I get that first-rounders, particularly those taken in the top 15 picks, would threaten to hold out if it meant more leverage during contract negotiations. In recent years, however, both players and organizations have made efforts to get deals done before training camp because holdouts, in the long run, don't benefit anybody. Rookies, already playing catch-up in a new system with new players, can least afford to miss practice. And the teams, who invest a lot of coin in developing players, often don't see a return in the first year. JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn might be farther along if not for protracted training camp holdouts. On the other hand, the 2008 first-overall pick, Jake Long, was signed prior to the draft, started every game and had a productive rookie season.
Ludwig doesn't offer much in the way of details, but Smith, taken No. 6 overall, had a tumultuous offseason leading up to the draft. He flaked out at the NFL Combine, leaving early to prepare for his pro day, which, depending on who's telling the story, didn't go that well, either.
Generally, I'm all for players getting as much money as they can because NFL contracts aren't guaranteed. But for Smith, who will probably be the starting right tackle, you'd think he would like to keep the off-field distractions to a minimum, especially when they could impact his on-field performance.
If Smith isn't signed by late July, Ludwig writes that "Anthony Collins and Dennis Roland will ... share snaps at right offensive tackle in Smith's absence."
While it could be worse, for an outfit trying to rebound from a four-win effort last year, it would be nice to have the rookie starting right tackle around to work with the first-team offense.
