Burgess sits after surgery; doesn't worry about contract
His deal seems low for an elite pass rusher.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
NAPA -- Everyone predicting a Derrick Burgess holdout was partially right.
He isn't practicing.
Not because of a contract dispute, but because of hernia surgery two weeks ago.
The two-time Pro Bowl defensive end is on the physically unable to perform list. He performed agility drills Friday, but did not participate in team drills.
As far as a new contract being worked out, Burgess was led to believe it could happen by what turned out to be an unreliable source.
"At one point, it was talked about it, but evidently the guy who said it is no longer here," Burgess said. "OK, well, you know, he's not here." When told that guy, fired personnel executive Mike Lombardi, was hired by the Denver Broncos, he said: "Tell him I said, 'What's happening? I appreciate it.'"
Burgess signed a five-year, $15 million contract before the 2005 season. Since then he's become one of the NFL's elite pass rushers, even if his contract says otherwise.
"Well, we all deserve a lot of things," Burgess said. "But it is what it is, man. I'm here. I signed a contract here, I'm here to play for the Raiders."
But it's hard to ignore how defensive ends are being paid.
Defensive ends with lesser credentials -- such as Patrick Kerney (six years, $39.5 million, $19.5 million guaranteed from Seattle) and Dewayne White (five years, $29 million, $13 million guaranteed from Detroit) -- have cashed in this offseason.
Indianapolis star Dwight Freeney signed a six-year, $72 million deal, with $30 million guaranteed.
"Hopefully they decide they want to give me a new contract, cool," Burgess said. "If not, hey, it's a business, you got to remember that. The only part I want everybody to understand, like I tell the young cats, always treat it like one."
As for his surgery, Burgess said he was born with a hernia, but it only started bothering him recently. He said there's no timetable for his return but didn't appear worried. Coach Lane Kiffin said if there was a game to be played, Burgess could play.
One Raider was sarcastically unsympathetic. "He's just taking advantage of the situation," said defensive tackle Warren Sapp. "He's no PUP."
And the two are already in midseason form -- verbally.
"He didn't tell you that lie," Burgess said. "I'm (telling) him you lied on him, too."
No-shows
Quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the first overall draft choice, is at home in Mobile, Ala. without a deal. Second-round pick Zach Miller also missed the first practice without a contract.
Russell's deal could be done this weekend. The Raiders think an agreement with Miller is closer.
"We felt that Zach was going to be at this practice, even up until a few minutes before practice," Kiffin said. "But at the last minute, it just didn't happen."
Up front
The first-team offensive line was Barry Sims at left tackle, Robert Gallery at left guard, Jake Grove at center and Cooper Carlisle at right guard.
Cornell Green, a nine-year veteran from Central Florida, played right tackle instead of Paul McQuistan.
