• The man who fired Rosenhaus = Anquan Bolden
• The man who re-hired Rosenhaus = Jeremy Shockey
• The recipient of a 2-year contract extension with the Dolphins = Will Allen

Interestingly, Rosenhaus still represents Anquan’s brother, D.J., for the time being.  The rumor is that CAA and Eugene Parker are on Anquan’s short list as a replacement for Rosenhaus Sports Representation.

Karlos Dansby thinks Anquan made the right move:

“You have to make the right decision for you and your future and I think ‘Q’ made a great decision. He was being slandered in the media because of the decisions he was making through his representation.  For him to change his representation like that is big, man.  That says a lot about him.”

Before Bowl season, he was listed as the best Offensive Lineman going into the 2009 NFL Draft.  Then he was banned from playing in the Sugar Bowl for apparently having dealing with an agent (which is a big no-no when you are a collegiate athlete).  Even though Smith was suspended from what would probably have been the most important single game of his young career, no one thought that it would take any toll on his draft stock.

The winner of the Andre Smith sweepstakes was Alvin Keels and Global Management Group.  Many rumors had been circulating that Todd France and FAAM were the favorites, but Keels came out on top.  For the time being.  I doubt that Keels knew what he was getting into when the talented O-Lineman signed with his company.  Andre Smith ended up showing at the NFL Combine unfit to perform, refused to participate, and then fled the scene.  To make matters worse, the picture above came out and the press was eating it up.

Then Smith scored a 17 on his Wonderlic Test.  And then, with only days remaining before the NFL Draft, Smith dropped Keels in favor of Priority Sports.  Somehow, some way, Smith was a top 10 pick.  His thanks to Priority Sports was a big middle finger.  Yesterday, Jim Trotter of SI.com reported that Smith dropped Priority Sports and guess who Smith is apparently going to hire to fill the void…Alvin Keels.

This is what Keels had to say in response:

“I haven’t been rehired yet,” Keels told us via e-mail.  “Honestly, I might not get him back.  If I do get him back it definitely wasn’t planned that he fire then rehire me.”

But who fires an agent only to re-hire him later? Oh wait, apparently Jeremy Shockey is in the midst of doing the same thing with Rosenhaus Sports Representation as we speak.

Interestingly, Neil Stratton of InsideTheLeague.com reports that even before Smith first hired Keels, he was with DeBartolo Sports.  That means that once Smith officially signs with a new agent (or a new agent who also happens to be a former agent), it will be the fourth time he has signed on the dotted line.  Andre Smith has still not taken a snap in a professional game.

Johnson recently commented that he wants to be traded and is unhappy with QB Carson Palmer.  It all started a couple years ago when Ocho Cinco attempted to restructure his contract.  Since then, he has constantly complained to the Bengals organization and has even mentioned being traded several times.  He has tried the Rosenhaus tactic of holding out and not showing to training camp, as Vinson recently discussed.  He threatened to remain on the sideline this season, and then came down with a sprained ankle right as camp started.  Johnson stopped complaining for a day, showed up to camp, and the Bengals said they would “talk” to him about his contract at the end of this year.  Great move by the Bengals to shut Chad up for this season, or at least shut him up regarding contractual issues for the time being.

After all the bickering and talking by Chad Johnson, are the Bengals finally ready to deal him to another team?  T.O. had a similar problem and image as Johnson does now, but in Dallas, he has shut-up and we have seen a different side of Owens.  Rosenhaus and Owens have taken a different route and attempted to be less vocal (at least less vocal for T.O.).  Owens appears to be a changed man in Dallas.

Terrell Owens used to have this “badboy” image in the media.  Since signing with Dallas, T.O. has toned down his comments and pre-season antics and demands.  He has not stopped his on-the-field antics and still mimics Chad Johnson’s behavior after scoring touchdowns; however, T.O. has not been as vocal off the field.  T.O. even pulled a Jerry Maguire and started crying last year, when he was questioned about “his quarterback”, Tony Romo.  Has Owens gone soft since entering the heat of Dallas or is he getting smarter and shutting up?  Is this a new strategy by Rosenhaus for his clients?

Looking at other players who have piped up, we see that this caused a different reaction in the clubhouse than Johnson’s outspoken style.  Players such as Jeremy Shockey and Jason Taylor have both been traded this pre-season after asking to be traded and talking to the media about being unhappy.  Oddly enough, Shockey is another Rosenhaus Sports Representation client.

Rosenhaus made the hold out scenario famous, and he still is advising his players that holding out is not necessarily a bad tactic.  Although Drew appears to have changed his ways with the media and is not as vocal with the press, he still is getting the job done.  He is now dealing with managers and team officials before going to the media and has showed his clients the green lately.  But why is this not working with Chad Johnson?  Does he talk to the media too much?

Maybe it is time Drew talks to Chad and gives him the speech that Jerry Maguire gave Mr. Tidwell.  If Rosenhaus won’t tell Johnson to shut it for a while and just play, maybe the mutual agreement between the two parties (reviewing Ocho Cinco’s contract after the season) will get the hint across.  Johnson came back from his ankle surgery to practice for the first time on Monday.  Perhaps we will now see a less Chaddy side of Johnson.

Baseball

• The Nationals had no problem signing its top draft picks last year, but this year, no such luck thus far [Top Five Picks, Team at Odds Over Bonuses].
• Goodbye to a man who opened up a new market for agents recruiting foreign clients [Nomo's impact hit Majors like a 'tornado'].
• We’ve discussed buscones before.  Here is one tied to our boy, Michael Inoa [Ties between Dominican prospects and bookie raise concerns for MLB].
• I am still not convinced that Gus is guilty [Despite smuggling conviction, agent has no regrets].

Basketball

• The Vegas Summer League has experienced tremendous growth [Summer League on firm ground].
• Is there a higher valued position player than a superstar point guard right now? [Report: Jazz, Williams agree to four-year, $70M extension].
• adidas better get ready to send me a pair [Bulls' Rose gets shoe deal].

Football

• The other Long has signed, meaning that the top 4 picks are with their respective teams for the start of training camp [Rams first-round pick Long agrees to six-year deal].
• Jason Taylor to the Redskins…Jeremy Shockey to the Saints.  Two of my favorite players no longer playing for my favorite teams.
• Brian Urlacher has the potential to make $43.5 million between now and when he turns 35-years-old [Sources: Urlacher to get raise with revised contract].
• The Chargers are showing a lot of faith in someone who is injury prone [Chargers DE Castillo gets $43M in 5-year extension].