Negotiate Bulaga's Contract :)

[packerbacker1234]

The CBA has a lot to do with it, and you can see the impact across the NFL right now. Most players are protecting themselves because there may not be football next season, which means no paychecks. That means they want to get all their money right now, or at least a significant portion up front.

[Guiness]

Good point on the potential lack of a season, and it could be the reason for some higher signing bonuses. A rookie would be looking to get some money in his pocket NOW.

I wonder how a work stoppage would affect lower round draft picks. College ball keeps going, and a guy from the lower rounds may see his opportunity pass him by, if he is forced to take a year off. Players fresh out of college would pass him by.

[Fritz]

Slot him appropriately and assign Brandon Underwood to be his Green Bay area tour guide. That'll get him into camp.

[CaliforniaCheez]

Other players have checked in, meetings start Friday, and it looks like the holdout has begun.

[Joemailman]

Sounds like they're pretty close. I don't think he'll miss a practice.

[Gunakor]

Other players have checked in, meetings start Friday, and it looks like the holdout has begun.

This holdout, if it can be called that, sounds more like the agent holding out rather than the player. Bulaga sounds like he just wants to play football, wants to be here on time and get to work. As I heard it he's there in camp right now, he just won't be participating until the deal is done.

In any case, I'd be surprised if this lasts beyond this weekend.

[Lurker64]

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Bryan Bulaga has agreed to terms on a five-year deal with the Packers.

OUR LONG NATIONAL NIGHTMARE IS OVER!

[gabe]

YES SIR

[red]

5 year contract 14.75 million, 8.76 guaranteed.

good job by both sides getting this done before camp opens

[CaliforniaCheez]

Well, if the league office approves of the contract in time, Mr. Bulaga may just be able to attend the first on field practice.

[Lurker64]

Well, if the league office approves of the contract in time, Mr. Bulaga may just be able to attend the first on field practice.

I'm reasonably confident that the league offices, at least the people who approve contracts, are obligated to work overtime about the time of year that training camps get started. There have been about a dozen first round picks signed in the last couple of days, and I've not heard anything about any of their contracts being delayed by the league office.

Edit: According to the JSO, Bulaga's contract was actually signed this morning. Does approval of the contract take place before or after it is physically signed? I would think it happens between "agreeing to terms" and "signing" but I'm not an expert on this.

[CaliforniaCheez]

You agree to terms on the phone or through e-mail.

The signing I believe is legal with a fax copy if the player is not around to sign.

The fax copy is then sent to the league office via a pdf so that there is an accountability trail.

Then there is likely an e-mail telling the Packers that the contract does not violate the CBA, have clauses the league does not permit, and fits within the rookie salary cap for the Packers.

If it was done more timely the draftee would signed the actual contract, it would be sent to the league office, and approved the next day.