Once upon a time, rookie holdouts were the scourge of pro football fan bases.
After the rookie wage scale was introduced via the NFL's 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement, however, the drama was removed from rookie contracts.
Because football news abhors a late-June, early-July vacuum, rumors begin to swirl when a high-profile draft pick remains unsigned.
That was the case this week, as one specious report suggested No. 2 overall draft pick Marcus Mariota is balking at a clause in the Tennessee Titans' offer that forbids him from surfing.
A source directly involved with contract negotiations has assured ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky that there is "not truth at all" to the surfing storyline.
Most recent delays in rooking signings have involved offset contract language. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport has reported on NFL Total Access that offset language is an issue here.
There's no need for Titans fans to worry about their new franchise savior until July 29, when training camp opens.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast welcomes back Lindsay Rhodes to recap Antonio Gates' suspension and the 'Top 100' rankings. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
