The Facts:
There's been no movement yet on a deal for No. 3 overall pick Richardson even though the two players drafted ahead of him, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, have signed their four-year deals, a league source said.
Reported by the Cleveland Plain Dealer
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
According to Plain Dealer staffer Mary Kay Cabot, offset language is believed to be the only real issue with Richardson's contract, because the total amount of the deal and signing bonus are pretty well set under the new rookie slotting system. The contract will also be fully guaranteed. Richardson will receive about $20.4 million over four years, including a signing bonus of about $13.4 million. The problem for the Browns is that neither Luck, the first overall pick, nor Griffin received offset language in their contracts. Offset language allows the team that drafted a player to save some money in the event the player is released and signs with another team while still owed money by his original team. ... Meanwhile, GM Tom Heckert said last week that he expects Richardson and No. 22 overall pick Brandon Weeden to be in on time, but didn't specify if he meant by the start of rookie camp or when veterans report Friday. According to Cabot, the holdup in Weeden's case is that he's seeking to have all four years of his rookie deal guaranteed. Most players drafted at the lower end of the first round have three years guaranteed and a partial guarantee for the fourth season. Weeden will receive a four-year deal worth about $8.1 million a year. With the Browns counting on him to be their starting quarterback, he can ill-afford to miss much camp time. ... Stay tuned.
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