Suh’s Agent Takes Stand in Talks With Lions: Suh’s Contract is Only Reference Point for Deal
NFL Countdown | by Mike O'Hara | 07.20.2010/9:35AM
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With the start of NFL training camps rapidly approaching and no first-round draft picks signed, the agent for Lions rookie Ndamukong Suh is using only one reference point in negotiations for his clent.
Suh’s value to the Lions is all that counts, agent Roosevelt Barnes insists.
That rules out using previous rookie contracts as a negotiating standard – including the six-year deal signed last year by quarterback Matthew Stafford, drafted first overall by the Lions. Stafford’s contract had $41.7 in guaranteed money, a rookie record.
Suh, a dominating defensive tackle from Nebraska and one of the most celebrated collegiate linemen in recent years, was drafted second overall by the Lions.
Suh’s presence on the defensive line is one reason for optimism about the Lions’ chances to improve their fortunes in 2010.
“I’m negotiating for Ndamukong Suh, and the player that he is and the person he is – on and off the field,” Barnes said.
“A player like Ndamukong Suh hasn’t come along in many years, so it’s hard to say anything about what has happened in the past and how much impact that would have as a reference point.”
Lions General Manager Martin Mayhew said last month that having Suh signed in time for training camp is “critically important.”
Players report to the Lions’ Allen Park training facility on July 30. The first practice is July 31. Unsigned players cannot report.
Barnes agrees with the urgency to have Suh signed, and Suh has said he wants to report on time.
“That’s exactly what our goal is,” Barnes said. “To get something done on time.”
Lions President Tom Lewand, the chief negotiator on player contracts, commented only generally on negotiations with Suh.
“We’re working to get a fair deal done for the player,” Lewand said Tuesday morning.
Barnes would not talk about specific terms, saying he has discussed “parameters” of any proposal. Barnes, a former Lions linebacker, is an associate of agent Eugene Parker.
Several factors have made the signing of draft picks considerably slower this year than in previous years.
No first-round picks were signed as of Tuesday morning. The Lions have two first-rounders. They drafted running back Jahvid Best of California 30th overall after acquiring the pick in a trade with Minnesota.
One factor is that Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, drafted first overall by the Rams, has not signed.
The top pick often sets the standard, but there are exceptions.
In 2008, the Dolphins signed offensive tackle Jake Long of Michigan a few days before officially making him the first player drafted. The Lions signed Stafford the day before last year’s draft.
Negotiations between the NFL owners and the players association on a new collective bargaining agreement also have made an impact. Many people are expecting a lockout by the owners next year.
There is increasing sentiment on the part of owners to get a rookie wage scale, similar to the one in place in pro basketball. Commissioner Roger Goodell has been outspoken in saying more money should go to veterans and less to rookies.
Different issues impact contract talks every year, and this year is no exception, Lewand said.
“The rules impact all of us – clubs and players alike,’ Lewand said. “Obviously, this year we adapted in free-agency.”
Barnes discounts Bradford’s unsigned status as a significant factor. In 2007, the Lions signed wide receiver Calvin Johnson, drafted second overall, early in camp while Russell remained unsigned.
“I don’t know what’s going on with the Bradford negotiations,” Barnes said. “The only thing I’m concerned about is getting a deal with the Detroit Lions that is commensurate with a player like Ndamukong and what he brings to their organization – on and off the field.”
Rookie contracts have escalated sharply in recent years, with the No. 1 pick setting the standard for guaranteed money in most cases. The guaranteed portion of the contract is usually the key issue.
There was an exception was 2008, when Atlanta gave quarterback Matt Ryan more guaranteed money than Long got as the top pick.
Here are relevant contract figures for the last three drafts:
2007: QB JaMarcus Russell, drafted first overall by the Raiders, got $32 million guaranteed for a six-year contract, but only after negotiations dragged out to the point where he missed the first regular-season game.
Russell was a bust and was released this spring. He is out of football.
2008: Jake Long got $30 million guaranteed on a five-year deal. Rysn, drafted third overall, got $34.75 million guaranteed on a six-year deal.
2009: Matthew Stafford got $41.7 million guaranteed on a six-year deal – almost a 30-percent increase over Russell’s deal two years earlier.
2010: It remains to be seen.
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