NY Jets talks with DT Robertson stalling;he could be training camp holdout.......

[TC4]

Gotta love this news with the Jets 1st up on the regular season plate on Sept. 4th

http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1057901445219160.xml

Jets: Talks stalling with Robertson

Friday, July 11, 2003

BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

Negotiations between the Jets and the agent for first-round pick Dewayne Robertson continue to move at a snail's pace, and there is a chance the defensive tackle could be a training camp holdout, according to a person close to Robertson.

Although discussions have been amicable, the two sides are believed to be far apart and time is running short. Because of their trip to Tokyo, Japan, to play Tampa Bay on Aug. 2 in the American Bowl, the Jets report to training camp July 20, approximately a week before most NFL teams.

The Jets are apparently waiting for the market to be set so Robertson, drafted fourth overall, can be paid according to the players selected around him. The club is keeping an eye on talks between Dallas and cornerback Terence Newman, taken fifth, and Houston and wide receiver Andre Johnson, selected third. Both teams are scheduled to report to camp July 25.

With the exception of No. 1 pick Carson Palmer, none of the Top 10 picks has signed yet.

Getting Robertson to camp on time has taken on greater importance because of the drug suspension of starting defensive tackle Josh Evans, who is expected to miss at least half the season. With Evans out, Robertson is slated to start alongside veteran Jason Ferguson. Missing a week of training camp, and the first preseason game in Japan, could be a major setback for Robertson.

The Jets have talked to the agent for veteran defensive tackle Bernard Whittington and may sign him as a replacement for Evans.

"It (the pace of the negotiations) is pretty typical," Jets general manager Terry Bradway said yesterday. "No first-rounders (except Palmer) and no second-rounders have signed yet. It's a process. It takes time. Everybody is working towards it. Talks are ongoing. That's all I'll say."

Robertson's agent, Hadley Engelhard, hasn't returned several calls.

Once talks heat up, negotiations could be difficult because Robertson has some leverage in the wake of Evans' suspension. Robertson's camp is said to want a deal similar to that of last year's fourth overall pick, Buffalo offensive tackle Mike Williams, who signed a six-year, $44 million contract that included a $7.3 million signing bonus and $4.5 million in option bonuses.

The deal was a bonanza for Williams, and many league insiders felt Buffalo overpaid. It is believed the Jets also feel Williams' contract was out of line, and the two sides may clash on that issue, with Robertson refusing to take less than Williams.

:jetssuck:

[AJWatson3]

it's kind of funny, but the only top draft pick that has signed is the only one not expected to contribute any time soon...

all the other guys will take on important roles for their teams this season...

[Posse81]

In related news, the Redskins used thier first round pick on WR Laverneus Coles, who agreed to a contract months ago.

[scskin]

I want him signed, in camp, and coaches raving about him being the best DT in the history of the game! That way they'll have no excuse when we wax that arse.

[bulldog]

let's face it, the Jets have had a rotten offseason in terms of things going their way. if they overcome all to win their division again it will be a memorable accomplishment

[jbooma]

:jetssuck: :jetssuck:

[Skins26]

If he holds out for a while then its like we got Coles and gave them nothing. We ended up taking who we were gonna take in the 1st anyways. And they didnt even get anything for the pick we gave them. MUHAHAHAHHHAA