First Round

1. St. Louis Rams – Ndamukong Suh – DT – Nebraska – Roosevelt Barnes (Maximum Sports)

2. Detroit Lions – Derrick Morgan – DE – Georgia Tech – Tom Condon and Ben Dogra (CAA)

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Eric Berry – S – Tennessee – Chad Speck (Allegiant Athletic Agency)

4. Washington Redskins – Jimmy Clausen – QB – Notre Dame – Gary Wichard (Pro Tect Management)

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Gerald McCoy – DT – Oklahoma – Tom Condon, Ben Dogra, and Kelli Masters (CAA & Kelli Masters Management)

6. Seattle Seahawks – Russell Okung – OT – Oklahoma State – Peter Schaffer and Lamont Smith (All Pro Sports & Entertainment)

7. Cleveland Browns – Joe Haden – CB – Florida – DSI Sports

8. Oakland Raiders – Bryan Bulaga – OT – Iowa – Tom Condon and Ben Dogra (CAA)

9. Buffalo Bills – Dez Bryant – WR – Oklahoma State – Eugene Parker (Maximum Sports)

10. Denver Broncos (from Chicago) – Rolano McClain – LB – Alabama – Pat Dye (ProFiles Sports)

11. Jacksonville Jaguars – Arrelious Benn – WR – Illinois – Gary Wichard (Pro Tect Management)

12. Miami Dolphins – Jermaine Gresham – TE – Oklahoma – Tom Condon and Ben Dogra (CAA)

13. San Francisco 49ers – Taylor Mays – S – USC – Gary Wichard (Pro Tect Management)

14. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) – C.J. Spiller – RB – Clemson – Gary Wichard (Pro Tect Management)

15. New York Giants – Brandon Spikes – LB – Florida – Terry Watson (Watson Sports Agency)

16. Tennessee Titans – Kyle Wilson – CB – Boise State – Joel Segal and Chafie Fields (BEST)

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina) – Mike Iupati – OG – Idaho – Ryan Tollner (Rep 1 Sports)

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Golden Tate – WR – Notre Dame – Todd France (FAAM)

19. Atlanta Falcons – Anthony Davis – OT – Rutgers – Sunny Shah (320 Sports)

20. Houston Texans – Earl Thomas – S – Texas – David Dunn, Joby Branion, Mark Humenik, Andrew Kessler and Justin Schulman (Athletes First)

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Aaron Hernandez – TE – Florida – David Dunn, Joby Branion, Mark Humenik, Andrew Kessler and Justin Schulman (Athletes First)

22. New England Patriots – Jahvid Best – RB – California – Tony Fleming, Mitch Frankel, Sean Kiernan and Jack Scharf (Impact Sports)

23. Green Bay Packers – Brandon Graham – DE – Michigan – Joel Segal (BEST)

24. Philadelphia Eagles – Sergio Kindle – LB – Texas – Joel Segal (BEST)

25. Baltimore Ravens – Marty Gilyard – WR – Cincinnati – Andy Simms and Nate Haber (PlayersRep)

26. Arizona Cardinals – Rob Gronkowski – TE – Arizona – Drew Rosenhaus (Rosenhaus Sports Representation)

27. Dallas Cowboys – Bruce Campbell – OT – Maryland – Drew Rosenhaus (Rosenhaus Sports Representation)

28. San Diego Chargers – Sean Weatherspoon – LB – Chargers – David Dunn, Joby Branion, Mark Humenik, Andrew Kessler and Justin Schulman (Athletes First)

29. New York Jets – Everson Griffen – DE – USC – Gary Wichard (Pro Tect Management)

30. Minnesota Vikings – Donovan Warren – CB – Michigan – Drew Rosenhaus (Rosenhaus Sports Representation)

31. Indianapolis Colts – Jason Pierre-Paul – DE – South Florida – Drew Rosenhaus (Rosenhaus Sports Representation)

32. New Orleans Saints – Maurkice Pouncey – C – Florida – Joel Segal and Chafie Fields (BEST)

Notes:

• Anyone have anything to add about DSI Sports (the company that Joe Haden signed with)?  I cannot seem to find anything regarding the agency.
• Rosenhaus looks to break back into having a solid presence in the first round.  That said, none of his guys look like they are going to be first half of the first round mega earners.
• Pro Tect Management is not on the same level as CAA, BEST, and Athletes First, but based on who Gary Wichard is representing this year, you would never know that his company doesn’t represent Peyton Manning, Reggie Bush, or Mark Sanchez.  Perilli has Pro Tect Management leading all agencies in first round selections.
• Nice to see my boys Andy Simms and Nate Haber possibly breaking the first round.  PlayersRep is definitely an up-and-coming agency.  They had the unfortunate obligation of dealing with Chris Henry’s death (may he rest in peace), but have managed to still gain some great clients with that heavy burden.

