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| July 15, 1998 FB Floyd Signs; More Expected. It's finally time for training camp. The start is only a few days away, but the Patriots already tried their hardest to complete their agenda. The objective for the Patriots this offseason before training camp was to get all their rookies signed and ready to go. Before signing fourth-round selection Chris Floyd yesterday, the Patriots only signed 3 other rookies. Floyd agreed to a three-year deal worth just under $1 million. He received a $350,000 signing bonus as well. TE Rod Rutledge, who received a four-year $1.98 million deal, was the highest draft pick to have already signed. He was selected in the second round as the Patriots second selection in that round. The Patriots are really concentrated on getting 1st round draft picks RB Robert Edwards and DB Tebucky Jones signed. Along with getting Edwards and Jones signed, the Pats want to get DL Greg Spires and WR Tony Simmons into camp as well. As for the deal with Robert Edwards, Coach Pete Carroll said Monday that he expects the Patriots to sign Edwards this week. "He's going to go to camp with the other guys; we want him on our roster at the start of camp," said Carroll. "He needs to get in as much time as possible." Edwards's agent, Allan Wade, has proposed a four-year deal worth $5 million-$6 million that would be fully guaranteed and include no signing bonus. The Patriots want to give him a six-year deal, but it's unknown whether they would agree to fully guarantee it. It seems that the Patriots Front Office is doing many things at once. They must if they want everyone to be signed and in camp. The team has already started with Jones' deal. Unlike many rookies, Chris Floyd was never worried about his contract. He just wants to play and contribute in any way he can. "I was never worried about the contract," said Floyd. "I knew it would be done before training camp. I let my agents take care of that and I'm happy we could get it done." |