NFL.com: Bills To Begin TC w/o Whitner & McCargo

[LifetimeBillsFan]

According to a story on NFL.com that is also being reported on other websites the Bills are preparing to open training camp without Whitner and McCargo, although negotiations are on-going with both. McCargo's agent says they could be close to a deal and that McCargo is in Rochester, but no word on Whitner:

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=head2>"Bills without top two picks on eve of camp</TD><TD align=right><SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!--//var dclkFeaturesponsor='http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/sponsorships.nfl.com/fs/'+vTag+';'+vTarget+';'+uID+';sz=150x30;tile=5;ord='+random+'?';if (switchDclk != 'off') { if (location.search.substring(1).indexOf('DCLK')>-1) document.write('<input type="text" value="'+dclkFeaturesponsor+'" style="width:150px">
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD noWrap>NFL.com wire reports

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- T9574791 --><!-- Sesame Modified: 07/27/2006 22:11:09 --><!-- sversion: 2 &#036;Updated: alanh&#036; -->
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (July 27, 2006) -- The Buffalo Bills (http://www.nfl.com/teams/news/BUF) are prepared to open training camp minus their two first-round draft picks, Donte Whitner (http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/423565) and John McCargo (http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/426185).

General manager Marv Levy said that while negotiations continue, he didn't anticipate either player to be signed prior to the team's first practice in suburban Rochester on July 28.

"There's progress, but what does that mean?" Levy said. "We hope to get it done. Not just our people, but it perplexes me why all the early rounders wait so long to do it. If I was a player, I'd want to get it done."
(URL: http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/BUF/9574791 )

Levy sounds annoyed that negotiations have not gotten serious sooner. Jauron that the players are going to miss at least the first practice.

The story also mentions that Youboty got a 4 year deal.

[LifetimeBillsFan]

I was hoping that the Bills would get those deals done on Thursday and announce them at the press conference that BB.com said they were going to have, but I guess that didn't happen.

According to a story that appeared in the Rochester D & C on Thursday, the length of the contract could be an issue in the negotiations because there are new rules governing that in the new CBA. Also, at the time that the article was written, none of the DTs taken in the first round had been signed--and I believe that that is still the case"

"...Impacting negotiations throughout the league this year is a stipulation in the new collective bargaining agreement over contract term length. Picks 1-16 can be signed for up to six years while picks 17-32 can get no longer than five years.

Defensive tackle Broderick Bunkley, the 14th overall pick, is a holdout from Philadelphia Eagles' camp over a dispute over contract length, the Philadelphia Daily News reported. Baltimore's Haloti Ngata, who joined Bunkley and McCargo as the only defensive tackles taken in the round one, is also unsigned...."
(URL: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060727/SPORTS03/607270345/1007/SPORTS )

[Night Train]

How long now before people here start to turn on these 2 guys ?

[Tinboy]

Whitner, who missed some spring training better sign soon or he will have trouble being a starter.

I really hope these guys sing soon. And to answer your question Night Train at least for me I still like the signings and hope they will be good players.

[Jan Reimers]

I'm still optimistic that these guys will get their deals done shortly, and not miss too many days of camp. Whitner and McCargo seem like solid guys, and their agents don't seem to be total idiots, either.

[madness]

and their agents don't seem to be total idiots, either.


I'll give you a chance to take that back...

[don137]

I think the character of these players will help get the contract done sooner than later. If we drafted a talented head case like Bunkley I wouldn't be so optimistic

[jamze132]

In Whitner's case, I am sure he will crack and give into whatever the Bills are offereing. He knows he has a damn good shot to start in his rookie season and he needs to be in camp. He missed enough ofthe offseason workouts due to Ohio St. exam schedule! If he misses a week or so, he can rest assured that Bowen will be starting Week 1.

I am glad to hear that McCargo is in Rochester just waiting to get it done!

let's not throw these guys under the bus yet.

[HHURRICANE]

In Whitner's case, I am sure he will crack and give into whatever the Bills are offereing. He knows he has a damn good shot to start in his rookie season and he needs to be in camp. He missed enough ofthe offseason workouts due to Ohio St. exam schedule! If he misses a week or so, he can rest assured that Bowen will be starting Week 1.

I am glad to hear that McCargo is in Rochester just waiting to get it done!

let's not throw these guys under the bus yet.

Whitner should be in Rochester already!! Huff's deal is in place so Whitner's shouldn't be that confusing!