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Dez Bryant deal expected to get done

Posted by Mike Florio on July 20, 2010 6:21 PM ET

On the surface, the ingredients have been placed into the pot for a protracted holdout by Cowboys first-round rookie Dez Bryant.

For starters, Bryant is represented by Eugene Parker. Over the past decade, Parker has represented 18 first-round picks. Only one of them signed his contract and reported for training camp on time.

Next, the Cowboys open camp before any other team, on July 24, given their involvement in the Hall of Fame game.

Then there's the fact that the Cowboys have been telling the world, Rex Ryan-on-Darrelle Revis-style, about the wonders of Dez Bryant. That kind of stuff serves only to make a guy want to be paid accordingly.

Finally, that thing that makes receivers the look-at-me lot they are could make Bryant want to get more money than the receiver taken two spots before him, Broncos receiver Demaryus Thomas.

But there's a sense in league circles -- as Adam Schefter discussed on ESPN's NFL Live today -- that a deal will get done sooner than later. The thinking is, as Schefter said and as we've separately heard, that the Cowboys and the player want to avoid a holdout. The agent also would benefit from having his name attached to a negotiation that goes a bit more smoothly than the Michael Crabtree clusterfudge from last year, especially since at the end of the day Crabtree gained nothing by sitting.

Schefter said the two sides plan to work late into the night on Friday to make it happen.

Now, if only the NFL and the union would demonstrate similar urgency.

UPDATE: In what could be a subtle case of ESPN-on-ESPN crime, John Clayton said during the 6:00 p.m. SportsCenter that Bryant "is probably gonna want top-ten numbers," despite being the 24th overall pick. If Bryant wants top-ten numbers from the 24th slot, the deal won't be getting done in the short term.
 
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Guaranteed money is key for Dez Bryant
July, 21, 2010 Jul 2111:01AM CTEmail Print Comments By Calvin Watkins

The Cowboys are talking with first-round pick Dez Bryant and hope to get him in on time. People inside and outside the organization think it's going to be a while to get this done.

We're not talking about a two week deal here, maybe Bryant is about three-to-four days late to training camp. That's not a big deal.

The hold up on Bryant's rookie contract is probably guaranteed money.

Here's what a few other wide receivers, drafted the last two season received in guaranteed money: Michael Crabtree, who didn't sign a contract with San Francisco until October, is getting $17 million in guaranteed money. Oakland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey will receive $23.5 million guaranteed. Percy Harvin of Minnesota will get $8.5 million guaranteed money. Off the field issues forced Harvin to drop in the draft so it's no telling what he would have gotten if he was selected a little higher.

It's doubtful Bryant will get close to what Crabtree and Heyward-Bey will receive in guaranteed money. I'm guessing close to $10 million, given what Harvin got last year and add inflation that sounds about right.

If the Cowboys and Bryant's agent, Eugene Parker can finalize this, expect the rookie from Oklahoma State to be in San Antonio soon.
 
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Cr122

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He'll get signed, being the bigger name he wants big money. We all know this.
 
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Just CHILL: Bryant's agent wants to lead not follow

While it remains a long shot that first round pick Dez Bryant will be under contract before the Cowboys start training camp on Saturday, his agent Eugene Parker is hopeful that he can get wide receiver on the practice field as soon as possible.

Parker said the two sides didn't begin negotiations until Monday because Cowboys vice-president Stephen Jones was out of country. But he said they have good history of working together and doesn't think they will have any problems working quickly.
"We are going to work to get it done as soon as possible," Parker said. "They want it done. We want it done."

Of course, that is easier said than done.
The challenges of the uncertain labor negotiations and the possibility of a lock out next year have impacted contract talks across the league. No other first round pick is under contract and just one of the top 64 has signed.

Bryant was picked No. 24 overall. The Cowboys generally like to let players around their pick get signed so they can have basis for negotiations. But with No. 23 and No. 25 unsigned, the Cowboys won't have any current deals to go on.

Parker, however, remains optimistic. He said it shouldn't take long after they can get to some agreement on how to structure it.

"We don't have to follow, we can lead," Parker said.

Last year's No. 24th pick, Peria Jerry of the Falcons, got $10.35 million over five years.

Read more: http://startelegramsports.typepad.c...t-wants-to-lead-not-follow.html#ixzz0uLeH8HFL
 
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