It’s been a nice run for Daunte Culpepper.  Or has it?  Culpepper has long subscribed to a policy of negotiating his own contracts, talking to NFL teams on his own behalf, and keeping the 1-3% he would have otherwise payed an NFLPA agent.  It was almost three years ago when I claimed that Culpepper could use an agent.  At the time, he was with the Dolphins, but was more busy running his mouth to the media than attempting to show his skill on the field, which would have possibly prevented him from ending up in a trade.

Then, in September of 2008, Culpepper decided that he was going to retire from football.  Well, that didn’t exactly work according to plan…but it was definitely something that once again could have been held from the media.  SportsAgentBlog.com contributor, Dominic Perilli, said it best back in 2008, when he stated,

Throughout Culpepper’s career, Daunte the agent got in the way of Daunte the quarterback. His focus was often on his contract and getting paid rather than going out there and playing football.

Culpepper started 5 games for the Detroit Lions in 2008 and another 5 games for the Lions in 2009, and he does not want to start 5 games again in 2010.  But this time, perhaps, Culpepper has warmed up to the idea of at least having someone experienced in NFL matters help him with the process of finding a good fit.

That man is David Cornwell, whose law firm, DNK Cornwell, has the tagline, Premier Legal Resource for Sports Agents and the Men & Women Who Play Professional Sports.  Cornwell lists his expertise in law, negotiations, marketing & licensing, corporate management, and media.  Culpepper could probably benefit from most of those services.  Some other notes about Cornwell: He has served as the primary counsel for Reggie Bush (New Orleans Saints), Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards), Michael Beasley (Miami Heat), and Darren McFadden, and he also used to be the primary counsel for sports agents Leigh Steinberg, Jeff Moorad, Eugene Parker, Dan Fegan, and Michael Gillis.

Culpepper says that he will still negotiate his own contracts, but will retain Cornwell as an advisor.  Whatever the case may be, I believe this is a step in the right direction for Culpepper.  This should have been done years ago.

Now the Oakland Raiders have the most expensive kicker and the most expensive punter (Shane Lechler – 4-years, $16 million).

Andrew Brandt, President of the National Football Post and former Packers VP (and panelist at the 2010 UF Sports Law Symposium), will be hosting a webinar tomorrow (from 1:00 p.m.-3 p.m.) that will educate those who are looking to gain an edge over the competition.  Brandt will be breaking down the state of NFL labor relations and what the upcoming changes will mean for the League, the players/their agents, and the fans.  The cost is $24.95.

If interested, click here.

First off, I’d like to thank everyone who commented on the initial Let’s Make a Deal post; great job keeping the conversation going! Here is the second installment, so get your research done and hit me with some counter-offers!

Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

6′4″, 272 pounds

1st round, 2nd overall selection to the Detroit Lions

Requested Contract:

• 6 years, $30 million guaranteed ($5 million/year)
• I would like the total contract amount be worth around $63 million
• More money in the first year (due to lockout threat)

Derrick Morgan is one of the most explosive defensive ends to enter the NFL Draft. Here in Detroit, I feel that Morgan will make an instant impact on not only the defense, but the team as a whole.

Here are the 2nd overall contracts from the years 2007-2009 (percentage increase/decrease from the previous year is shown and reflects the per year amounts):

• 2007 – Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech – 6 years/ $55.5 million
  • $27.178 million guaranteed ($4.53 million/year)
• 2008 – Chris Long, DE, Virginia – 5 years/ $48 million (+3.78%)
  • $33 million guaranteed ($6.6 million/year)
• 2009 – Jason Smith, OT, Baylor – 6 years/ $61.775 million (+7.24%)
  • $22.385 million guaranteed ($3.73 million/year)

Listed are the defensive ends chosen in the first round of the 2007 draft:

• Gaines Adams (R.I.P), Buccaneers/Bears (4^th)– 6 years/ $42 million
  • $18.56 million guaranteed ($3.09 million/year)
• Jamaal Anderson, Falcons (8^th) – 5 years/ $30.9 million
  • $15.361 million guaranteed ($3.0722 million/year)
• Adam Carriker, Rams (13^th) – 5 years, $12.8 million
  • $9.4 million guaranteed ($1.88 million/year)
• Jarvis Moss, Broncos (17^th) – 5 years/ $14.95 million
  • $8.06 million guaranteed ($1.612 million/year)
• Anthony Spencer, Cowboys (26^th) – 5 years/ $7.453 million
  • $6 million guaranteed ($1.2 million/year)

Listed are the defensive ends chosen in the first round of the 2008 draft:

