I think the Jeremy Maclin negotiations are all about the length of the deal. There's a certain amount of money the Eagles have to sign their draft picks with and they signed all of them but Maclin, so the amount of money isn't the issue.
I'm sure they're trying to sign him to a contract that's about a decade long (just joking). Good wide receivers cost big money in the NFL and the Eagles want to put off his second deal for as long as possible.
The Birds know that they want to sign him to a long deal, so they can guarantee having here for five or six years.
Maclin and his agent Jim Steiner want to make it as short as possible and will probably try to get a voidable contract where a number of years are voided if he achieves certain numbers and starts.
I'll give Donovan McNabb credit for not taking sides against the rookie yesterday. He didn't start railing about him getting into the camp,even though he needs to get in. Clearly Joe Banner had Andy Reid put the pressure on the kid today.
Reid was emphatic about how important it is that Maclin gets in here to camp. Surely what Reid said is going to get back to Maclin and put pressure on him to sign whatever Banner offers.
Banner stands by like he's an innocent stand-by when we all know he probably told Reid to put the pressure on the kid.
At the same time, they're going to have to rip up DeSean Jackson's contract and give him a big raise if he continues his excellent play. Banner wants to put off being forced to choose between these two talented young men for as long as possible.
Maclin wants it to happen as soon as possible, if that means getting elevated into the top echelon of the hightest paid receivers in the league.
Banner and the Birds are thinking down the road, as they negotiate this deal with Maclin.
I expect Jackson to be tapping on Banner's door next year if he has a big time Pro Bowl season.
