Buffalo Bills first-round running back C.J. Spiller tells Clifton Brown of The Sporting News that he won't rush to sign a contract before training camp begins.

"I let my agent handle all of that," Spiller said. "We're not going to rush. We're going to make sure we cross our T's and dot our I's, however long the process takes. I just have to be patient. I can't get antsy about the situation. I've talked to a lot of veteran guys. My teammates aren't concerned about me holding out. They know that I want to be there, but at the end of the day it's a business. You have to do what's best for your family. It was good to get that support from veteran guys already — before negotiations have heated up."

Like Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham, Spiller has realistic expectations about when he'll sign his rookie contract. Only three of the Top 16 players in last year's draft were signed in time for camp, and two of those--Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez--were quarterbacks that signed deals well before July, including Stafford, who signed in April. Fans and media may not like to hear or read comments like this from players, but honesty and realistic expectations should be preferable to false deadlines that are almost never kept.

Aaron Maybin, one of the Bills' two first-round picks from a year ago, did not sign his contract until August 21, even though the team's other first-round pick, center/guard Eric Wood, was signed on July 30. Even if the players' year one salary is already established, as will be the case for all unsigned first-round picks in the final week before training camp, there are still years two through five (or six, in Spiller' case) that need to be negotiated, often the main cause of training camp arrival delays.

Missing up to a week of camp is never a good thing, but it won't hurt him nearly as much as the Bills coaching staff will imply. Spiller is not expected to start for the Bills, but will be used in a variety ways in the offense. Spiller will have ample time to catch up, and is such a bright guy, Bills fans needn't fret if he misses a few early camp practices.