Negotiations for LB Spikes on 'Solid Footing'
The Boston Herald reported on Thursday that things are apparently going well with the contract negotiations for Patriots rookie linebacker Brandon Spikes.
The second round pick's agent, Terry Watson, told the newspaper yesterday that the two sides have been talking for the past 7-10 days and that negotiations were “on solid footing.”
Said Watson: “We’re having good dialogue. Hopefully, we’ll get it done in the next few days, and certainly before training camp.”
 Rookie linebacker Brandon Spikes is closing in on a contract with the Patriots (Photo: Icon/SMI) |
So far New England has managed to get all but four of their rookies under contract, and yesterday signed two more after defensive lineman Kade Weston and quarterback Zac Robinson both reached a deal with their new team.
Watson told the newspaper that figuring out how to deal with the option bonus was a factor in contract talks, but he didn't feel the two sides had to get "overly creative" to get a deal done. That has reportedly been what's held up getting first round pick Devin McCourty's deal completed, along with other players throughout the league due to the ongoing labor dispute.
However despite that one roadblock, he feels pretty confident that they'll figure it out before this weekend.
“I think based on past contract dealings they have had, I don’t see an overwhelming argument as to why those past contracts, or the theme of those, could not continue into this year as well,” he said.
Spikes is one of just four players the Patriots haven't finalized deals with, as McCourty, TE Rob Gronkowksi, and LB Jermaine Cunningham are the only remaining rookies without a contract as the rookies prepare to head to Foxboro this Sunday.
