NFL: Raiders already working to get McFadden signed
Advertiser Staff
The Oakland Raiders don't expect a repeat of last year when it comes signing their No. 1 pick, running back Darren McFadden of Arkansas.
According to a San Francisco Chroncile article, McFadden's agent, Ian Greengross, is scheduled to meet with the team's contract negotiators this week.
Figures on both sides are optimistic a deal could be struck in June, which would be something of a landmark for the Raiders.
Last year, the Raiders didn't sign No. 1 overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell until Sept. 11 -- two days after the season opener.
In fact, over the past 10 years, the Raiders haven't signed their top pick until mid-July.
According to the article written by David White, McFadden has repeatedly said he does not want to miss a day of camp. He has told family members and friends it looks like the deal will get done sooner than he expected.
"They said probably by June they should know what's going on," said Mini Muhammad, McFadden's mother, from her home in Little Rock, Ark. "I know they're working on it."
A team source confirmed the accelerated nature of the contract talks, White wrote.
"I would think we'll see something in June," the team official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he isn't authorized to speak on the situation.
The Raiders selected McFadden with the fourth pick of the draft in April. They typically don't begin rookie negotiations in earnest until after the Fourth of July, which makes next week's face-to-face meeting notable.
Why the sudden rush?
Some of it is in response to last year's stalled negotiations with Russell, which made him the league's first No. 1 overall pick to miss training camp since Bo Jackson in 1986.
It also helps that the league's No. 1 and No. 3 overall picks have already been signed, thus setting a ceiling from which to work under.
The Falcons signed No. 3 pick, Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, to a six-year, $72 million contract with $34.75 million guaranteed on May 20.
Miami signed No. 1 overall pick, Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, before the April 26 draft.
