NFL Training Camp Holdouts: Who's Budging and Who is Standing Firm

Without a labor agreement in place between the NFL and the NFLPA after this season, owners are concerned about paying out big guaranteed contracts when a lockout or strike is a distinct possible outcome.

Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans were able to come to a compromise this week that brings Johnson back onto the field for at least the 2010 season and ends his potential holdout.

Most of the top draft picks for rounds one and two remain unsigned at the time of this article being written, so it appears safe to state that the majority of them will be absent from the start of the training camp.

Earlier today it was announced that Dez Bryant and the Dallas Cowboys reached an agreement on a multi-year deal. So perhaps this will cause some sort of domino effect, with other high picks using this deal as a springboard for other deals to get done.

Due to the overwhelming number of unsigned draft picks, we will only use one draft pick in the article, who is rumored to be the longest holdout, and will therefore focus our attention on veteran players that have contract issues that could lead to a prolonged holdout.

We will also talk about where these players are in their holdout, as in do we see them starting to budge, or are they remaining steadfast and defiant in their resolve to hold out and demand for their deal to be reworked, knowing that it might cost them significant fines, and/or loss of a year towards free agency in the process.

Darrelle Revis - New York Jets - Standing Firm

No man is an island, unless that man is playing the role of shutdown cornerback in the NFL. As a result, Revis Island is the side of the field where Revis is blanketing the receiver he is covering.

Because he has risen to the top of the cornerbacks in the NFL, Revis insists that the New York Jets pay him accordingly, as the top cornerback in the game. It probably doesn't help Jets management that head coach Rex Ryan has stated that Revis is the best in the game.

At stake for Revis are two important issues: losing an accrued year towards free agency and a large sum of guaranteed money that was part of a contract clause due to holding out.

To think that Manhattan Island was originally purchased from the local natives in 1637 with axes, beads and nails, this Revis Island promises to be far more expensive.

Vincent Jackson—Holding Firm

Out of all of the potential training camp holdouts, I believe that Vincent Jackson will be the player that holds out the longest.

He has been adamant that he will not accept the Chargers offer to date, and by refusing to sign he has lost money and in August will be looking to lose more money by accruing fines, as well as potentially losing a year towards his free agency.

It should be noted that the NFL announced that Jackson has been suspended three games for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

This promises to be a "see who blinks first" kind of showdown, as Chargers G.M. A.J. Smith has remained steadfast in his conviction that the team made a solid offer to Jackson, and won't be held hostage by the receiver. There is also the possibility that Jackson could be traded and then Jackson would be someone else's headache.

Nick Mangold—Budging

Nick Mangold was named an All-Pro last year. He is entering the final year of his contract and wants to gain some financial security.

According to an article ran in the NY Daily News, here is the latest update:

Mangold, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, said there have been "still zero" negotiations with the team for an extension. He is scheduled to earn $3.3 million in 2010.

"It's deeply disappointing that we are where we are," said Mangold, who addressed the media for the first time during mini-camp. "I've tried to do all the right things on and off the field. I feel it's the Jets' turn. Not having that security of an extension is bothersome."

Mangold admitted he wouldn't consider holding out during the season, but playing without an extension "will affect our long-term relationship."

C. J. Spiller—Staying Firm

While doing research for this article, I have come across a number of analysts that are projecting that Spiller may be the one first round pick that stages the longest holdout out of the 2010 draft class.

That kind of ploy will not endear him to the Buffalo fans, that are hungry for a winning team, and Spiller will go a long way towards making the Bills offense more than a three and out exercise in futility.

Spiller's agent is Gary Wichard, and it appears that they are taking their time and making sure that they have all of the necessary information in front of them to make sure they are extracting as much money from Ralph Wilson as they can.

As anxious as Chan Gailey is to get Spiller involved in the new offense, you can only imagine that the negotiations will be over sooner than later.

Tom Brady—Budging

There are current conflicting reports being run about Brady and if he will hold out or not. This is the final year of his contract so there is concern that if Brady gets hurt again, he has no contract in place to pay him after this year.

