Bush wants #1 money - Page 2

Mr. Laz · 07-20-2006, 05:30 PM

July 20, 2006

Bush could be late for Saints camp

Agent says unsigned Heisman Trophy winner needs to be treated like No. 1 pick

By Michael Wallace

How soon New Orleans Saints top draft pick Reggie Bush reports to Jackson for training camp may depend on how quickly team officials follow through on a draft night pledge, a Bush representative said.

Mike Ornstein, Bush's marketing agent, said Wednesday that Saints owner Tom Benson and general manager Mickey Loomis told Bush that he would be treated during contract negotiations as if he were the first overall pick in the April NFL draft.

The Saints used the No. 2 pick on Bush, the Heisman Trophy winning running back out of Southern Cal, after Houston surprisingly chose defensive end Mario Williams with the top pick.

Ornstein told The Clarion-Ledger on Wednesday that it's likely Bush and the Saints won't reach a deal on a contract before training camp opens July 28 at Millsaps College.

"Do we feel like he'll be there at the start?" Ornstein said in a telephone interview from his California office. "I'm not sure where we are right now. I'd say probably not, at this stage. ... We're not trying to be the bad guys. We want the Saints to live up to what they told Reggie at the draft."

Apparently at issue is whether the Saints will offer Bush, who was widely rated the top player in the draft, a more lucrative deal than Houston gave Williams.

Williams a former North Carolina State pass rusher, has reportedly agreed to a six-year contract with Texas worth $54 million, with $26.5 million in guaranteed pay.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, through a team spokesman, declined an interview request Wednesday.

Bush said during the Saints' rookie mini-camp in May that he instructed his team of agents to do "whatever it takes" to make sure a deal was reached that would allow him to report to camp on time.

Ornstein is one of at least two representatives that handle Bush's professional matters. Ornstein said he primarily negotiates the player's endorsement deals. Joel Segal, who will negotiate Bush's NFL contract, said he will not comment on where discussions stood with the Saints.

"I don't want to get caught up in holdouts and things like that," Bush said in May after his first offseason workout with the team. "I think it's important to start off on a good foot and a good note ... not only with the team, but with the city."

The Saints have signed three of their eight 2006 draft picks in the past 10 days. But the team's top four picks remain unsigned a week before players report, which is not uncommon among NFL teams. Many deals, especially ones involving higher-round picks, get done weeks into training camp.

Ornstein's comments Wednesday came a day after the agent for quarterback Vince Young, chosen No. 3 overall by Tennessee, said he was heading to Nashville to get a deal done in time for Young to open camp with the Titans next week.

Ornstein said Bush is in Los Angeles, where he shot a commercial for Pepsi on Tuesday and has been working out at USC's campus.

Bush has already signed endorsement deals with Adidas, Subway restaurants and Hummer.

And he has already established deep ties to New Orleans, where he has purchased a downtown condo and has donated thousands of dollars to local charities through his endorsement companies.

Segal, who also represents Michael Vick, has made high-end deals since 1999, when he landed ex-Packers star Antonio Freeman what was then the biggest signing bonus ever paid to an NFL receiver.

"We're confident the Saints will live up to what they stated at the beginning, that Reggie would be treated like the top pick," Ornstein said. "He's been at every camp, at every workout, out in the community. The Saints sold 15,000 season tickets the week after he was drafted. His impact has been huge."

Mr. Laz · 07-20-2006, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

That's absurd.

He deserves it if he can get it. .

and spraying offensive lineman's jerseys with Pam is ok as long as you don't get
caught, donkboy.

hawkchief · 07-20-2006, 08:37 PM

Didn't Bush make enough from USC to accept #2 money?

Garcia Bronco · 07-20-2006, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSPimpDude

Whaaaaaaaaaaat?

You must have caught the 50 part series on Espin on why USC is the greatest team ever.

He's not going to be playing against PAC-10 freshman and juniors and such....plus he'll be playing for a team with the less than average coaching....bustola....him and Mike Williams

Mecca · 07-20-2006, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

You must have caught the 50 part series on Espin on why USC is the greatest team ever.

He's not going to be playing against PAC-10 freshman and juniors and such....plus he'll be playing for a team with the less than average coaching....bustola....him and Mike Williams

Mike Williams looks like shit because he's on a bad team and he isn't a prototypical WR he's big and slowish everyone knew that when he came out. It takes creative ways to make him productive he has skills but they aren't general WR skills.

Reggie Bush on the other hand is an all world talent, he has track speed and WR hands. This idea of he can't play everydown is really stupid too, the guy is no smaller than Marshall Faulk. He didn't take every carry at USC because see USC has other guys that are really good too so they can keep people fresh.

