THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
JACKSONVILLE - Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio deviated from the norm Wednesday by discussing contract negotiations with first-round draft pick Derrick Harvey and calling the deals brokered ahead of him "outrageous."
Del Rio sent a clear message to the former UF defensive end, the eighth overall selection who has missed nine practices during training camp, and expressed frustration with the way things have unfolded.
"He's fallen behind, there's no question," Del Rio said. "It's unfortunate that he's not here. There's been some deals in front of us that are outrageous, in my opinion, and it makes it difficult to have him here. But we have a belief in where we're going to go and we still have a belief in where it's going to go, and right now we're not in agreement so he's out and he's losing time.
"At some time you lose so much work that you don't become as valuable. We're not there yet, but it's time to get him in camp. Hopefully he wants to be here bad enough we'll work something out."
It could be expensive.
Linebacker Vernon Gholston, selected with the sixth pick by the New York Jets, signed a five-year deal worth $50 million, with $21 million guaranteed.
The small-market Jaguars, who have struggled to sell tickets and don't have a stadium sponsor, were hoping New Orleans would be more frugal with defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. But the Saints gave the No. 7 pick a five-year deal Tuesday that reportedly included $19.5 million guaranteed.
Based on the NFL's typical slotting system, Harvey could be seeking a deal close in value.
"What's happened at the very top of the first round is ridiculous," Del Rio said. "When you're paying the guys who have never done anything more than star football players in this league that have played for years and established themselves at this level what they're capable of, it can be a little frustrating.
"But we'll deal with it the best we can. We don't negotiate publicly, but I'm just trying to give you a sense of where we are, where I am right now, in dealing with this."
Harvey and linebacker Keith Rivers, chosen ninth by Cincinnati, are the only first-round pick who remain unsigned
Harvey was expected to compete for a starting spot and make an immediate impact on a team that struggled to pressure the quarterback the last two seasons.
Jacksonville had 37 sacks in 2007, one more than the previous year, and the lackluster pass rush really showed against Indianapolis and New England. The Jags were a combined 0-3 against the two AFC powers, struggling to harass Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.
