Suh and Best still unsigned as Training Camp looms

Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press writes that Lions’ first round draft picks Ndamukong Suh (No. 2 overall) and Jahvid Best (No. 30) are still unsigned as training camp begins this week. Furthermore Monarrez believes that although it is important that both rookies get into camp on time it is more crucial that Suh get signed and in camp on time since his position is more technically difficult then Bests’ RB position.
“I think the running back can afford to miss more time than the defensive lineman can because the running back position is probably — from a technical standpoint — one of the easiest to come in and play,” said Gil Brandt, Dallas’ vice president of player personnel in 1960-89. “In the case of Suh, every day that he misses — and not only Suh’s case, but Best’s case also — every day that they miss sets them back.”
There have been encouraging signs in regards to Suh and Best getting signed prior to camp. The first sign is it seems that contract negotiations are moving along with first overall pick Sam Bradford and the St. Louis Rams. Once the first overall pick is signed that sets the bar for what other contracts should go for. Second, Suh tweeted that he had his bags packed and was on his way to Detroit to begin training camp. Now Suh’s tweet might not be too substantial but it is definitely better hearing that then him saying a deal is far off or waiting at home for a contract to get done.
Now I’m not too worried about this but in addition to the good signs that we’ve seen there have been some instances that have gotten my mind thinking twice about the possibility that Suh and/or Best don’t get signed on time. First is Suh’s agent saying that his client is different and that he was the best player in the draft and could have been the first overall pick, St. Louis just needed a QB. I don’t think this team is prepared to pay Suh more then what they are paying franchise QB Matthew Stafford and that could be something that holds all of this up. In terms of Best the thing that concerns me about that is the fact that we’ve really heard nothing about any type of contract progress with him. If you ask me right though, I do think that both players will be in camp on time and ready to go. This definitely won’t be a situation like we saw with Michael Crabtree and the 49ers.