Agent doesn't have timetable for Morris Claiborne deal

Could a contract holdup keep Morris Claiborne out of the start of training camp in Dallas?

Certainly anything is possible. Calvin Watkins of ESPN Dallas reports that the agent for the sixth overall pick in the draft says he doesn’t know if Claiborne’s deal will be done in time for the start of training camp July 25.

“I have no idea, don’t know,” Cook told Watkins about Claiborne’s availability for training camp. “I don’t know. We’ll see.”

Our first take is what else would Cook say? If Cook says he expects to have his client signed soon, that could signal to the team he is weakening his stance.

But Claiborne is among eight draft picks in the top 10 that remains unsigned. As Watkins points out, offset language has been a holdup. Offset language can free a team from paying guaranteed money after a player is cut if he is signed elsewhere. Otherwise, players can double-dip and earn pay days from two teams.

Obviously, none of the teams in the top 10 have plans to be cutting any of the high picks but it does happen. Look no further than Vernon Gholston for recent evidence.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune