Wait and See With Signing Steelers' Timmons

By John Harris
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, July 16, 2007

Want to be the first to place your head on the chopping block?

Go right ahead.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus took the plunge once already. He probably won't be so quick to do it a second time.

Rosenhaus represents tight end Greg Olsen, the No. 31 overall draft pick, who became the first first-rounder to sign.

Olsen inked a five-year, $10.6 million contract with the Chicago Bears on July 3. The deal includes almost $4.9 million in bonuses and is about 10 percent higher than what last year's No. 31 pick received.

Rosenhaus' other first-round client, Florida State linebacker Lawrence Timmons, still hasn't signed with the Steelers, who open training camp July 23 at St. Vincent College. Rosenhaus told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review in May that "we have all the confidence" Timmons will be signed before camp starts.

Given the slow progress of negotiations for the other 31 first-rounders, Rosenhaus might not be so quick to get Timmons signed, despite the agent's bold guarantee.

Rosenhaus, who claims to have never had a first-round holdout, understands the importance of Timmons reporting on time.

Timmons is the inaugural first-round pick of new coach Mike Tomlin. He missed the majority of offseason workouts because of a groin injury. The last thing either side wants is for Timmons to report late because of his contract and have his development delayed any more.

Still, Rosenhaus' loyalty is with Timmons, not the Steelers. He owes it to Timmons to negotiate the very best contract.

One way for Rosenhaus, who repsesents more than 90 clients, to determine the true value of Timmons' contract is to allow a pattern of signings to develop before agreeing to a deal.

Instead of taking the lead as he did with the Olsen deal, Rosenhaus could simply wait for other players to sign.

For example, Rosenhaus might decide to wait for No. 14 selection Darrelle Revis of Pitt to sign with the New York Jets and/or No. 16 selection Justin Harrell to sign with Green Bay.

The process is known as slotting, and it would enable Rosenhaus to establish a market based on the players taken directly before and after Timmons.

Last year's No. 15 pick, Tye Hill (five years, $10.2 million including between $6-$7.7 million guaranteed), signed earlier than No. 14 pick Broderick Bunkley (six years, between $17.5-$25.1 million with $7.46 million guaranteed) and No. 16 pick Jason Allen (six years, between $24-$30 million with $7.8 million guaranteed).

Rosenhaus told the Tribune-Review last month that negotiations with the Steelers were progressing, although no contract offers had been exchanged.

In May, Rosenhaus predicted that negotiations for Timmons would heat up as training camp approaches.

Truth be told, the Steelers have Rosenhaus right where they want him.

Timmons' groin injury plus a holdout equals a wasted rookie season.

If Rosenhaus doesn't make good on his guarantee, guess whose side Steelers fans will come down on?

John Harris is a sports writer for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com