The parameters of Maybin's contract have been established for at least the last few weeks.
The money that counts with the first round contracts is the guaranteed money and the number that counts is the % increase over the 2008 contracts:
The #14-#32 first round picks this year signed for 5-10% increases in guaranteed money over the 2008 contracts
Orakpo at #13 signed for a 12% increase in guaranteed money over the 2008 #13 contract
Moreno at #12 signed for a 13% increase in guaranteed money over the 2008 #12 contract
Raji at #9 signed for an 18% increase in guaranteed money over the 2008 #9 contract
Heywood-Bey at #7 signed for a 20% increase in guaranteed money over the 2008 #7 contract
(If you wonder how how little the first number counts, compare the contracts for the #7 picks -
2008 Sedrick Ellis 5 years, $49 million $19.5M guaranteed
2009 Darrius Heyward-Bey 5 years, $38.25 million $23.5M guaranteed).
All the players picked after Maybin are signed and his contract parameters are set:
(#14-#32) 5-10% increase in guaranteed money over 2008 contracts
(#13) 12% increase in guaranteed money
(#12) 13% increase in guaranteed money
(#11) unsigned - Aaron Maybin
(#10) unsigned - Michael Crabtree
(#9) 18% increase in guaranteed money
(#8) Monroe signed today - no terms disclosed yet
(#7) 20% increase in guaranteed money
Whatever we think of the ridiculous money that unproven first round draft picks receive, the parameters for the #11 pick contract are set: a 14-15% increase in guaranteed money over last year's #11.
A 14% increase would be about $14.25M guaranteed. A 15% increase would be about $14.5M guaranteed. Any less than $14.25 - $14.5M would be a lowball offer. It didn't happen last year and I seriously doubt that it is happening this year. McKelvin was signed and in camp by July 26.
Maybin is a young player. He needs to be in camp if he is going to help the Bills this year. From all accounts, he is good guy. The bottom line is that the only reason for him not to have been signed and in camp is that he has been waiting
to see if the #10 pick could blow up the draft by demanding more money than the #7 pick. It's not going to happen and it shouldn't happen.
Maybin should get the 14-15% increase in guaranteed money that his draft slot is set to receive. If he and his agent are holding out for more, that's not "just business". Moreno, Orakpo and the #12 - #32 picks did not wait for Maybin or Crabtree to sign. Once the contract parameters were set, they signed (multi-million dollar) contracts based on where they were picked and joined their teams.
Crabtree may not sign until September, if he signs at all. Whether he holds out for a month or a year, it doesn't control Maybin. He needs to sign and join the team. Maybin has a reputation as a hard working guy who loves to play football. I
hope that we get to see that guy on the field soon.