Eleazar · 07-20-2006, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

You must have caught the 50 part series on Espin on why USC is the greatest team ever.

He's not going to be playing against PAC-10 freshman and juniors and such....plus he'll be playing for a team with the less than average coaching....bustola....him and Mike Williams

Put me in the bust camp too. He's not a running back who is going to carry a full load in the NFL. He's not an NFL wide receiver. He's Dante Hall on steroids.

What will be really funny is in a couple years when Bush hasn't taken them to the next level, McAllister is gone because they couldn't tie up billions on their backfield alone, the team is still locked in the depths of the NFL, finger-pointing is rampant, but ESPN is still pimping him as the greatest player ever, except maybe Michael Vick, when everyone knows better.

Some players put up numbers in college, some do it on great teams and look great in the process, but the NFL has a pretty clearly defined role for a halfback and he doesn't fit it.

**alanm** · 07-20-2006, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawkchief

Didn't Bush make enough from USC to accept #2 money?

Mecca · 07-20-2006, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

Put me in the bust camp too. He's not a running back who is going to carry a full load in the NFL. He's not an NFL wide receiver. He's Dante Hall on steroids.

What will be really funny is in a couple years when Bush hasn't taken them to the next level, McAllister is gone because they couldn't tie up billions on their backfield alone, the team is still locked in the depths of the NFL, finger-pointing is rampant, but ESPN is still pimping him as the greatest player ever, except maybe Michael Vick, when everyone knows better.

Some players put up numbers in college, some do it on great teams and look great in the process, but the NFL has a pretty clearly defined role for a halfback and he doesn't fit it.

Explain Marshall Faulk to me real quick then because he isn't any bigger than Reggie Bush is and did all of the same things in college.......People just see Bush run like he does and think oh well he can't be a RB. Tomlinson isn't much bigger than Bush is either......Reggie Bush is 6'1 explain to me how he's Dante Hall on steroids? Unless steroids make you grow 5 inches.

Should you run Reggie Bush up the gut 30 times? No. But using Bush properly he can give you 25 touches rushing and recieving and put up some big plays he has a very unique skill set, alot of people aren't use to it so my god he must suck and be a bust.

**alanm** · 07-20-2006, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Explain Marshall Faulk to me real quick then because he isn't any bigger than Reggie Bush is and did all of the same things in college.......People just see Bush run like he does and think oh well he can't be a RB. Tomlinson isn't much bigger than Bush is either......Reggie Bush is 6'1 explain to me how he's Dante Hall on steroids? Unless steroids make you grow 5 inches.

Should you run Reggie Bush up the gut 30 times? No. But using Bush properly he can give you 25 touches rushing and recieving and put up some big plays he has a very unique skill set, alot of people aren't use to it so my god he must suck and be a bust.

He's decent enough I guess but he better learn how to block and tackle if he wants about $26 mil in gauranteed money like Williams.

Miles · 07-20-2006, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spicy McHaggis

Didn't Winslow pull this shit a couple years back? Claimed he was promised by teams that he would have been gone before the Browns picked and thus should be paid as such?

Stuff like this makes me respect Brian Waters for going against the bullshit agent stuff and getting his contract done himself.

Yep, it was a classic Postons negotiation tactic.

**Rain Man** · 07-20-2006, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

He deserves #1 money too. At least as much as any of these guys "deserve" this kind of money for playing a game. It's not his fault the Texans are idiots. Can anyone say Tony Mandrich?

So you're saying that Mandarich deserves #1 money?

**Bowser** · 07-20-2006, 10:43 PM

He hasn't done shit in the pros, yet wants to be paid like he's one of the top five backs in the league?

I would enjoy telling him and his agent to go eat a dick.

Mecca · 07-20-2006, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

He hasn't done shit in the pros, yet wants to be paid like he's one of the top five backs in the league?

I would enjoy telling him and his agent to go eat a dick.

That tends to happen when you are a top 2 pick.........I'd hope you were never a GM for a team with a high draft pick.

**Bowser** · 07-20-2006, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

That tends to happen when you are a top 2 pick.........I'd hope you were never a GM for a team with a high draft pick.

I don't get it.

Bush & Agent: Well, everybody thought we were supposed to be the top pick. You can't argue logic like that. 25 mil signing bonus, no less.

GM: YOU BETCHA!! UUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHH............

Am I missing something? The guy was picked #2, therefore he gets a contract suitable to the second pick, NOT the top pick. Right?

Chiefnj · 07-21-2006, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

I don't get it.

Bush & Agent: Well, everybody thought we were supposed to be the top pick. You can't argue logic like that. 25 mil signing bonus, no less.

GM: YOU BETCHA!! UUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHH............

