Agent: Timmons, Steelers not talking yet

[ChronoCross]

Agent: Timmons, Steelers not talking yet;



By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, June 7, 2007

The agent for Steelers first-round draft pick Lawrence Timmons said he hasn't opened contract negotiations with the Steelers and doesn't expect serious discussions to begin until next month. "We haven't started yet. My experience is that most negotiations in the first round typically don't kick in until after July 4," said Drew Rosenhaus, who also represents Chicago Bears first-round pick, tight end Greg Olsen. "Not to say we wouldn't start earlier, but, no, we haven't gotten involved yet with any discussions."
None of the 32 first-round draft picks has signed with their teams.
Asked if he wanted to wrap up a deal quickly, Rosenhaus replied, "I don't know that I'd characterize it as saying we have a desire to get it done quickly. The goal is to get a fair deal and to get it done before the start of training camp. "Usually, if you start in early July, you've got plenty of time to get that done. I think that's probably the best way to characterize it."


The Steelers open training camp July 23 at St. Vincent College. Timmons, a linebacker from Florida State, remains sidelined with a groin injury. He has missed nine consecutive voluntary organized team activity sessions and 13 consecutive team practices since suffering the injury May 11.



Scott Brown can be reached at sbrown@tribweb.com or 412-481-5432.

[Preacher]

Heck, even Rosenhaus said... We don't normally start until july, that gives us enough time to get it done before camp.

And if our 1st round pick seems to have a consistent problem with his groin muscle... Well, you can see less money as well.

[Galax Steeler]

I believe timmons will be signed at a reasonable price.

[flanman]

His price will be set by his slotting and the market. Once a few picks before and after him are signed his money should fall in place pretty easily. It is usually the top 5 picks that get nasty each year.

Flanman

[Elvis]

Thats true.. seems like we always have to wait til players around ours gets signed before we get anything done. I just wish we would be the 1st this time around and not waste anytime...

[Northside Jonny]

I think this timmons is gonna be trouble .

[SteelCityMan786]

Originally Posted by Preacher

Heck, even Rosenhaus said... We don't normally start until july, that gives us enough time to get it done before camp.

And if our 1st round pick seems to have a consistent problem with his groin muscle... Well, you can see less money as well.

That's for sure.

It takes longer for first round picks to get signed.

[The Duke]

Originally Posted by Northside Jonny

I think this timmons is gonna be trouble .

i hope not, besides his injury he seems like a great addition to the team.

[revefsreleets]

There is an easy fix for this, and one the NFL NEEDS to implement: They need an NBA pricing structure, where each draft position gets a standard contract that lasts for a set amount of time. These holdouts hurt everyone, and none of these players has proven anything other than that they can play well at a collegiate level. It's not fair that unproven rooks get paid more than seasoned and proven vets. The players are for it, because it will earmark more money for veteran players. These guys all waiting until camp to even begin serious negotiations is stupid.

[Jeremy]

Translation:

I'll hold this guy out as long as I want to. If the Steelers don't like it, they shouldn't have drafted him.