While it appears that Brady will report to camp and is prepared to play, the contract situation of Peyton Manning is something that the Patriots and Brady want to see resolved. Once Manning is signed, that provides both parties with a realistic contract that would serve as a guide for what Brady is worth.

This appears to be more smoke than fire, at least for now.

Marcus McNeill—Standing Firm

Marcus McNeill and Vincent Jackson are basically in this holdout together. Each Charger remains adamant that they have no intention of caving in, so the Chargers are preparing to go on without either player.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, McNeill has reportedly made "financial preparations" in advance of executing a lengthy holdout that could last through Week 10 of the regular season.

The Chargers signed Tra Thomas in the event that McNeill does not come back to the team. Yes it is a downgrade, but with no crystal ball to use, they are ready with Plan B.

Peyton Manning—Budging

From the Indianapolis Star: Colts owner Jim Irsay indicated that contract talks with Peyton Manning are ongoing. He added that "there is nothing to report right now.

"We're working through the timing," Irsay said. "It's not only keeping Peyton going forward, but being able to surround him with the right people. We need both."

Manning's situation is very much like Tom Brady's in that both quarterbacks are in the final year of their contract. While New England appears to be the team taking a wait and see approach, the Colts at least are going forward and trying to find a way that allows both sides to be happy.

Expect this to get done, as Manning is way too important to the team to allow him to have major distractions coming in to the season. The Colts are prepared to reward Manning handsomely for being one of the best QB's in the league and for his consistent play.

Albert Haynesworth—Budging

Some people deal with change better than others. Albert Haynesworth was paid a $21 million dollar bonus in March, and then head coach Mike Shanahan asked him to prepare to assume the nose tackle position in the upcoming season. Haynesworth naturally balked at the idea, because if you are paid that much money, you are probably going to be some kind of a prima donna.

As part of his reluctance to roll with the changes, Haynesworth sat out the mandatory mini-camp, which endeared him to new coach Shanahan. He has apparently shed some excess weight and is rumored to be ready to report to camp in shape and ready to go.

Redskins fans will believe it when they see it, as he did not necessarily play to the level of what a $21 million bonus would suggest.

Reggie Wayne—Budging

Reggie Wayne wants a new contract. However he will have to take a number, as the line of players wanting new deals is growing longer.

Bob Sanders, Peyton Manning, and Wayne are all looking to get their deals either re-worked or extended. Wayne will have to wait until priority number one—Peyton Manning—is done.

It doesn't appear that Wayne is ready to hold out yet.

D'Qwell Jackson—Budging

Similar to Wayne and others highlighted so far, D'Qwell Jackson would prefer to have a long term deal signed. He does not intend to sit out training camp and will be there for the opening.

Jackson's injuries don't allow him to have the starting job handed to him, he will have to earn it, so his decision to report to camp on time gives him every chance to win the starting job.

Donald Penn—Standing Firm

Donald Penn thinks that he is worth top flight left tackle money. The Bucs are not willing to pay him that kind of money. Some will say it is the Glazer's being the Glazer's, but has Penn truly proven that he is the top of the league in his play?

This one could be another long holdout, but if you are a Buc's fan, you would hope that your best left tackle is there to protect your quarterback's back side.

Andre Johnson—Budging

Andre Johnson is another player that is hoping to get a re-worked deal. His uncle had been representing him, but Johnson has gone ahead with a new agent, and talks are presumably ongoing.

As of now, Johnson does not have any plans to hold out, so expect him to be there at the start of camp, which has to be a relief to Texans fans.

Aubrayo Franklin—Firm

The San Francisco 49ers weren't able to sign Franklin to a deal, so they will now have to wait until the season ends before they can ink him to a long-term deal. Will he hold from training camp due to the lack of a long range deal? That is the question of the moment.

According to the Sacramento Bee: Franklin, who has yet to sign his $7.003 million franchise tag, has stayed away from the team all offseason in hopes of a long-term deal. It's unclear if the sides are negotiating, but it's been speculated that the team wants to see another strong year from Franklin before committing to a long term deal. He won't face fines for missing the mandatory camp because he is an unsigned player.

There are a whole slew of players that are unhappy with their current arrangement and that will probably remain the case until the labor arrangement is reworked. Let's see how many of these potential holdouts come to fruition.