Posted: Monday, July 20, 2009, 3:22 PM | 19 comments |
 

Maclin's agent: Contract talks to intensify
options
 

Eagles rookie wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is the team's only unsigned draft pick with training camp less than a week away. But there isn't anything to worry about, at least according to Maclin's agent, Jim Steiner.

The Eagles and Steiner, who also represents former Eagles safety Brian Dawkins, had preliminary discussions last week and "negotiations should intensify in the middle to latter part of this week," Steiner said today.

Maclin, the No. 19 overall pick, isn't the only first round selection without a deal. In fact, only two No. 1 picks have been signed -- quarterbacks Matthew Stafford (Detroit) and Mark Sanchez (N.Y. Jets) -- as of this writing. The entire roster of second round picks hasn't been nailed down with deals either, although Eagles running back LeSean McCoy was inked to a contract last month.

Steiner, of the Creative Artists Agency, has been in negotiations with Eagles consultant Andrew Brandt.

"Realistically, we should be able to find some common ground to get Jeremy into camp on time," Steiner said. "I'm optimistic. I don't think Jeremy is worried and I don't think the Eagles are worried."

A message left with Brandt was not immediately returned. Steiner wouldn't comment on the particulars of the talks or how far apart both sides are at this point.

Rookies arrive for the opening of camp on Sunday. Maclin can't report until he has a contract. He was the third wideout taken in the draft, after the Oakland Raiders selected Darrius Heyward-Bey at No. 7 and the San Francisco 49ers took Michael Crabtree at No. 10.

The 6-foot, 198-pound receiver out of Missouri had a solid minicamp by most estimations, but still has a ways to go in learning the Eagles' west coast offense.

 
Posted by Jeff McLane @ 3:22 PM  Permalink | 19 comments
19
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:40 PM, 07/20/2009
    Get to camp! Holding out is such a whiney maneuver, and NOBODY ever has a strong rookie season when they do so.
    — ematusko
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:10 PM, 07/20/2009
    Mike Florio at profootballtalk pointes out that the negotiations are pretty simple for this deal. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/07/02/maclins-contract-has-little-wiggle-room/
    — mikeyhigs
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:23 PM, 07/20/2009
    We are becoming the 21st century version of the smurfs...how many titles did the skins win in the 80's/90's?...
    — Hammer859
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:27 PM, 07/20/2009
    donkeybong - great name. i agree that early expectations are high. the chances of him being as productive as desean out of the gate are low. but i think overall, he has just as high of an upside as DJ. i also think expectations for DJ are high this year. i can see him having a similar year as he did last year, which would be a disappointment to most as they assume he will have a much better year. only time will tell on both.
    — The Boston Strangler
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:42 PM, 07/20/2009
    Hammer, To answer your question--3.
    — p1stol
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:50 PM, 07/20/2009
    Skins won 3 Super Bowls between '83 and '92. So I say bring on the little guys.
    — phillychaos
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:53 PM, 07/20/2009
    Donkey - hit the B again, because he could be BETTER than DeSean. DeSean had really no "DeSean" last year, and Westbrook is healthy, Curtis is healthy, and our TE is healthy ,and our O line is way better and which will mean better time and stats for McNabb. With McCoy also a potential threat, look out.
    — seanjdonnelly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:55 PM, 07/20/2009
    and like the strangler said - great name.
    — seanjdonnelly
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:33 PM, 07/20/2009
    Maclin may have been the best WR in this years draft, they're trying to address a need, Calvin Johnson wasn't available....
    — Mayor.West
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:44 PM, 07/20/2009
    nega-delphia at it again. hello rocket scientists.pittsburgh has won 2 superbowls the last 4 years.their starting wide receivers are santonio holmes 5'11,189lbs.the other is hines ward 6'0, 200lbs.not bad for so-called smurfs huh? the smurf santonio holmes didn't look to bad making that superbowl winning catch did he.stop being so****ed negative. GO-EAGLES!
    — igglesfly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:05 PM, 07/20/2009
    some people are just never happy unless they have something to whine, cry, and moan about. The eagles could win the super bowl, 10-3, and they'd complain that mcnabb only led them to one touchdown
    — birdsfaninnc
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:55 PM, 07/20/2009
    oh yeah totally forgot football was almost here, Lurie has to hate that they are sliding a little bit into irrelevance until fall.
    — zonaindie2


19 comments | View All Comments | View All By Latest
View comments: 1  |  2
About Jeff McLane and Jonathan Tamari






Jeff McLane (left) began covering the Eagles in April 2009 after covering college sports and Penn State football in particular. Before that he wrote about high school sports and before that he worked in the mailroom (not quite). Find Jeff on Facebook and follow him on Twitter for instant updates on the Eagles.

Jonathan Tamari (right) began covering the Eagles in April 2010. He previously covered New Jersey state government and politics, reporting and writing about elections, policy debates and the many personalities that drive the Garden State, from three recent governors to the many musicians bidding to write the state song. He has been at the Inquirer since June 2008. Follow him on Twitter at @JonathanTamari.

Download our NEW iPhone app for even more Birds coverage, including app-exclusive videos and analysis. Get it here.

Advertise Here
Latest Eagles Videos