First-round picks sign and report, but no Reggie Bush
By BARRY WILNER, Associated Press Writer
Vince Young’s deal is done. So is Chad Greenway’s and Jay Cutler’s.
First-round draft picks are signing contracts and making their way to training facilities as the majority of NFL teams prepare to open camp. The one big name with no agreement: Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush.
Neither Saints general manager Mickey Loomis nor Bush’s agent, Joel Segal, would comment on negotiations Thursday, but Loomis said recently that negotiations with Bush are running a “normal” course.
Bush, the star running back and kick returner from Southern California, is looking for top pick money. Defensive end Mario Williams was the first overall choice in April and signed a six-year, $54 million contract with Houston, with $26.5 million guaranteed. On Thursday, third pick Young agreed to a five-year deal, with an option for a sixth, with $25.7 million guaranteed with Tennessee. It could have an overall value of $58 million with option and roster bonuses and salary.
Young led Texas to the national championship last season with a victory over Bush and USC in the Rose Bowl. Another Trojans running back, LenDale White, is now a teammate of Young’s.
White, like Bush and Young, came out of college after his junior season, but he slipped to the second round, 45th overall, because of a right hamstring injury and a perceived poor attitude and work ethic by some scouts. He is behind starter Chris Brown and veteran Travis Henry in the backfield.
Greenway, a linebacker out of Iowa, was the No. 17 pick overall. His contract could be worth up to $13.25 million with roster and performance bonuses.
The Vikings’ rookies begin workouts Friday.
Quarterback Jay Cutler, the 11th pick in the draft out of Vanderbilt, agreed to a package worth up to $48 million over six years. The deal was expected to be signed in time for the Broncos’ first workout Friday.
The Kansas City Chiefs agreed to terms with first-round draft pick Tamba Hali, a defensive end from Penn State and the 20th overall pick. Hali received a five-year contract.
Mathias Kiwanuka signed a five-year contract with the Giants that agent Tom Condon said could be worth up to $10 million if the Boston College defensive end hits all his incentives. Kiwanuka is guaranteed $5 million.
Late Thursday, Tampa Bay agreed to a deal with guard Davin Joseph of Oklahoma, its No. 1 pick and the 23rd overall selection.
The goal of the story comments section at NapaValleyRegister.com is to have an open, thought-provoking, civil community forum for all issues.
What gets your comment posted?
• Staying on topic
• Keeping your comment to 300 words or less
• Avoiding name-calling
• Addressing your comments to the message rather than the messenger
What gets your comment deleted?
• Personal attacks
• Derogatory remarks
• Name-calling of any sort
• Going off-topic
• Hate speech
• Racially-insensitive comments
• Implying guilt of a subject in a crime story before there is a court verdict
• Posting e-mail addresses
• Posting comments of a commercial nature
• POSTING WITH ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
• Linking multiple comments together with "to be continued..." to get around the 300 word limit.
The fine print
- Comments are either approved or denied. We do not edit comments.
- You are welcome to modify and resubmit a denied comment.
- Comments may take several hours to be posted.
- Comments posted are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of NapaValleyRegister.com, its employees or its parent company.
- Do you have information on a story? Please go to our
virtual newsroom to send us a news tip.
- If you feel a posted comment has violated our guidelines, please contact
online@napanews.com or add a comment indicating you have an issue and our moderators will review the comment in question.