The push by teams to get all of their draft choices signed on time may get a little bit of a delay. The NFLPA informed agents for the remaining unsigned draft choices to negotiate cautiously while the union tries to resolve a dispute affecting first- and second-round choices.
On Tuesday, the NFLPA filed a brief seeking a decision of a Special Master. Without getting too complicated, the dispute revolves around the interpretation guaranteed one-time bonuses and the way those guarantees are interpreted within the rookie pool.
Under the rookie pool, base salaries can only increase 25 percent per year, but agents found a loophole in which a draft choice can receive a one-time bonus and guarantee it in the final year of the contract. This particularly affects second-round choices because they sign four-year deals. The problem in this summer's negotiations is that there is no collective bargaining agreement in 2011 so the fourth year of the contract can't be involved in any kind of guarantees.
While it is possible to use the second year as a guarantee, agents don't consider that an option because few teams cut a first- or a second-rounder before that. The NFLPA and the Management Council will present their interpretations and await a decision by the Special Master next week.
The problem? Teams such as the Redskins report July 20, leaving little time to negotiate deals for top picks. The Redskins, for example, have three second-rounders who will be affected by the eventual ruling, and if the agents for those players wait for a ruling, the team will be scrambling to get deals done.
To date, three first-rounders and one second-rounder have signed contracts.
No quick fix: It's going to be extremely hard for the Steelers' ownership reorganization to be wrapped up in a month even though there is a good chance Pittsburgh billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller will buy into the franchise. Druckenmiller is the lone outside bidder so he holds the cards. Still, the problem is coming up with a resolution that keeps Dan Rooney and his son, Art, in control of the team. Druckenmiller, who is worth more than $3 billion, is trying to get a majority share of the team's stock, but he also wants the Rooneys to continue to run the team. Dan is trying to get one or two of his five brothers to stay with him in the football operation so that the ownership share exceeds 30 percent. August will likely be the earliest the sale will be figured out.
August availability: The announced retirements of Trent Dilfer and Kelly Holcomb leaves Daunte Culpepper and Byron Leftwich as the top two quarterbacks available. NFL teams aren't heading to camps with major injury concerns, so don't expect much action for Culpepper and Leftwich until August.
No movement: As an update, franchise players Albert Haynesworth of the Titans, Ken Hamlin of the Cowboys, Nnamdi Asomugha of the Raiders and Jordan Gross of the Panthers are no closer to a long-term deal than months ago. With July 15 being a deadline for franchise players getting long-term deals, figure most of will play at their tenders.
Both sides agree: The reason Plaxico Burress is optimistic about a new contract before the start of camp because the deal will be good for both sides. The Giants can extend his contract a year or two, potentially making him more committed to the team's offseason program. In return, Burress can collect a nice signing bonus and more money.
Wilson files grievance: Former Broncos middle linebacker Al Wilson has filed the paperwork for his injury grievance against the Broncos and should learn about a decision in about 45 days. Wilson is claiming the Broncos didn't provide him with written medical warnings he was playing with a bad neck injury. He continued playing and wasn't able to get a job after he was released by the Broncos last season.
John Clayton
