Wimbley, Browns Get Talks Started

TheOBR.com has learned that Kamerion Wimbley's agent, Joe Linta, will come to Cleveland on Tuesday to begin talking to the Browns about his client's contract. The Browns and Wimbley hope to avoid a recent trend of holdouts by top Browns draft picks...

UPDATE: As reported exclusively last night on the OBR radio program, the Browns and Wimbley's representative met on Tuesday to begin contract talks. The two sides exchanged numbers and began the discussion. No agreement was reached at this early date, of course, but the two sides will continue discussions in the coming days.

Cleveland Browns first-round pick OLB Kamerion Wimbley's agent Joe Linta told scout.com Monday that he will be traveling to Cleveland on Tuesday to get the ball rolling on contract negotiations with the team.

Linta is expected to meet with Browns' contract negotiator Trip MacCracken.

The Browns and Linta will be challenged to agree on a contract quickly, since only top pick Mario Williams (Houston Texans) has agreed to a deal, giving both the team and agent few reference points to help in negotiations.

The early start is a positive sign, however, and another Linta client, Steelers fourth-round pick Willie Colon, has already agreed to terms with the Browns AFC North rival.

Wimbley has also said that he would like to be under contract prior to training camp.

“I don’t think there will be any holdout,” Wimbley told reporters during draft weekend, “I am looking forward to getting into camp as soon as possible. I don’t see any reason why I would be holding out.”

Wimbley may also be learning from the experience of 2005 top pick Braylon Edwards, who held out of training camp for two weeks prior to signing with the team on August 10th. Edwards did not merit a start in head coach Romeo Crennel's eyes until late November, against the Dolphins.

In 2004, TE Kellen Winslow held out of training camp for twelve days, but was quickly pulled into action by then-head coach Butch Davis.