Not long after the Giants made Will Allen their first-round draft pick, the cornerback out of Syracuse made a pledge: “I’m going to be in camp on time. Missing a day of camp is missing so much. I want to contribute this year, so I can’t afford to do that.”
These promises are usually well-intentioned but not always kept. No one expects Allen to have to back off that statement, but you never know.
With reporting day for training camp in Albany set for July 26, the Giants have plenty of time to secure contracts for their seven draft picks. Thus far, only one, fifth-round receiver Jonathan Carter, has been signed, although the club is also extremely close with Ross Kolodziej, a seventh-round defensive lineman out of Wisconsin.
Carter received the standard three-year deal for minimum salaries ($209,000, $298,000, $389,000) plus a bonus of $103,000. Kolodziej will receive the same three-year salaries and a bonus of about $30,000.
Last season, first-round pick Ron Dayne arrived on time, barely, but second-round pick Cornelius Griffin missed nearly the entire first week of camp.
A new wrinkle that has been around for only a few years can make some negotiations more difficult. There is a strong intent by teams to sign rookies to split contracts, which gives the team some insurance for season-ending injuries. Most rookies drafted in the lower rounds must sign these split contracts for at least their first season.
The split contract is, in reality, two separate contracts. A rookie signs for the minimum $209,000 for his rookie season, but if he gets hurt and is not placed on the 53-man active roster, his salary drops down to $125,000. The salary reduction also takes place if a player gets hurt during the season. Many agents are trying hard to avoid agreeing to these split contracts, but there is little leverage when negotiating deals for lower-round picks.
The Giants do not figure to have great difficulty getting Allen in the fold, as general manager Ernie Accorsi has a solid working relationship with Allen’s agent, Tom Condon. Professional respect goes a long way in ensuring that a deal gets done.
