Watkins Snag: 4th-Year Guarantee
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Watkins Snag: 4th-Year Guarantee
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM -- Every year, before Lehigh starts, I tell myself not to get too caught up in what first-round picks say about not wanting to miss training camp.
But if ever somebody was emphatic about being here, it was this year's first-round pick, Danny Watkins, pegged as the Eagles' starting right guard. Watkins, who grew up in Canada pretty much ignorant of the ways of the NFL, didn't even know until a few weeks ago that he wasn't allowed to participate in training camp without a contract. He vowed this would not be a problem.
The Eagles, you might have heard, are hard-nosed negotiators. That's one reason they have the cap room and the overall cash to do some of the amazing things they've done this past week. And surprise, surprise, we've been at Lehigh since Wednesday, and Watkins isn't here yet.
Neither his agent group nor the team's front office is willing to comment publicly on the holdup. But you don't have to be a rocket surgeon (or a brain scientist) to figure it out.
Watkins was drafted 23rd overall. As of this writing, Nos. 21 and 22 have not signed, and neither has 24. More important, No. 20 -- Tampa DE Adrian Clayborn, the only draftee signed between slot 17 and slot 25 -- got all four years of his deal guaranteed. But the next guy signed, No. 25, Seattle OL James Carpenter, got only three of his four years guaranteed, according to Pro Football Talk.
Problem identified. (And subsequently confirmed by a team source.)
The Eagles apparently feel strongly that this should not be such a huge problem, that if Watkins is a good player, as everyone expects, the fourth year will take care of itself. Of course, if it isn't that big a deal, they could just give Watkins that fourth year right now. Watkins could get hurt before the fourth year, and end up not getting that money, unless it's guaranteed.
You can be sure Watkins's agent group, looking ahead to recruiting next year's college seniors, doesn't want not getting that fourth year used against them by their fellow agents. (A group whose pristine ethics and strong moral compass surely would guard against such dastardly behavior.)
And the league's oldest rookie sits at home, getting older.
Just to turn up the heat a notch, the Birds today signed former Bengals, Dolphins and Panthers guard Evan Mathis, 29, who has started 22 games in his pro career.
"I come from a scheme in Cincinnati where it was more bigger linemen, I didn't fit real well," said Mathis, whom the Eagles are listing at an extremely generous 6-5, 302. "To come here where athletic linemen are a little more respected, it's better for me."
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He should report to camp NOW. It does no good to create hard feelings and appear to be a malcontent in your first contract negotiations. I have already lost a ton of respect for the guy. In fact I am close to despising him for screwing up the team plan. Sorry Danny or whatever the heck your name is....— JimSeitz- What is so big about a 4th year? Watkins will be retired by then...— pflynn20
- There is no way the Birds should give in. this guy hasn't done anything yet! He can get 3 years of guaranteed millions, more than he willmake as a firefighter. If he gets hurt, or stinks, see ya! he he plays well, then he will get resigned at the proper time. You are 26 yrs. old already, get to camp! This is why the Eagles were able to do what they were this past week. They are tough, but very, very fair. These guys have morew than enough money. The fans need to stop being sheep. The money comes out of our pockets. Every year celebs and athletes(and bankers) salaries go up, while eveyrone else's goes down.— carlosbeltran
- WillieHorton has established himself as the stupidest poster ever to set foot on these boards. Even Jay Grace and 726 have figured it out already... at least read the new CBA before posting, kid.— goeagles87
- methinks koncussion has posted here many times before under different names spewing that racial nonsense;......football, more than any other sport checks your race at the door;....if you can play;...you'll play wether you are white, black or green or blue,....race has absolutely nothing to do with playing football,....idiot— SyddBarrett
- He won't sign until 21 and 22 sign and he gets something slightly below what they got.— mjposner
- If a player wants to be in camp, and wants the deal done, he tells his agent get it done and drop whatever the issue is. The agents works for their clients, and it's a little bit clever how the players have convinced fans that the player is a slave to his contract lawyer.
It's the other way around. If a player's not in camp, it's because he told his lawyer not to give in. Period. The player runs the show. But players are experts at acting like petulant infants, always blaming everyone else for their own decisions.— montgomeryhopkins - Doesn't the agent work for the player?— kimbo39
- Actually, firefighters have a sweetheart union deal and offensively large pension, you are over 400x more likely to die in a car accident driving to or from work than a policemen or firefighter dying in the line of duty. Don't let cops bully you.— brmorgen81
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