We're hearing through the grapevine that agent Joel Segal has promised running back Reggie Bush that Segal will drive a very hard bargain during contract negotiations with the New Orleans Saints. Given other realities of the process of negotiating first-round picks, this likely will translate into a training camp holdout.
Segal has a general reputation of refusing to work out first-round contracts until the players before and after his guys have signed. If Segall is true to form, then he won't finalize a contract with the Saints until the Titans sign quarterback Vince Young, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft.
Rookie contracts are subject to a slotting system, with the agent trying to get for the client a deal that falls somewhere between the package of the players taken one spot earlier and one spot later. Also relevant in this regard is the deal that the player received in the same draft position in the prior year.
The fact that the Titans are working out of the No. 3 spot adds an extra layer of intrigue this year. The consensus around the league is that receiver Braylon Edwards landed an excellent contract as the third overall choice in 2005. Thus, if the Titans are forced to work off of that deal, the chances of a sssslow negotiation with Young will increase.
And that, in turn, will sssslow down the Bush deal.
Further complicating matters in this regard is the continued presence of Steve McNair on the Tennessee roster. Until his $9 million salary is dumped, the Titans can do nothing with Young. Also, the fact that Young is represented by novice agent Major Adams could cause hiccups and delays in the discussions with the Titans, since Adams likely will be clearing every single move he makes with the NFL Players Association. ("After all the pee comes out, then what do I do?")
Meanwhile, Segal will wait.
Indeed, it's our understanding that Segal's general reluctance to do a deal absent the parameters of the contract behind him contributed, as a practical matter, to the Texans' decision to opt for defensive end Mario Williams over Bush. As we hear things, Segal dragged his feet just enough to give Houston an opportunity to explore the possibility of getting something worked out with Williams.
So now Segal's only move is to thump his chest for his client and claim that he'll get a deal at No. 2 close to what Williams got at No. 1. Even if he does, the reality is that Reggie will have a lot less money in his pockets after paying Louisiana state income tax.
Williams, in contrast, will pay zero dollars and zero cents over the life of his contract in Texas taxes.
The broader question, in our view, is whether Bush or someone close to him will connect the dots in this regard, and eventually lay blame at Segal's feet for not getting the contract hammered out at No. 1. Even though the Texans insist that the decision to pass on Reggie was driven by football considerations, it's our understanding that Bush would have been the guy if Segal had only been willing to pull the trigger.
Originally posted by I bleed Sooner red@May 3rd '06 @ 5:00 pm WHY DID THE TEXANS TAKE MARIO WILLIAMS?!?!?!*
Cuz Reggie Bush is hooked on himself, wants more money than he's worth at this point and is a threat of a hold out. Kid has his head up his own ***.
The kid aint played 1 down of NFL ball. Just because he was a great player in college dont mean **** now. There should be a rookie cap that nobody can make over a $20 mill with a rookie deal. So you can actually find out what youre paying for before you offer the huge deal he wants right now.
Mario Williams will be a good DE for them and he was willing to come to a deal that would make him rich and the 1st pick of the draft. Mario played Reggie's stupidity to his advantage. Mario played the game and won.
Originally posted by FreakBrook@May 3rd '06 @ 7:50 pm Cuz Reggie Bush is hooked on himself, wants more money than he's worth at this point and is a threat of a hold out. Kid has his head up his own ***.
The kid aint played 1 down of NFL ball. Just because he was a great player in college dont mean **** now. There should be a rookie cap that nobody can make over a $20 mill with a rookie deal. So you can actually find out what youre paying for before you offer the huge deal he wants right now.
Mario Williams will be a good DE for them and he was willing to come to a deal that would make him rich and the 1st pick of the draft. Mario played Reggie's stupidity to his advantage. Mario played the game and won.
Reggie Bush Planning a Hold Out?
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