• Derrick Harvey, Jaguars (8^th) – 5 years/ $23.8 million
  • $17.1775 million guaranteed ($3.4355 million/year)
• Lawrence Jackson, Seahawks (28^th) – 5 years/ $11.25 million
  • $6.1 million guaranteed ($1.22 million/year)

Listed are the defensive ends chosen in the first round of the 2009 draft:

• Tyson Jackson, Chiefs (3^rd) – 5 years/ $57 million
  • $31 million guaranteed ($6.2 million/year)
• Aaron Maybin, Bills (11^th) – 5 years, $17.6 million
  • $15 million guaranteed ($3 million/year)
• Brian Orakpo (LB/DE), Redskins (13^th) – 5 years, $15.4 million
  • $12.1 million guaranteed ($2.42 million/year)
• Robert Ayers, Broncos (18^th) – 5 years, $18.34 million
  • $9.7 million guaranteed ($1.94 million/year)

Here is how my Morgan stacks up against these players statistically:

At first glance, it would seem that my client’s statistics are strikingly lower than the others (and they are). However, you need to take into consideration the fact that my client only played two full seasons of football. Had he played four full seasons, the statistics would be comparable to the likes of Chris Long and Gaines Adams.

The average amount per year (guaranteed money) given to the second overall pick from 2007-2009 has been approximately $4.95 million. I am requesting $5 million per year for six years. Considering the fact that the total amount of first round contracts increased about 5% per year, my request of a 2% increase is definitely worth your while. Derrick Morgan is a proven run stopper and can provide immediate help for the Detroit Lions’ run defense. Derrick is not just a great football player, but he is the building block for the future!

Kokinis has retained Jeffrey L. Kessler of Dewey & LeBoeuf LLC in NYC. Kessler is a prominent attorney who has litigated numerous sports cases, including McNeil v NFL (the case that created the NFL’s current free agency system). According to Kessler, Kokinis is not looking to make this legal fight public. He is keeping the details of the suit quiet for now. Therefore, details of exactly what Kokinis is alleging are scarce. However, Kessler did mention that if the Browns respond to the arbitration filing by releasing false information relating to his performance as Browns’ GM, his client will respond with his version of the story.

Even though details are sketchy, I have my own theory on the matter. As stated previously, Kokinis will likely argue that he was fraudulently induced into joining the team based on the team’s misrepresentation that he would have final authority on personnel matters and report directly to the owner. He will also argue that, as General Manager, he was required to have final authority over personnel matters per N.F.L. rules. Further, he will argue that his contract was guaranteed for four years and should be honored. Finally, he will also claim that he did nothing wrong to warrant his termination for cause. He has already stated that “[t]he only ’cause’ here is the unwillingness of the team to stand behind the promises that they made to Mr. Kokinis that he would have broad authority over football operations in the face of mounting disagreements over personnel and related issues.”

The Browns will counter by claiming that Kokinis’ dismissal is “for cause.” To dismiss Kokinis “for cause” means that the team had to have a reason to terminate him. Generally, he would have had to do something expressly forbidden in the contract, failed to perform his duties, or committed insubordination in order to be fired. The Browns will argue that Kokinis failed to meet the specific standards of his contract. It is likely that the Browns will try to argue that Kokinis did not defer on personnel and other important matters relating to football operations and that the contract required him to do so. Therefore, the Browns will argue that they were within their rights to dismiss him for cause.

The outcome of the case will center on whether the Browns can come up with some believable argument that Kokinis breached the employment agreement either through insubordination, failing to perform his duties or other conduct forbidden by the agreement. Since I do not have all the facts, it is hard to determine the outcome of the case at this time. However, if what the parties claim is correct and there is no other relevant information, it is hard to see how the Browns will prevail. Kokinis was the General Manager and the Browns had to give him final authority on personnel matters per NFL rules. It has been reported that Kokinis was not involved in the Braylon Edwards trade and was not allowed to make any personnel decisions. Therefore, it is hard to see how the Browns held up their end of the employment contract. Barring any other conduct by Kokinis that would breach the contract, I would put my money on Kokinis winning this case.

Lately, there have been rumors that the NFL might get creative and impose a Rookie Wage Scale.  Would it look similar to the NBA’s Rookie Scale?  It looks like we will not know any time soon.  Apparently, the earliest that an NFL Rookie Wage Scale would be implemented (if ever) is 2012.  In the linked article, Chris Mortensen really shows what he thinks about athletes being able to make decisions for themselves.  He says,

“Do not listen to agents who are scaring you into a rookie wage scale or a rookie cap. . . .  Don’t let agents deceive you and lie about this rookie wage scale and rookie cap that would affect you into coming out early.”

In Mort’s world, there are no agents using Twitter or blogging to report on the article about there likely not being a Rookie Wage Scale either, right?