Taylor happy to have all the business stuff out of te way!

Sean Taylor's path from draft day to signing day was anything but orthodox, so it's not surprising he'd rather not talk about it.After a series of adventures involving agents, a $25,000 fine, baggy shorts and misfired shaving gel, the No. 5 overall pick out of Miami finally settled in Tuesday with a seven-year, $18 million contract from the Washington Redskins."I'm real happy to have all the business stuff out of the way and all the agent issues out of the way and get back to football," said Taylor, expected to be the opening-day starter at free safety.He became the highest draft pick to sign so far this season, even though he fired his agent shortly after the draft and didn't hire new ones until last week.The details of the contract were confirmed by a Redskins official and a person involved in the negotiations, who both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The sources said Taylor will receive a $7.2 million signing bonus, and that the total bonus money in the deal -- including option and roster bonuses -- exceeds $13 million.The contract includes incentives that can make the deal worth up to $40 million over six years, while the seventh year can be voided. The incentives are based on playing time, performance and Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections.Taylor will join coach Joe Gibbs and the team on the practice field Wednesday for the final day of a three-day passing camp. The first standard training camp practices -- in full pads with mandatory attendance for all players under contract -- begin Saturday.Agent Jeff Moorad and vice president for player personnel Vinny Cerrato worked quickly to get the deal done. Cerrato flew to California for two days of talks last week, and Moorad made a surprise return trip to Redskins Park on Monday, showing up unannounced at the front door."I don't remember one coming together this quick," Moorad said. "I'd certainly have to say it's unique."For several months, the Redskins couldn't negotiate with Taylor because he didn't have an agent. At one point, he told Cerrato that he was thinking about representing himself -- then later added that he would perhaps have a lawyer by his side to hash out the legalese. Then he finally hired Moorad and Eugene Mato."We were getting anxious," Cerrato said. "I was calling him quite often: 'Let's get somebody. Sean, if you want your money, you've got to have someone come talk to us.' We were very happy when he finally made a decision."Without an agent to advise him, Taylor left the NFL's mandatory rookie symposium in June for a day -- a major offense in the eyes of the league. He was fined $25,000.Taylor also had an inauspicious debut at spring minicamp, wearing his shorts so baggy they kept falling to his knees. A very unflattering photo of him appeared in the local paper the next day, giving his teammates easy hazing fodder for the rookie.He was then the victim of a prank gone wrong at a later minicamp, when his vision was impaired by a pile of shaving gel squirted into his face by linebacker LaVar Arrington. Taylor was whisked away for treatment and had to miss practice the next day.Tuesday was Taylor's first public forum to explain some of his actions, but he didn't have much to say. He declined to give an explanation for leaving the rookie symposium, criticized the media for the way the situation was covered, and suggested he might appeal the fine.Asked about his agents, Taylor said he fired his old one because "it wasn't a good fit" and waited until the last minute to hire new ones because "it was really no rush.""It's a transition," Taylor said of his eventful spring and summer. "And it's bumps and bruises through that transition, and it's how well you shake those things off. You become a man through the whole situation, a better man."Taylor's new teammates weren't exactly brimming with sympathy.Cornerback Fred Smoot said Taylor should expect the usual rookie practical jokes, although the shaving gel might be checked at the door."I got treated real bad my rookie year," Smoot said. "Don't worry about it. We're on top of that."Linebacker Kevin Mitchell said Taylor has been suitably humbled now he realizes he's just one of many "big fish" in the NFL."He realized that up here you can't get away with wearing the baggy shorts," Mitchell said. "You've got to have them tied up tight."

posted by Anonymous @ 8:20 AM

|

---