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Lobo-Fins
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Posted on Sat, Aug. 05, 2006
DOLPHINS
Strides made in Allen talks
Top pick Jason Allen is ready to accept a six-year deal with the Dolphins, his agent said, if the money `makes sense.'
BY ARMANDO SALGUERO
asalguero@MiamiHerald.com
A major obstacle in the negotiations between the Dolphins and first-round pick Jason Allen has been overcome, but the sides continue to disagree over the total worth of a deal.
Allen is one of only three first-round picks still unsigned, and the reason, not surprisingly, is money. That's because the safety apparently is ready to accept a six-year deal if it includes the right financial package.
But the Dolphins and Allen's agent disagree on what the right package is.
''We've discussed both a five-year and six-year contract, and we would be willing to do a six-year contract as long as it makes sense for Jason,'' agent Mitch Frankel said. ``We're willing to explore any number of years. The holdup is not the length of the contract; we got past that a few days ago.
``We just haven't been able to agree on the overall terms.''
Although Dolphins coach Nick Saban said this week his team would not be influenced by the deals other teams are signing with their draft picks, Frankel said he hopes the talks could be positively affected by Friday's signing of Brodrick Bunkley with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Bunkley, the 14th overall pick, signed a six-year deal reportedly worth $17.5 million with $9.775 million in guaranteed money.
Those talks were stalled over whether the defensive tackle would sign for five or six years. The sides got past that by giving Bunkley escalator clauses in the final year that could increase his final-year salary to between $3 million and possibly as high as the franchise number for defensive tackles that year based on his performance and playing time.
Frankel said his conversations with the Dolphins continue, ''not every day but we talk often.'' And he understands the importance of getting Allen, who has missed seven days and 11 practices, on the field.
Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga, who in March stated that his priority was to get the first-round pick signed before training camp, declined to comment on Allen's holdout.
Huizenga was at the training facility watching practice and meeting with team officials.
Unless Allen signs before Monday, it is unlikely he would play in the Aug. 12 preseason opener against Jacksonville at Dolphin Stadium.
''Both we and Jason want to get this done and have him in camp,'' Frankel said. ``But we have a responsibility to get him a fair contract. We're going to keep working in good faith to get a reasonable contract that I can recommend to Jason.''
Meanwhile, Frankel said, Allen has been working out ''hard'' in Atlanta, waiting for the chance to finally join his team.
And how long is he willing to wait?
''As long as it takes,'' Frankel said. ``Jason understands the situation
Posted on Sat, Aug. 05, 2006
DOLPHINS
Strides made in Allen talks
Top pick Jason Allen is ready to accept a six-year deal with the Dolphins, his agent said, if the money `makes sense.'
BY ARMANDO SALGUERO
asalguero@MiamiHerald.com
A major obstacle in the negotiations between the Dolphins and first-round pick Jason Allen has been overcome, but the sides continue to disagree over the total worth of a deal.
Allen is one of only three first-round picks still unsigned, and the reason, not surprisingly, is money. That's because the safety apparently is ready to accept a six-year deal if it includes the right financial package.
But the Dolphins and Allen's agent disagree on what the right package is.
''We've discussed both a five-year and six-year contract, and we would be willing to do a six-year contract as long as it makes sense for Jason,'' agent Mitch Frankel said. ``We're willing to explore any number of years. The holdup is not the length of the contract; we got past that a few days ago.
``We just haven't been able to agree on the overall terms.''
Although Dolphins coach Nick Saban said this week his team would not be influenced by the deals other teams are signing with their draft picks, Frankel said he hopes the talks could be positively affected by Friday's signing of Brodrick Bunkley with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Bunkley, the 14th overall pick, signed a six-year deal reportedly worth $17.5 million with $9.775 million in guaranteed money.
Those talks were stalled over whether the defensive tackle would sign for five or six years. The sides got past that by giving Bunkley escalator clauses in the final year that could increase his final-year salary to between $3 million and possibly as high as the franchise number for defensive tackles that year based on his performance and playing time.
Frankel said his conversations with the Dolphins continue, ''not every day but we talk often.'' And he understands the importance of getting Allen, who has missed seven days and 11 practices, on the field.
Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga, who in March stated that his priority was to get the first-round pick signed before training camp, declined to comment on Allen's holdout.
Huizenga was at the training facility watching practice and meeting with team officials.
Unless Allen signs before Monday, it is unlikely he would play in the Aug. 12 preseason opener against Jacksonville at Dolphin Stadium.
''Both we and Jason want to get this done and have him in camp,'' Frankel said. ``But we have a responsibility to get him a fair contract. We're going to keep working in good faith to get a reasonable contract that I can recommend to Jason.''
Meanwhile, Frankel said, Allen has been working out ''hard'' in Atlanta, waiting for the chance to finally join his team.
And how long is he willing to wait?
''As long as it takes,'' Frankel said. ``Jason understands the situation
