spkb25

Reggie Bush contract talks update
By Jimmy Smith
Staff writer

JACKSON, MISS. - Now that both sides have had an opportunity to study the numbers in quarterback Vince Young's contract with the Tennessee Titans, and verified the veracity of earlier reports that Young will receive $25.740 million in guaranteed money, the Saints and tailback Reggie Bush could be nearing contract accord, possibly later Saturday.

According to a source familiar with the negotiations, Bush's agent Joel Segal and the Saints front office have seen the contract Young signed in Tennessee and eliminated doubts that Young's first-year agent, Major Adams, had somehow negotiated a bad deal.

''But it's as it has been stated,'' the source said. ''They're getting there (in the negotiations). It's a little better. That's what they were waiting for and now that they've seen it, they can go off the two contracts. Now they've just got to come in at the right number.''

The Houston Texans signed first draft pick Mario Williams, a defensive end, to a five-year, $54 million deal the night before the NFL draft, including $26.5 million in guaranteed money.

On Thursday, Young, the third player chosen overall, signed a five-year contract that could be worth $58 million, including his guaranteed cash.

That puts Bush, the second pick in the draft, between the $26.5 and $25.740 figures in terms of guaranteed cash.

It's likely he'll command something more than $26 million, but, because of the unwritten code of the slotting system, will have to settle for less than Williams' $26.5.

''I would hope that by Monday or Tuesday, Reggie would be there,'' the source said. ''The good news for Reggie is that Vince Young's contract is a good one. That's more important than anything. With the slotting system the way it is, you'd think this was now a no-brainer.''

Bush, who entered the second day of his holdout by missing both of Saturday's workouts at Millsaps College, remains in Los Angeles, working out daily and awaiting the outcome of the talks between Segal and Saints senior football administrator Russ Ball.

Segal did not return telephone calls Saturday.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis failed to respond to an e-mail request for comment.

Of the first seven picks in the 2006 draft, only Bush remains unsigned. In all, 10 of the 32 first round draft picks have not yet come to terms.


http://www.nola.com/saintsbeat/weblo...07.html#166610

Your team stinks

papz

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2533890

Good news... it appears he's going to sign very soon. It's always a good thing having all our guys in camp on time. If this gets done in the next couple of days, our front office did a good job.

spkb25

looks like it might be tonight or tomorrow morning according to len pasq. from espn

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2533890

TallySaint

Cool. Then we can talk a little defense.

AllSaints

Although considerable work remains on the deal, a source close to the negotiations between the New Orleans Saints and first-round draft choice Reggie Bush told ESPN.com on Saturday night that the two sides have made "significant progress" in bargaining.




Bush

The source said that an agreement in principle could be arrived at fairly quickly, perhaps by Saturday night or Sunday morning, provided the positive momentum created through the day continues.

The two sides were scheduled to continue negotiations by phone well into Saturday night.

"I wouldn't say [an agreement] is imminent," said the source, "but if things keep coming together the way they have today, something could happen sooner rather than later."

It is not known how much impetus was provided by the contract that former University of Texas quarterback Vince Young, the third overall selection in the draft, agreed to this week. Young received $25.74 million in guarantees from the Tennessee Titans, slightly less than the $26.5 million in bonuses that the Houston Texans awarded top overall pick Mario Williams.

Bush was the second player chosen and has missed the first two days of training camp practices.

Before the Thursday discussions, the two sides had discussed framework and concepts, and perhaps even floated some dollar figures. But clearly, the talks have been ramped up the last few days.

Compounding the negotiations for the Saints was the fact that Bush, who has embraced the hurricane-ravaged city of New Orleans and already made several sizeable donations to charities there, has banked $5 million-$7 million in various endorsement contracts negotiated by Mike Ornstein, his marketing agent.

That certainly alleviated the urgency for Bush to sign a contract quickly, since he already has considerable cash flow.

Bush said during the team's rookie minicamp in May that he wanted to be in camp on time and that he had instructed Segal to attempt to accomplish that goal. But only a few days later, Bush clarified his remarks, telling ESPN.com that any contract had to be a sound business decision.

Yeah this is VERY VERY VERY VERY good news !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope to wake up tom. and a deal will be done......

I just want a pass rush... Is that so hard to find.... Apparently....

spkb25

well it is allsaints!!!!