Rookies still yet to sign

 Correction: Kelvin Smith was one of the first draft picks to be signed by the Miami Dolphins, C/G Drew Mormino is the 4th Rookie that has yet to sign.  I would add his picture, but frankly, I don’t want to.  Thanks to “DolfinD1” for notifying me of the error.  So while you read this, insert Mormino for Smith and Guard for LB….LOL

Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga said for the 2nd year in a row, that he will not tolerate rookie hold-outs. With the start of training camp set to begin on the 28th of July, 4 rookies have yet to ink deals.

13 days remain and only Greg Olsen the late 1st round selection of the Chicago Bears is signed from the round 1 rookie crop. This does not spell good news for the fan base that are still looking for any reason to complain about the Ginn pick, almost 3 months after the selection.

Ted Ginn is joined by 2nd round picks John Beck and Samson Satele, and 7th round pick Kelvin Smith a LB from Syracuse.

Of the above 4 only Satele is in line for an immediate starting job as he is working exclusively with the first team at Center. Ginn who will be primarily used as a punt returner and Beck who will ride the 3rd seat of the QB unit need to get into camp on time, but should they not be, they are not considered to be making huge impacts from the start, and in Ginns’ case, he will likely lose out on the chance to learn the offense. In the situation of Kelvin Smith, any time that would be missed could likely cost his an opportunity to compete for a job.

In terms of the NFL, 13 days is a long time when you are talking contract talks. It literally can be done in a day given the right line of communication. So there really is no sense of urgency. Still, the last two seasons have seen Ronnie Brown and Jason Allen miss considerable time during the heated and hated two-a-days.

The problem of course is draft slotting. Traditionally, a rookie will not sign until the person who was drafted in front of them, or the person drafted behind them are signed. Which of course using that specific line of thinking, a draft pick would never sign.

Other negotiations are over the length of the contract and under the new terms of last years CBA, rookies are holding off on signing longer contracts so that they can hit the free agent market sooner. Teams however have been trying to tag rookies with 5 year deals, a practice that is becoming more and more normal over the last few years.

The Dolphins however, face some issues and possible problems with their remaining unsigned picks. Consider that Samson Satele is a late 2nd round pick. Traditionally he would be slotted with late 2nd round money. This year could be different as Miami has already anointed the rookie as the starter at Center. Satele could ask for a higher slotting based on the fact that he will be starting.

Although Beck should not be much of a problem and should command high number 2 slotting, Ginn could be a problem.

Surely a number 9 overall PR would not equate to the number 9 overall slot for money. The Phins are going to be in position to pay Ginn the same amount of money that a CB, DT, or even a OT would receive at that slotting, although Ginn is going to be primarily a PR. In Ginns’ case, and this is not a knock on Ginn as he did not select himself, he will be overpaid, and perhaps grossly overpaid for what he does for this team because of where he is slotted at.

It would not be surprising to see the Dolphins try and get Ginn signed for less money than a number 9 pick would receive. However, the sliding scale works one way and that way is up. Rarely do we see a rookie drafted after someone else make more money in the initial contract. It is rare.

All in all the Dolphins will have an interesting 13 days as the coaches begin preparation for training camp. Randy Mueller will have his days filled with call to the agents.

Of course, everyone can win in this if all parties are satisfied with the results. In order for that to happen, the rooks need to be in camp, on time, and the Dolphins need to get to work and get the deals done.

The question is, will Wayne Huizenga be a happy camper, or will he stick to his word and punish the hold-out? In 13 days we will see.