Posted: Sunday, July 26, 2009, 5:49 PM | 15 comments |
 

Reid: Maclin deal still not done
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- As of his 5 p.m. press conference, Andy Reid said that Jeremy Maclin had yet to be signed to a contract. Of course, that means the No. 1 draft pick of the Eagles has not yet reported for training camp here at Lehigh University. Players cannot practice until they are under contract.

"He hasn't signed yet," Reid said. "We'll see how things go through the day here. We feel close on a couple of areas. We need to get closer on a couple of other areas."

Maclin, the No. 19 overall pick out of Missouri, has until tomorrow morning before actual practices begin. A message left with Maclin's agent Jim Steiner was not immediately returned.

Reid obviously wants him in camp.

"I've said this the last ten years and I'll say it again," Reid said. "It's important for the rookies to be here. I think it's very important. Any day you miss puts you behind. I felt as we progressed in the minicamps that Jeremy was getting used to this offense. ... I still think he needs work from a team perspective."

As far as injuries go, Reid said that guard Stacy Andrews, who is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, "should be ready to go tomorrow." Andrews said earlier that he felt better than he had in minicamp, but that his right knee is still not 100 percent.

Guard Max Jean-Gilles (ankle) and wide receiver Kevin Curtis (sports hernia) are expected to practice, as well.

Running back Brian Westbrook is still nursing his right ankle after June surgery to repair bone spurs. Reid said that Westbrook could be back on the field by the middle of August. Westbrook is already at camp, but he will strictly work with trainer Rick Burkholder for the next few weeks.

"I think he has a chance to be back by mid-August," Reid said. "And then we'll just take it from there. You never know on these things."

There was one injury that occurred during the summer break. Victor Abiamiri strained a peck muscle lifting weights. Reid said that the oft-injured third year defensive end most likely also wouldn't be back until mid-August.

"He wants to be out here," Reid said. "The injuries frustrate him."

 
Posted by Jeff McLane @ 5:49 PM  Permalink | 15 comments
15
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:32 PM, 07/26/2009
    Maclin - get the deal done and get into camp. You could be this year's Desean Jackson. You can't possibly think you can understand this complex offense by missing time? The way we move the ball and score, you could be looking at ROY.
    — Big Voltron
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:16 PM, 07/26/2009
    Jackson signed his deal on July 20 last year, a week before camp opened. That is part of the reason Jackson had the year he did. Every one of these first rounders that miss time in camp have a crappy year. This guy is blowing a huge opportunity.
    — djack10
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:17 PM, 07/26/2009
    Maclin, a bit of advise. The Eagles don't do well with players who hold out, especially rookies. You're risking your season for nothing and the Eagles wouldn't think twice about doing that to you. They've got enough receivers without you. Draft players are slotted money so there's not much to haggle over. Get in camp and stop jerking us around.
    — regulus6633
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:04 PM, 07/26/2009
    This dude is being a bonehead.
    — thefeature
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:04 PM, 07/26/2009
    This dude is being a bonehead.
    — thefeature
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:18 AM, 07/27/2009
    Most likely his agent is being the bonehead. Supposedly the Eagles offered more money than last year's #17 guy got. Don't know how much more this guy or agent wants, but c'mon, you just set up your entire family for life.
    — verve
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:21 AM, 07/27/2009
    Mclin, this is Philadelphia and not the easy-going people of the Midwest. You play for a College team that was not all that. If you hold out and fail to succeed, the Fans will let you know it in more ways then one. They boo McNab, What do you think that they will do to you for non-performance. Again, this is not the laid-back Midwest.
    — jpelle36
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:20 AM, 07/27/2009
    Maclin, Philly is a blue collar town with most people making under 60 k a year. You will be set for your life with this contract, and the big money you will get when it expires. Sign the contract and play some ball.
    — FloridaBrian
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:15 AM, 07/27/2009
    just sign already
    — NBAdraftRoom.com
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:57 AM, 07/27/2009
    Maybe he doesn't want one of those rookie contracts that Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard later complained about. Just a thought.
    — Coach Cle
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:04 AM, 07/27/2009
    brown and sheppard signed deals after the rookie one was up. get your facts straight
    — azguz
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:33 AM, 07/27/2009
    Hopefully the next CBA has fixed salary structure for rookies. They take up too much money that should really go to the veterans. How about mandating an incentive laden contract where they get paid for actual perfomance rather than 'potential'? If you are that confident of your abilities, then opt for a short contract. We do not need a bunch of Tony Hunts in the NFL who think they are entitled to take the money and cruise.
    — cleansports
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:35 AM, 07/27/2009
    Mr. Maclin, do what you have to do. I'm sure you have heard all the front office horror stories from this organization in the past.
    — mlaw
  • Comment removed.


15 comments
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.

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