It's Time To Sign

[CloakNNNdagger]

Football is right around the corner, and for the rookies, they have less than a week to be signed to be able to participate in TC. I don’t see holdout occurring for any of our players, especially since we don’t have any top 10 picks. However, with Rick Smith et al, I may have expected Okam and Adibi on a sheet by now.


Houston Texans (2/7)

1. 26 - T, Duane Brown - unsigned
3. 79 - CB, Antwaun Molden - unsigned
3. 89 - RB, Steve Slaton - unsigned
4. 118 - LB, Xavier Adibi - unsigned
5. 151 - DT, Frank Okam - unsigned
6. 173 - S, Dominique Barber - Signed (Undisclosed)
7. 223 - QB, Alex Brink - Signed (Undisclosed)

Here is a comprehensive LIST of how all the other NFL teams fare in their rookie signings (updated 7/13/08)

Here’s a summary of that list:

Overall: 93/252
Round 1: 3/31
Round 2: 2/32
Round 3: 11/36
Round 4: 15/36
Round 5: 14/31
Round 6: 23/41
Round 7: 25/45

[PapaL]

This is the one part of football season I hate; getting picks signed. I really wish there was a predetermined tier so we could skip this part.

Looks like we are on par with the rest of the league (bottom picks signed). Hopefully something breaks through this week; we need this guy in there.

[SAMURAITEXAN]

Didn't we always sign rookies on time except for Travis Johnson which is like a day after TC or something close to it? Anyway, we usually sign our rookies on time so I don't worry about that much and expecting the same for this year.

GO TEXANS!!!

[TD]

Originally Posted by PapaL

This is the one part of football season I hate; getting picks signed. I really wish there was a predetermined tier so we could skip this part.

Same here. I really hope a rookie wage scale is part of the next CBA (fat chance).

[SheTexan]

Originally Posted by TD

Same here. I really hope a rookie wage scale is part of the next CBA (fat chance).

My thoughts exactly!! I think they should be signed before they put on a Texan jersey and walk into our facitlities. The Texans would not have picked them in the first place if they didn't already have some faith in their abilities, so, why go through all the mini camps, etc, and stress out one week before TC trying to get them signed. JMO!

[Ole Miss Texan]

Anybody know who Brown's agent is? Sounds like Smith has been working on getting an extension for Demeco in place too. I think we've got the coaching/staff pretty much in place and are really great at drafting players/picking free agents. Now all we have to do is keep the allstar's we have (AJ extension, Demeco, Mario, etc.) Hope we never lose these guys

[ChampionTexan]

Originally Posted by Ole Miss Texan

Anybody know who Brown's agent is? Sounds like Smith has been working on getting an extension for Demeco in place too. I think we've got the coaching/staff pretty much in place and are really great at drafting players/picking free agents. Now all we have to do is keep the allstar's we have (AJ extension, Demeco, Mario, etc.) Hope we never lose these guys

I agree that a Rookie wage-scale is needed, both for reducing/eliminating holdouts and to encourage teams to pay the money to the vets who've earned it rather than an unproven 22 year old with a fairly high bust potential.

Still, I've actually enjoyed certain holdouts over the past few years. Brady Quinn and Jamarcus Russell come to mind quickly. It will also be interesting to see what happens with the Raiders signing McFadden. I say that based on nothing more than the fact that Al Davis will be calling the shots for the Raiders, and who knows what's going to happen when that's the case. Did he learn a lesson from Russell's holdout last year (Does he remember Russell's holdout last year), or does he really have buyers remorse for all the dollars he's already spent this off-season, and views McFadden as an opportunity to make up for it?

The one nice thing is that given past history, whatever holdout drama develops, it's unlikely to involve us, so we can just sit back and enjoy it.

Edit: Nevermind about McFadden - completely forgot he'd already signed.

[aj.]

The rookie wage scale is really only needed at the top half (or so) of the first round, i.e., where all the ridiculous bonus money is being spent.

[barrett]

i'm all for the rookie wage scale.

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by barrett

i'm all for the rookie wage scale.

commie b*stard!

[76Texan]

-- More Delays Facing NFL Teams Trying to Sign Draft Picks --
Sun Jul 13, 2008 --from FFMastermind.com

The Sun Sentinel reports some draft pick signings could be delayed because of a grievance filed by the NFL Players' Association against the NFL Management Council based on some inconsistency in the Collective Bargaining Agreement language. That grievance will be heard by a Special Master next week.

[threetoedpete]

That my friends, is the first salvo.
the problem in all of this is: the interpretation of what an uncapped year would mean to these guys in terms of revenue loss in 2010. The market is what it will bare. You should realize that every time you pull up to a gas pump now. I'm wondering how messy this will be ? Smith has his work cut out for him.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

-- More Delays Facing NFL Teams Trying to Sign Draft Picks --
Sun Jul 13, 2008 --from FFMastermind.com

The Sun Sentinel reports some draft pick signings could be delayed because of a grievance filed by the NFL Players' Association against the NFL Management Council based on some inconsistency in the Collective Bargaining Agreement language. That grievance will be heard by a Special Master next week.

If I understand the controversy, with the loss of cap in 2010, there would essentially not be a problem with 3rd-7th rounders, but there could be with 2nd rounders, and most certainly 1st rounders. The problem will be to reach a long term agreement (5-6 years). With the "unknown" factor, 1st rounders may not be willing to extend their contracts into the uncapped year.

[PapaL]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

commie b*stard!

BlaHaHaHa

+1 Rep

[badboy]

IMO the union will not risk the wrath of veterans over the salaries of maybe 20 guys(if that) entering the league annually. Now is the time for the union to step up and say common sense should apply on rookies. This kind of reminds me in a way of the bidding war between the NFL and various upstart competitors. Teams and players need to reign this part of salary structure and get something sweet in return. Say an increase in retirment $ for present and past players?

[ChampionTexan]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

If I understand the controversy, with the loss of cap in 2010, there would essentially not be a problem with 3rd-7th rounders, but there could be with 2nd rounders, and most certainly 1st rounders. The problem will be to reach a long term agreement (5-6 years). With the "unknown" factor, 1st rounders may not be willing to extend their contracts into the uncapped year.

Anybody got a link to more detail about this? I haven't been able to find much more than the info. in this thread.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by ChampionTexan

Anybody got a link to more detail about this? I haven't been able to find much more than the info. in this thread.

Somewhat of an overview of the controversy......ProFootballTalk

Hope that helps.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

-- More Delays Facing NFL Teams Trying to Sign Draft Picks --
Sun Jul 13, 2008 --from FFMastermind.com

The Sun Sentinel reports some draft pick signings could be delayed because of a grievance filed by the NFL Players' Association against the NFL Management Council based on some inconsistency in the Collective Bargaining Agreement language. That grievance will be heard by a Special Master next week.

Special Master? Huh? do they meet in a dungeon in red hooded capes sacrificing babies?