Alrighty then...now that the introduction is over....

[USMC_GUNZ]

Why haven't we signed R. Brown yet....will it be ugly as some people predict or is it just a formality...waiting on #1? If he wants to be a "team" player...couldn't he just come to camp? I understand that he doesn't want to get hurt without getting paid...but maybe show up to learn the offense and get to know some of the team so that way when he does get signed he isn't way behind in the learning curve.

Am I way out in right field on this?

 

[LtDan]

Waiting for Alex Smith to sign first

 

[VanDolPhan]

Waiting for Alex Smith to sign first

That's a really overblown reason.

None of the 1st rounders are signed right now and it has more to do with the fact that teams can only assign signing bonuses over 5 years instead of 7 like they used to. It's creating a cap crunch and there isn't a sense of urgency like years past.

 

[Nublar7]

That's a really overblown reason.

None of the 1st rounders are signed right now and it has more to do with the fact that teams can only assign signing bonuses over 5 years instead of 7 like they used to. It's creating a cap crunch and there isn't a sense of urgency like years past.

Can you explain more about assigning the bonus only over 5 years? I have also heard this, but I was wondering does this prevent teams from signing their picks for over 5 years, or is it all just about the Signing Bonus? I mean, can Ronnie technically get a 6 or 7 year deal still?

 

[cnc66]

I do not beleive unsigned rookies are allowed to practice.

 

[VanDolPhan]

Can you explain more about assigning the bonus only over 5 years? I have also heard this, but I was wondering does this prevent teams from signing their picks for over 5 years, or is it all just about the Signing Bonus? I mean, can Ronnie technically get a 6 or 7 year deal still?

Yup he can still get a 6 year deal but the signing bonus can only be spread for 5.

 

[Roman529]

Football, unlike baseball, doesnt have gauranteed contracts so I totally understand why these guys often have to hold out or wait for their agent to negotiate the best deal possible....hopefully RB will ready by Game 1, but if not we have Gordan.,,,and hopefully Ricky by game 5...gotta be patient.

 

[CitizenSnips]

oh worst case scenario he misses a preseason game or two. Its really not a big deal.

 

[DBoston80]

Everyone should have the Chad Johnson attitude....say what you want about his antics..but the man is very dedicated to his team..

 

[BlitPhinFan]

Football, unlike baseball, doesnt have gauranteed contracts so I totally understand why these guys often have to hold out or wait for their agent to negotiate the best deal possible....hopefully RB will ready by Game 1, but if not we have Gordan.,,,and hopefully Ricky by game 5...gotta be patient.

I see alot of people on here make this mistake. Ricky will not be back in week 5. We have an early bye week this year again. Our bye is in week 4, so Ricky won't be eligible until week 6 if I am not mistaken. He should be available for the Oct. 16th game against Tampa.

http://www.nfl.com/teams/schedule/MIA

Edit: That is if he is even signed. There still remains the concerns over his contract at this point. Granted he is signed already, but I highly doubt he will remain a dolphin under his currently scheduled earnings, that's all.

 

[DolfanDaveInMI]

Can you explain more about assigning the bonus only over 5 years? I have also heard this, but I was wondering does this prevent teams from signing their picks for over 5 years, or is it all just about the Signing Bonus? I mean, can Ronnie technically get a 6 or 7 year deal still?

Assigning the bonus over 5 years is a byproduct of there being no CBA extension yet. The framework of the current CBA has been in place since 1993 and included several mechanisms to encourage both sides to extend the CBA well before its expiration. One of them was the shortening of the signing bonus proration. The main one is the uncapped year that will take place in 2007 unless a new deal is in place before then. If 2007 is an uncapped year, bet on an abbreviated or cancelled season in 2008.

 

[tucker]

how do people who hurt themselves such as kevin everett of buffalo work their contracts now since he blew out his knee in minacamp...he obviously wont get the same amount of money as he would have before would he?

 

[Jimmy James]

Will this 5 year limit on prorating signing bonuses preclude teams from creating complex contracts with roster bonuses or stages to push money back farther?

 

[inFINSible]

I see alot of people on here make this mistake. Ricky will not be back in week 5. We have an early bye week this year again. Our bye is in week 4, so Ricky won't be eligible until week 6 if I am not mistaken. He should be available for the Oct. 16th game against Tampa.

http://www.nfl.com/teams/schedule/MIA

Edit: That is if he is even signed. There still remains the concerns over his contract at this point. Granted he is signed already, but I highly doubt he will remain a dolphin under his currently scheduled earnings, that's all.

He didn't say week 5, he said game 5....

 

[Syra39]

Under the current terms of the CBA bonuses can be prorated for only 3 yrs beyond the last capped year (2006) This means teams can only use 2005-09 yrs for amortizing bonuses.

On the contract for Brown. Agents have a pretty close idea on what to ask for their player. Agents usually ask 8-10% extra more than the same position in last years draft (2004 #2, Robert Gallery). But the rookie pool goes up about 4 1/2%. Plus with the shorter amortized bonuses being spread over 5 yrs instead of 6, the contract will be a bigger cap hit.