Bush wants #1 money - Page 3

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."

**DaKCMan AP** · 07-21-2006, 10:08 AM

He was not the #1 overall pick. He was the #2. Therefore, he should get a contract that is less than Mario Williams' deal.

He already has or soon will make more on endorsement deals than he will from this contract, anyway. He's just coming off as a crybaby.

I hope he gets in to camp so that they can haze the crap out of him.

ChiefsfaninPA · 07-21-2006, 10:14 AM

If he can get #1 pick money, more power to him. It is at least worth a try. At least in his situation if Houston wouldn't have made the move they made, which I think surprised a lot of people he definetely would've been a lock at #1.

ChiefsfaninPA · 07-21-2006, 10:15 AM

As far as arguing the merits of his pay based upon what he has yet to accomplish, I really can't do that either. The system is set up so that the players get there payday before they even play a down and prove their worth. Unfair, maybe. But that is the way it is.

**DaFace** · 07-21-2006, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

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.
...
"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."

I think it's important to note these statements. Bush appears to be in the right mindset. It's his agents that are causing all the fuss.

**DaKCMan AP** · 07-21-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

I think it's important to note these statements. Bush appears to be in the right mindset. It's his agents that are causing all the fuss.

Lets see him put his money where his mouth is, literally. He hired his agents to represent him and their actions are on his behalf. If his agents are causing a fuss, he's causing a fuss. They work for him, not the other way around.

KCTitus · 07-21-2006, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

I think it's important to note these statements. Bush appears to be in the right mindset. It's his agents that are causing all the fuss.

Uh, no...all first round picks state that they tell their agents to 'get a deal done' and 'get me into camp' so it means nothing about his mindset.

His mindset is to get paid.

**DaFace** · 07-21-2006, 10:31 AM

Eh, you could be right. I've really got no experience in that area, so I'll just concede.

Fish · 07-21-2006, 12:50 PM

Sports agents are ruining the league...........

htismaqe · 07-21-2006, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

...people are going to learn the hard way that Bush is not a top 5 pick....he just doesn't touch the ball enough on offense...I could understand if he had Vick speed and a Young arm...but he doesn't...he's a situational back and a receiver. He's not worht 60 mill over 5 years

Yep.

Eleazar · 07-21-2006, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Reggie Bush is 6'1 explain to me how he's Dante Hall on steroids? Unless steroids make you grow 5 inches.

Are you familiar with the colloquial term "on steroids"? It just means a more capable or higher powered version of the same. It does not literally mean that I think Reggie Bush is on steroids. Sheesh

Mecca · 07-21-2006, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

Are you familiar with the colloquial term "on steroids"? It just means a more capable or higher powered version of the same. It does not literally mean that I think Reggie Bush is on steroids. Sheesh

I just think it's funny how people act like a guy who was a dominant college player and made people look silly is being talked about like he's just a ho hum can't do anything player in the NFL.

This whole "he doesn't touch the ball enough" arguement is complete bullshit. USC used another RB because they had 2 top 5 RB's on the same team. It had nothing to do with Bush not being able to handle it, it had to do with using all their pieces.

**Smed1065** · 07-21-2006, 04:29 PM

I think all draft picks should be slotted and paid in that order. They have yet to prove anything in the NFL.

listopencil · 07-21-2006, 06:57 PM

They should trade him to DC for Portis and a draft pick.

jspchief · 07-21-2006, 07:44 PM

Here's a good place for this little blast from the past...

Saints' top pick Bush wants to avoid holdout

BWillie · 07-22-2006, 12:05 AM

Bush would be the #1 pick in 9 of the last 10 drafts. Give him #1 money, not as much as Mario Williams, but pretty damn close. Him and Vince Young still won't live up to the hype though.

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."
Posts: 95,626

07-21-2006, 10:08 AM	#31
DaKCMan AP Beloved & Awesome CP Celebrity Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Florida Casino cash: $6714952	He was not the #1 overall pick. He was the #2. Therefore, he should get a contract that is less than Mario Williams' deal. He already has or soon will make more on endorsement deals than he will from this contract, anyway. He's just coming off as a crybaby. I hope he gets in to camp so that they can haze the crap out of him. __________________
Posts: 35,696

07-21-2006, 10:14 AM	#32
ChiefsfaninPA "F_ck Family Fun Night" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: York, PA Casino cash: $10005025	If he can get #1 pick money, more power to him. It is at least worth a try. At least in his situation if Houston wouldn't have made the move they made, which I think surprised a lot of people he definetely would've been a lock at #1.
Posts: 2,373

07-21-2006, 10:15 AM	#33
ChiefsfaninPA "F_ck Family Fun Night" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: York, PA Casino cash: $10005025	As far as arguing the merits of his pay based upon what he has yet to accomplish, I really can't do that either. The system is set up so that the players get there payday before they even play a down and prove their worth. Unfair, maybe. But that is the way it is.
Posts: 2,373

07-21-2006, 10:31 AM	#37
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $1806899	Eh, you could be right. I've really got no experience in that area, so I'll just concede.
Posts: 51,935

07-21-2006, 12:50 PM	#38
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2058919	Sports agents are ruining the league........... __________________
Posts: 47,635

07-21-2006, 04:29 PM	#42
Smed1065 Supporter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Returning From Hell Casino cash: $7753673	I think all draft picks should be slotted and paid in that order. They have yet to prove anything in the NFL.
Posts: 9,861

07-21-2006, 06:57 PM	#43
listopencil Immanentize The Eschaton Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In Partibus Infidelium Casino cash: $2005880	They should trade him to DC for Portis and a draft pick. __________________ Good friends we have had, oh, good friends we've lost...along the way. In this great future, you can't forget your past. So dry your tears, I say.
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07-21-2006, 07:44 PM	#44
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	Here's a good place for this little blast from the past... Saints' top pick Bush wants to avoid holdout __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
Posts: 27,207

07-22-2006, 12:05 AM	#45
BWillie El Gato Gordo Loco Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Earth Casino cash: $2211241	Bush would be the #1 pick in 9 of the last 10 drafts. Give him #1 money, not as much as Mario Williams, but pretty damn close. Him and Vince Young still won't live up to the hype though. __________________ Who wants free money? Use the link below to sign up at Bovada, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker and Ignition. Contact me for private deals, spot bonuses, possible rakeback or any questions! Bovada, Ignition, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker: baldeaglepoker.com Bovada Poker is back! Get up to $500 poker deposit bonus.
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