09 or 10. Why would the Chiefs want him? They do not. Besides I like my dog and do not want to keep him locked up all the time.
Scott said
“Rin Tin Tin”
- yes, what is it you want from me now?
“Weiner”
- I can understand that - the Rin ‘amore’ization line forms to the right…
“Search…”
- s there waiting…
“check”
- s there too…
“and affirming”
- yes, both of them…
“Daddy-o.”
- quite so; is as Rin does…
I like football.
I love my dogs.
To this day I have never taken any of my pets to a game. Two different things, The guy is hell on wheels, that as someone with his force is a lot to deal with by no mean’s.
Magee was sort of Jackson holdout insurance, as well as a good player in his own right.
I don’t blame Jackson’s agent for looking for a deal somewhere between #1 and #5. That’s what he’s supposed to get, regradless of position, in this ridiculous system of 1st round signings the NFL has currently. Jackson would be a fool to take a hugely discounted contract, and Pioli knows that. When #2 and/or #4 come in, that should set the deal for Jackson, and hopefully it will get done quickly.
What Pioli was talkng about to Clark were the ridiculous contracts for stiffs or done players like Ty Law, McIntosh, Nap Harris, and too high for Surtain, Kendrell Bell, McLeon, Welbourne, etc that Carl was guilty ofover the years. Notice the vet signings Pioli did were low money and low years.
actually the mcintosh deal wasnt that large, Im not a fan, but for a starting right tackle for what will be the 3rd straight year, not bad pay.