Can we hurry up and sign our draft picks?

by rufio on Jul 22, 2009 3:47 PM EDT

The Plain Dealer reports that we are somewhat close to signing Mack, but not as close to signing Robiskie, Massaquoi, or Veikune.

What's the deal. Eric?!?

Rookies are supposed to report to camp on Friday the 24th, but it doesn't look like we'll be able to get all of these guys in by then. I personally would love to see all four of these rookies on the field early and often if they can digest the playbooks. Getting them in to camp will certainly help them adjust to the NFL game and can't hurt their chances of seeing the field.

Mack is talented and he is probably one of the 5 best OL we have.

Our WRs were really bad last year. Either one of those guys should be able to push Steptoe down the depth chart.

Our pass rush was pathetic last year, as were our linebackers. Veikune could help.

-But-

July 24th is the earliest reporting date in the entire NFL. Mangini/Kokutnus (sp) don't seem to have been working too diligently to bring these guys in on time considering contract proposals haven't even been exchanged with Robiskie and Massaquoi yet.

So let me ask you all:

Poll

Is it important for the rookies to report on time--a full week before the veterans?

Yes, we need to sign all of them

295 votes

Yes, we need to sign Mack

10 votes

Yes, we need to sign the recievers

18 votes

Yes, we need to sign Veikune

0 votes

No, it isn't a big deal. They don't need a full extra week.

32 votes

355 votes | Poll has closed

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this is my other post on this topic…chris, feel free to delete my fanpost:

In general, I’ve always been confused about the timing associated with having contract conversations with draft picks. What is the strategic value of holding off on talking to Mack, Robo and MoMass until now (July 22)? I guess each side can predict where the other side will start, based on previous positional and selection-spot comps, but doesn’t it behoove each side to at least initiate talks before the last week of the offseason? If you can’t come to terms, you can’t come to terms…but wouldn’t it at least be helpful to know the type of discussion you’re going to have prior to the 11th hour?

I understand that each side probably thinks a better deal gets done under the pressure of the looming open of camp, but that seems to me to be a pretty short-sided strategy.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jul 22, 2009 4:19 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks for you guys resolving which post to delete…I would’ve hated choosing one vs. the other since SB Nation doesn’t have a merge post feature.

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 22, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I can’t understand why they wouldn’t extend an offer very early. Makes no sense to me. I do feel like the rookie report date is pretty early, but why set it early if they won’t have anything to do between then and when the whole team shows up?

I definitely want the receivers in on time to work with the QBs, where chemistry is a big issue. Getting Mack in on time to develop chemistry with the other OL is important as well. I’m not sure Veikune’s chemistry is as important, but none of the guys he will need to work alongside will be there anyway. So what is there to do during the rookies-only portion? Go over portions of the playbook that are confusing?

Either way, why wait till now?

by rufio on Jul 23, 2009 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions

I think it has more to do with other team signings as a whole than the teams individually. For the most part teams would like to have the other picks around their players signed in order for the market value to be already apparent rather than be the ones to create the market themselves.

by The Licensed Pessimist on Jul 22, 2009 6:07 PM EDT reply actions

Count me in the I don’t care column until the full team shows up for TC

by Roger Dorn on Jul 22, 2009 6:59 PM EDT reply actions

Well i just dont want us to overpay.

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Jul 23, 2009 12:28 AM EDT reply actions

get em in camp

These guys are rookies, they need reps and time, reps and time. How else are they supposed to adjust to the NFL and be effective? I’ll never understand this stupid contract procrastination.

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by mackAttack5 on Jul 23, 2009 2:02 PM EDT reply actions

Every agent is trying to secure $20M guaranteed for every draftee. Every dollar paid comes out of an owner’s pocket. So, each year the agents and owners engage in this exercise in “brinksmanship”. The agents know the owners and coaches need to get the draftees into camp asap. The owners cannot afford to cave in to demands. The owners act in concert to create an orderly rookie market so that agents can’t run roughshod over the owners. If any owner signs a midlevel free agent for an exorbitant amount, agents will try to use that signing as a basis to get more money for their guys. So, while it looks like procrastination, it’s more like the dance of the scorpions.

by elsandito on Jul 23, 2009 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions

correction, not a midlevel free agent, but a midlevel draft pick

by elsandito on Jul 23, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions

The Plain Dealer is reporting that the Mack deal is almost done and should be signed and in camp Friday. He is already supposed to be on his way to Cleveland.

Now on to the WRs.

by Bernie19Kosar on Jul 24, 2009 1:44 AM EDT reply actions

Can’t wait to see Mack on the field. That kid has the kind of nastiness you just can’t teach. Hopefully he gets a good enough command of the playbook and defenses to let it show.

by rufio on Jul 24, 2009 3:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I heard on the NFL Network that he have signed Kaluka Maiava.

2009 Prediction: Att - Yds - TD
Jerome Harrison 95 - 532 - 8

by Simmsinns on Jul 24, 2009 11:21 PM EDT reply actions

I also have heard we landed on the moon. Where have you been?

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Jul 25, 2009 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions

The news that we signed Kaluka Maiava was reported on July 24th, at which point it was reported on NFL Network. Not long after, I posted the comment, on July 24th.

Then on July 25th you ask where I’ve been. It’s just not making sense why you would say that. I mean I’d understand if I posted this several days after the fact, but it was the same day. Hmmm… oh well.

2009 Prediction: Att - Yds - TD
Jerome Harrison 95 - 532 - 8

by Simmsinns on Jul 26, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

It was reported here on the 14th. Thats ten days

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Jul 26, 2009 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I missed that post.
Interesting though, I wonder why it took 10 days to hit the NFL Network, or even the Associated Press.

2009 Prediction: Att - Yds - TD
Jerome Harrison 95 - 532 - 8

by Simmsinns on Jul 26, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Well you can look it up here. Im not lyin

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Jul 26, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh I know, I believed you and checked the archive and saw the post with the OBR story. That’s why I thought it was interesting, but Chris is probably right about it.

2009 Prediction: Att - Yds - TD
Jerome Harrison 95 - 532 - 8

by Simmsinns on Jul 27, 2009 3:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I believe that while Maiava was probably 99.9% signed, the team decided not to officially confirm the signing until now. I’m sure there’s a silly reason why, but I haven’t really looked into it.

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 27, 2009 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions