A few weeks ago, Jason Schwartz of The Daily (News Corp’s new iPad magazine) contacted me because he was working on a story about how NFL players are weathering the Lockout financially and wanted to hear about my thoughts with regards to the loans being taken out by these players.  He ended up getting quite a group of industry leaders to contribute to his piece (IN THE POCKET: Some NFL players turn to high-risk loans to make ends meet)

Here is my contribution:

Another reason players are borrowing now — before even missing a major payday — is that they may be afraid credit will dry up if the lockout continues into the NFL season, said Darren Heitner, an agent and the author of sportsagentblog.com. After all, if interest rates are this high now, what will they be like when players start to miss game checks and lenders know they are even less likely to be repaid?

Other quotes in the article come from Deion Sanders, Rick Smith of Priority Sports, Leon McKenzie of Sure Sports Lending, Jason Yorker of AGR Sports Funding, three-time Pro Bowl tight end Chad Lewis, and Ted Reid of Morgan Stanley.

I’m not going to judge as to whether guys like Yorker are in the right or wrong with regards to offering loans fully equipped with 30% interest rates.  What I will say is that it is sad that it has gotten to the point where such loans are necessary.  Are athletes looking for lower interest rate loans and just not finding them?  NFL owners will recognize that players are above their heads in debt and will use it to their advantage to break the ranks within the NFLPA the longer that this Lockout persists.

NFL Lockout Fallout: Players Taking High-Risk Loans from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

• Jimmy Sexton – Co-Founder, SportsTrust Advisors
• Tom Condon – Football Agent, CAA
• Rick Smith – Agent, Priority Sports
• Mark Levin – Director of Salary Cap and Agent Administration, NFLPA
• Ray Anderson – VP of Football Operations, NFL
• Julie Roe Lach – VP Enforcement, NCAA
• Rachel Newman Baker – Director of Agent, Gambling and Amateurism Activities, NCAA
• Stacey Osburn – Associate Director of Public and Media Relations, NCAA
• Mike Slive – SEC Commisioner
• Larry Scott – Pac-10 Conference Commissioner
• Multiple Pac-10 Athletic Directors
• Pat Haden – Athletic Director, USC
• Dave Roberts – VP Athletic Compliance, USC

I believe the most forward thinking idea proposed by Haden at the Summit was to hire a recent graduate “to act as an ombudsman who can be a counselor and be viewed as independent.”  If Haden and other Athletic Directors want this particular plan to be effective, they will have to choose someone for each campus who is close enough with the players to gain access when appropriate, but cannot be afraid to report violations.  Furthermore, I think the last thing this person would provide is newfound trust between student-athletes and school administrators.  How can a department claim that someone it employs is also independent?  Instead, the new ombudsman may further the divide and cause student-athletes to become more wary of administrators’ motives.  However, I agree that something must be done to curb violations, and this particular idea may be a good starting point.  Haden also talked a bit about using “extenders.”

Dave Roberts also talked about the use of “extenders” to help educate players.  And he recognizes that the education needs to occur at a very early stage.

Talk is great.  Actions are better.

University of Southern California’s Agent Summit from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Football

• Joe Panos won’t give advice to players regarding leaving school early for the NFL [Watt 'loves to compete with the best,' ex-Badger Panos says].
• Trying to avoid a knee-jerk reaction [NCAA likely won't propose emergency legislation regarding Newton case at this week's convention].
• Marvin Austin will appear in the East-West Shrine Game on January 22nd [Disgraced Tar Heel Austin to play in all-star game].
• The stories that future agents really need to read [A ruthless business].

Basketball

• Rick Smith thinks basketball will be harder to control than football [NCAA targets agent problem].

Sports Business

• My man Jason Belzer poses a good question on MSNBC [Business Answers: Marketing & Angel Funding].
• Ted Forstmann doesn’t like IMG being referred to as an agency [IMG's Ted Forstmann talks gambling, global sports growth].
• A 72-year-old member of the tribe [‘Most interesting man’ keeps drinkers thirsty for Dos Equis].

Shabbat Shalom: Friday Wrap-Up (1/14/2011) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

The participants in the most recent meeting included (agent names in bold):

• Ray Anderson, NFL, Executive Vice President of Football Operations
• Ron Hill, NFL, Vice President of Football Operations
• Merton Hanks, NFL, Director of Football Operations
• Rich McKay, President, Atlanta Falcons
• Bill Polian, President, Indianapolis Colts
• Arthur McAfee, NFL Players Association, Counsel
• James Guidry, NFL Players Association, Collegiate Affairs Manager
• Grant Teaff, American Football Coaches Association, Executive Director
• Jim Delany, Commissioner, Big Ten Conference
• Mike Slive, Commissioner, Southeastern Conference
• Greg Sankey, Associate Commissioner, Southeastern Conference
• Jeff Hawkins, University of Oregon, Director of Football Operations
• Mike Powell, Texas Secretary of State Office, Managing Attorney
• James Sexton, agent, Athletic Resource Management
• Fletcher Smith, agent, Blueprint Sports Group
• Rick Smith, agent, Priority Sports & Entertainment
• Rachel Newman Baker, NCAA, Director of Agent, Gambling and Amateurism
• Scott Bearby, NCAA, Interim Vice President of Legal Affairs/General Counsel
• David Berst, NCAA, Vice President for Division I Governance
• Dennis Poppe, NCAA, Vice President for Baseball and Football
• David Price, NCAA, Vice President of Enforcement
• Naima Stevenson, NCAA, Director of Legal Affairs/Assistant General Counsel

Smart agent selections.  After doing some research, I was not able to find a single NFLPA disciplinary action against any of the three agents.  I like the fact that it is not all white agents, either (Fletcher Smith is black).  And the three agents have quite a bit of experience as Contract Advisors.  Fletcher Smith currently represents Kelvin Hayden, Darryl Tapp, Antwaan Randle-El, Lofa Tatupu, and Donovan McNabb.  Rick Smith currently represents 18 clients including Alan Faneca, Jake Delhomme, and Nate Kaeding.  Sexton has over 30 clients (and quite a few coaches) including Michael Oher, DeAngelo Williams, Peyton Hillis, and Tim Tebow.

Joe Schad of ESPN.com reports that this group has discussed the possibility of post-NCAA financial penalties against college players who accept money or other benefits from agents.  This would be an interesting and needed shift away from focusing solely on reprimanding agents for providing illegal gifts.  With proper education for student-athletes in place, they have no “ignorance excuse” and should also suffer the consequences of possibly tarnishing their collegiate institutions.

Among the penalties being considered are suspensions of up to 8 games in length and financial penalties (fines).

Jimmy Sexton, Fletcher Smith, And Rick Smith Amongst Leaders Looking To Fix Football Agent Issues from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

ROUND 1

1. Sam Bradford – QB – Rams – (Creative Artists Agency – Tom Condon/Ben Dogra)

2. Ndamukong Suh – DT – Lions – (Maximum Sports – Eugene Parker/Roosevelt Barnes)

3. Gerald McCoy – DT – Buccaneers (Creative Artists Agency/Kelli Masters)

4. Trent Williams – OT – Redskins (Maximum Sports – Eugene Parker/Roosevelt Barnes)

5. Eric Berry – S – Chiefs (Allegiant Athletic Agency – Chad Speck)

6. Russell Okung – OT – Seahawks (All-Pro Sports – Peter Schaffer/Lamont Smith)

7. Joe Haden – DB – Browns (DSI Sports – Malik Hafeez Shareef)

8. Rolando McClain – ILB – Raiders (ProFiles – Pat Dye Jr.)

9. C.J. Spiller – RB – Bills (Pro Tect Management – Gary Wichard)

10. Tyson Alualu – DT -  Jaguars (Priority Sports – Mark Bartelstein/Tony Hickombottom/Mike McCartney/Rick Smith/Kenny Zuckerman)

11. Anthony Davis – OT – 49ers (320 Sports – Sanat “Sunny” Shah)

12. Ryan Mathews – RB – Chargers (Sun West Sports – Angelo Wright)

13. Brandon Graham – OLB – Eagles (BEST – Joel Segal)

14. Earl Thomas – S – Seahawks (Athletes First – David Dunn/Joby Branion/Mark Humenik/Andrew Kessler/Justin Schulman)

15. Jason Pierre-Paul – DE – Giants (Rosenhaus Sports – Drew Rosenhaus)

16. Derrick Morgan – DE – Titans (Creative Artists Agency – Tom Condon/Ben Dogra)

17. Mike Iupati – OG – 49ers (Rep 1 Sports – Ryan Tollner)

18. Maurkice Pouncey – C – Steelers (BEST – Joel Segal)

19. Sean Weatherspoon – OLB – Falcons (Athletes First – David Dunn/Joby Branion/Mark Humenik/Andrew Kessler/Justin Schulman)

20. Kareem Jackson – DB – Texans (Impact Sports)

21. Jermaine Gresham – TE – Bengals (Creative Artists Agency – Tom Condon/Ben Dogra)

22. Demaryius Thomas – WR – Broncos (FAAM – Todd France)

23. Bryan Bulaga – OT – Packers (Creative Artists Agency – Tom Condon/Ben Dogra)

24. Dez Bryant – WR – Cowboys (Maximum Sports – Eugene Parker/Roosevelt Barnes)

25. Tim Tebow – QB – Broncos (Athletic Resource Mgmt – Jimmy Sexton)

26. Dan Williams – DT – Cardinals (FAAM – Todd France)

27. Devin McCourty – DB – Patriots (PlayersRep – Andy Simms/Wesley Spencer)

28. Jared Odrick – DT – Dolphins (All-Pro Sports – Peter Schaffer/Lamont Smith)

29. Kyle Wilson – DB – Jets (BEST – Joel Segal)

30. Jahvid Best – RB – Lions (Impact Sports)

31. Jerry Hughes – OLB – Colts (Creative Artists Agency – Tom Condon/Ben Dogra)

32. Patrick Robinson – DB – Saints (Universal Sports – Kevin Conner)

ROUND 2

33. Rodger Saffold – OT – Rams (SportStars)

34. Chris Cook – DB – Vikings (Enter-Sports – Hadley Engelhard)

35. Brian Price – DT – Buccaneers (4th and 9 Sports – Chuck Price)

36. Dexter McCluster – RB – Chiefs (SportStars)

37. Nate Allen – S – Eagles (FAAM – Todd France)

38. T.J. Ward – S – Browns (Synergy Sports – Gary Glick)

39. Arrelious Benn – WR – Buccaneers (Pro Tect Management – Gary Wichard)

40. Koa Misi – OLB – Dolphins (Priority Sports – Mark Bartelstein/Tony Hickombottom/Mike McCartney/Rick Smith/Kenny Zuckerman)

41. Torell Troup – DT – Bills (Dow, Lohnes LLC)

42. Rob Gronkowski – TE – Patriots (Rosenhaus Sports – Drew Rosenhaus)

43. Sergio Kindle – OLB – Ravens (BEST – Joel Segal)

44. Lamarr Houston – DT – Raiders (Willis & Woy Sports Group – Jordan Woy/Chad Willis)

45. Zane Beadles – OG – Broncos (Rep 1 Sports – Ryan Tollner)

46. Linval Joseph – DT – Giants (ProFiles – Pat Dye Jr.)

47. Daryl Washington – OLB – Cardinals (Willis & Woy Sports Group – Jordan Woy/Chad Willis)

48. Jimmy Clausen – QB – Panthers (Pro Tect Management – Gary Wichard)

49. Taylor Mays – S – 49ers (Pro Tect Management – Gary Wichard)

50. Javier Arenas – DB – Chiefs (All-Pro Sports – Peter Schaffer/Lamont Smith)

51. Toby Gerhart – RB – Vikings (Athletes First – David Dunn/Joby Branion/Mark Humenik/Andrew Kessler/Justin Schulman)

52. Jason Worilds – OLB – Steelers (XAM Sports – Scott Smith)

53. Jermaine Cunningham – OLB – Patriots (SportStars)

54. Carlos Dunlap – DE – Bengals (FAAM – Todd France)

55. Sean Lee – ILB – Cowboys (Priority Sports – Mark Bartelstein/Tony Hickombottom/Mike McCartney/Rick Smith/Kenny Zuckerman)

56. Michael Neal – DT – Packers (Maximum Sports – Eugene Parker/Roosevelt Barnes)

57. Terrence Cody – DT – Ravens (Corporate Athletic Mgmt – Alvin Keels)

58. Ben Tate – RB – Texans (All-Pro Sports – Peter Schaffer/Lamont Smith)

59. Montario Hardesty – RB – Browns (Impact Sports)

60. Golden Tate – WR – Seahawks (FAAM – Todd France)

61. Vladimir Ducasse – OG – Jets (JL Sports – Joe Linta)

62. Brandon Spikes – ILB – Patriots (Watson Sports Agency – Terry Watson)

63. Patrick Angerer – ILB – Colts (JB Sports – Jack Bechta)

64. Charles Brown – OT – Saints (Premier Sports – Gary Uberstein/Eric Kaufman)

ROUND 3

65. Jerome Murphy – DB – Rams (Rosenhaus Sports – Drew Rosenhaus)

66. Amari Spievey – DB – Lions (PlayersRep – Andy Simms/Nate Haber)

67. Myron Lewis – DB – Buccaneers (Rosenhaus Sports – Drew Rosenhaus)

68. Jon Asamoah – OG – Chiefs (Lock, Metz, Malinovic)

69. Edwin Veldheer – OT – Raiders (Priority Sports – Mark Bartelstein/Tony Hickombottom/Mike McCartney/Rick Smith/Kenny Zuckerman)

