Bryant McKinnie finally signs

First-round pick McKinnie ends holdout

NFL.com wire reports


EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (Nov. 1, 2002) -- First-round draft pick Bryant McKinnie ended his 98-day holdout, reaching contract terms with the Minnesota Vikings.

The All-American offensive tackle out of Miami was the seventh pick of the first round in June. He became the only first-round pick not to agree to terms when defensive tackle Wendell Bryant, the 12th overall pick, signed with the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 12.

The Vikings had until Nov. 12 to sign McKinnie -- otherwise he would have been ineligible to play this season.

Agents Ben Dogra and Jim Steiner turned down what the Vikings declared a final offer on Aug. 1.

Owner Red McCombs was upset with the agents' tactics, and talks broke off. But negotiations started again in earnest last week with the deadline looming.

The Vikings were flying to Tampa for Week 9's game against the Buccaneers and coaches weren't immediately available for comment. Team spokesman Bob Hagan confirmed that an agreement had been reached.

Calls to Dogra weren't immediately returned.


AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2002, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved

 

Impressive. It's just like getting another very lazy prospect with no experience next year.

 

I'm truly surprised they got him signed. I was sure he'd go back into the draft next year and Houston would pick him up first round.

My bad, I guess.

 

I think he would have fallen out of the top spot.

Part of the problem is that he showed up to May camp out of shape. Beingout of football a year, a year long holdout, and being out of shape with questionable work ethic (which got him dropped to Minnesota anyway), I'm not spending a top 10 pick on that.

 

i knew he would sign, he wants to get paid. if he goes back in the draft he goes through the same thing next year and gets paid less. whos gonna draft a guy in the top ten who didn't sign the previous year?