Am I missing something? The guy was picked #2, therefore he gets a contract suitable to the second pick, NOT the top pick. Right?

According to Bush's agent the team told him they would pay him like a #1 pick. It's a little different than the Postons who took the position that some teams had Kellen rated as the #1 pick, thus he deserved #1 money. The Browns never promised Kellen to compensate him like the #1 pick, but apparently the Saints may have made that promise to Bush.

Can you imagine Carl ever saying something like that? Carl wouldn't even say it to the real #1 pick.

StcChief · 07-21-2006, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj

According to Bush's agent the team told him they would pay him like a #1 pick. It's a little different than the Postons who took the position that some teams had Kellen rated as the #1 pick, thus he deserved #1 money. The Browns never promised Kellen to compensate him like the #1 pick, but apparently the Saints may have made that promise to Bush.

Can you imagine Carl ever saying something like that? Carl wouldn't even say it to the real #1 pick.

Can NO support outlays of $$$ like a #1 pick can get....

NO ---->>> LA Saints

07-20-2006, 05:30 PM
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	Bush wants #1 money July 20, 2006 Bush could be late for Saints camp Agent says unsigned Heisman Trophy winner needs to be treated like No. 1 pick By Michael Wallace How soon New Orleans Saints top draft pick Reggie Bush reports to Jackson for training camp may depend on how quickly team officials follow through on a draft night pledge, a Bush representative said. Mike Ornstein, Bush's marketing agent, said Wednesday that Saints owner Tom Benson and general manager Mickey Loomis told Bush that he would be treated during contract negotiations as if he were the first overall pick in the April NFL draft. The Saints used the No. 2 pick on Bush, the Heisman Trophy winning running back out of Southern Cal, after Houston surprisingly chose defensive end Mario Williams with the top pick. Ornstein told The Clarion-Ledger on Wednesday that it's likely Bush and the Saints won't reach a deal on a contract before training camp opens July 28 at Millsaps College. "Do we feel like he'll be there at the start?" Ornstein said in a telephone interview from his California office. "I'm not sure where we are right now. I'd say probably not, at this stage. ... We're not trying to be the bad guys. We want the Saints to live up to what they told Reggie at the draft." Apparently at issue is whether the Saints will offer Bush, who was widely rated the top player in the draft, a more lucrative deal than Houston gave Williams. Williams a former North Carolina State pass rusher, has reportedly agreed to a six-year contract with Texas worth $54 million, with $26.5 million in guaranteed pay. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, through a team spokesman, declined an interview request Wednesday. Bush said during the Saints' rookie mini-camp in May that he instructed his team of agents to do "whatever it takes" to make sure a deal was reached that would allow him to report to camp on time. Ornstein is one of at least two representatives that handle Bush's professional matters. Ornstein said he primarily negotiates the player's endorsement deals. Joel Segal, who will negotiate Bush's NFL contract, said he will not comment on where discussions stood with the Saints. "I don't want to get caught up in holdouts and things like that," Bush said in May after his first offseason workout with the team. "I think it's important to start off on a good foot and a good note ... not only with the team, but with the city." The Saints have signed three of their eight 2006 draft picks in the past 10 days. But the team's top four picks remain unsigned a week before players report, which is not uncommon among NFL teams. Many deals, especially ones involving higher-round picks, get done weeks into training camp. Ornstein's comments Wednesday came a day after the agent for quarterback Vince Young, chosen No. 3 overall by Tennessee, said he was heading to Nashville to get a deal done in time for Young to open camp with the Titans next week. Ornstein said Bush is in Los Angeles, where he shot a commercial for Pepsi on Tuesday and has been working out at USC's campus. Bush has already signed endorsement deals with Adidas, Subway restaurants and Hummer. And he has already established deep ties to New Orleans, where he has purchased a downtown condo and has donated thousands of dollars to local charities through his endorsement companies. Segal, who also represents Michael Vick, has made high-end deals since 1999, when he landed ex-Packers star Antonio Freeman what was then the biggest signing bonus ever paid to an NFL receiver. "We're confident the Saints will live up to what they stated at the beginning, that Reggie would be treated like the top pick," Ornstein said. "He's been at every camp, at every workout, out in the community. The Saints sold 15,000 season tickets the week after he was drafted. His impact has been huge."
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07-20-2006, 08:37 PM	#17
hawkchief Veteran Join Date: Oct 2005 Casino cash: $2938600	Didn't Bush make enough from USC to accept #2 money?
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07-20-2006, 10:43 PM	#26
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3421616	He hasn't done shit in the pros, yet wants to be paid like he's one of the top five backs in the league? I would enjoy telling him and his agent to go eat a dick.
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