Pitch A Tent

Anyone else find it strange that the Browns hadn't signed a single draft pick until 5 days before rookie orientation? Chase Pittman, one of 2 7th rounders, signed yesterday, to make 1 signee. We would think that the guys taken in rounds 4-7 would rush to sign and have a chance to make money playing football, but maybe the Browns didn't pay them much attention until recently.

Anyway, the good news is Pittman's going to be in on time. That should make up for the fact that none of Thomas, Quinn or Wright will be at rookie camp, nor are they likely to be in town on time for the start of big-boy training camp. Wait, no it won't. We've been surprised that Wright isn't in, but we were unaware of the CBA stipulation that sounds like it has every team/second rounder trying to figure out what the hell to do. Nice work, Gene Upshaw. It sounds confusing, and confusion makes our head hurt.

Thomas will be very interesting, b/c the Browns obviously don't want to pay a rookie tackle the same guarantees as a QB (V-Young) got last year b/c QBs typically command a premium. Thomas can't be faulted, though, for expecting something similar to his slot from last year. We guess the good news is that Shaffer is there for insurance, but we seem to think Thomas will press his agent to get him in and get him working. This kid wants to play (only slightly less than he wants to catch Walleye).

Funny thing on Quinn, the same QB premium that the Browns are quoting to Thomas to try to pay him less, they seem to be trying to avoid paying to Quinn b/c he was the 22 pick. Top-21 QBs, we guess, get the premium. Not top-22. Whatever happens with Quinn, we have to figure his less-than-impressive turn on the minicamp stage makes the Browns think he won't win the starting gig in training camp, so where's the fire on the Browns' side of the table, right? We can see him missing a lot of time. All the better for him to continue appearing on stage with washed out '80's glam rock bands.