DAVIE - Nine down, one to go.

 

The Dolphins signed quarterback John Beck, a second-round pick, to a four-year contract Monday. That leaves receiver/returner Ted Ginn, a first-round pick, as the only one of 10 draftees still unsigned. Beck will receive approximately $2.25 million in guaranteed money, according to a source.

 

Ginn, who is registered at the team hotel, couldn't be reached by phone. Ginn's agent, Neil Cornrich, declined to comment on the negotiations, and according to a source, "it's very doubtful" that the deal will be done in time for today's rookie practice sessions.

 

Thus far, only four of the league's 32 first-round picks have signed contracts: linebacker Lawrence Timmons, (Steelers, No. 15 overall); tackle Joe Staley (49ers, No. 28); tight end Greg Olsen (Bears, No. 31); and on Monday the Chargers signed LSU receiver Craig Davis, the 30th pick.

 

Beck, the 40th overall pick and fourth quarterback taken, joined his rookie class as well as a handful of free-agent rookies and young veterans at a youth coaches' football clinic Monday night in the team's practice bubble.

 

Beck, expected to be the third quarterback behind Trent Green and Cleo Lemon as camp begins Saturday, addressed some 2,000 coaches from the Florida Youth Athletic Association before the three-hour clinic, then demonstrated a variety of quarterbacking skills along with fourth-string quarterback Gibran Hamdan.

 

"We saw John Beck and were hoping to see Ginn, but I'm sure he'll be in here in the next day or two," said Nick Antonacci, coach of the Cooper City Cowboys of the American Youth Football League. "It's all about teaching the kids."

 

The Dolphins, and especially owner H. Wayne Huizenga, also would like to see Ginn, so they won't endure their third straight year of a holdout by a first-round pick.

 

Beck posted a 25-2 record over his junior and senior seasons at Brigham Young. In 2006, Beck completed 69.3 percent of his passes for 3,885 yards with 32 touchdown passes and eight interceptions.

 

Ginn, who missed the first two minicamps because of a lingering foot injury and commitments at Ohio State, is the highest-drafted receiver in franchise history. He's projected to be the kickoff and punt return specialist while honing his receiving skills.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-fls...0,7057481.story

I hope the rookies are man enough to practice anyway while their agents work out their contracts. Focus on football, learn your new offense, meet your team, be a stand up guy. We'll see who is willing to man up.

I hope the rookies are man enough to practice anyway while their agents work out their contracts. Focus on football, learn your new offense, meet your team, be a stand up guy. We'll see who is willing to man up.

 

They would have to be pretty stupid to start training camp without a contract. One wrong step and you blow out your knee and lose millions of dollars from your signing bonus. No good agent would allow a client to practice unsigned, nor should they. For most guys, this is their one shot to make money playing football professionally.

I hope the rookies are man enough to practice anyway while their agents work out their contracts. Focus on football, learn your new offense, meet your team, be a stand up guy. We'll see who is willing to man up.

 

They would have to be pretty stupid to start training camp without a contract. One wrong step and you blow out your knee and lose millions of dollars from your signing bonus. No good agent would allow a client to practice unsigned, nor should they. For most guys, this is their one shot to make money playing football professionally.

 

Very true. While showing up to camp seems like the honorable and right thing to do, its too risky. NFL teams can cut you at the drop of a hat. You are better off missing a few days and getting a deal, than risking everything and never seeing a dime.

Excellent, now we just need the Ginn Family to sign.