70. Ed Dickson – TE – Ravens (The NOVO Agency)

71. Morgan Burnett – S – Packers (Universal Sports – Kevin Conner)

72. Alex Carrington – DE – Bills (Maximum Sports – Eugene Parker/Roosevelt Barnes)

73. John Jerry – OG – Dolphins (BC Sports – Bus Cook)

74. D’Anthony Smith – DT – Jaguars (BC Sports – Bus Cook)

75. Major Wright – S – Bears (Impact Sports)

76. Chad Jones – S – Giants (Alliance Mgmt – Glenn Schwartzman)

77. Damian Williams – WR – Titans (Athletes First – David Dunn/Joby Branion/Mark Humenik/Andrew Kessler/Justin Schulman)

78. Brandon LaFell – WR – Panthers (E. Overstreet Sports – Brian Overstreet)

79. Donald Butler – ILB – Chargers (Maximum Sports – Eugene Parker/Roosevelt Barnes)

80. J.D. Walton – C – Broncos (ProFiles – Pat Dye Jr.)

81. Earl Mitchell – DT – Texans (BTI Sports – Brad Leshnock/Joe Flanagan)

82. Emmanuel Sanders – WR – Steelers (Willis & Woy Sports Group – Jordan Woy/Chad Willis)

83. Corey Peters – DT – Falcons (HOF Player Representatives - Greg “Tripp” Linton/David J. Calevski/Michael Puterbaugh)

84. Jordan Shipley – WR – Bengals (ProFiles – Pat Dye Jr.)

85. Colt McCoy – QB – Browns (Athletes First – David Dunn/Joby Branion/Mark Humenik/Andrew Kessler/Justin Schulman)

86. Daniel Te’o-Nesheim – DE – Eagles (Premier Sports – Gary Uberstein/Eric Kaufman)

87. Eric Decker – WR – Broncos (FAAM – Todd France)

88. Andre Roberts – WR – Cardinals (XAM Sports – Scott Smith)

89. Armanti Edwards – WR – Panthers (BEST – Joel Segal)

90. Taylor Price – WR – Patriots (BTI Sports – Brad Leshnock/Joe Flanagan)

91. Navorro Bowman – OLB – 49ers (Rosenhaus Sports – Drew Rosenhaus)

92. Shawn Lauvao – OG – Browns (Athletes First – David Dunn/Joby Branion/Mark Humenik/Andrew Kessler/Justin Schulman)

93. Tony Moeaki – TE – Chiefs  (JB Sports – Jack Bechta)

94. Kevin Thomas – DB – Colts (Premier Sports – Gary Uberstein/Eric Kaufman)

95. Jimmy Graham – TE – Saints (Athletic Resource Mgmt – Jimmy Sexton)

96. Brandon Ghee – DB – Bengals (Octagon – Mike Sullivan)

97. Rennie Curran – OLB – Titans (Priority Sports – Mark Bartelstein/Tony Hickombottom/Mike McCartney/Rick Smith/Kenny Zuckerman)

98. Mike Johnson – OG – Falcons (ProFiles – Pat Dye Jr.)

ROUND 4

99. Mardy Gilyard – WR – Rams (PlayersRep – Andy Simms/Dave Lee)

100. Everson Griffen – DE – Vikings (Pro Tect Management – Gary Wichard)

101. Mike Williams – WR – Buccaneers (Enter-Sports – Hadley Engelhard)

102. Darryl Sharpton – ILB – Texans (Rosenhaus Sports – Drew Rosenhaus)

103. Perry Riley – OLB – Redskins (BEST – Joel Segal)

104. Alterraun Verner – DB – Titans (Priority Sports – Mark Bartelstein/Tony Hickombottom/Mike McCartney/Rick Smith/Kenny Zuckerman)

105. Trevard Lindley – DB – Eagles (GAME – Ian Greengross)

106. Bruce Campbell – OT – Raiders (Rosenhaus Sports – Drew Rosenhaus)

107. Marcus Easley – WR – Bills (EMG Sports – Edward Wasielewski)

108. Jacoby Ford – WR – Raiders (FAAM – Todd France)

109. Corey Wootton – DE – Bears (Priority Sports – Mark Bartelstein/Tony Hickombottom/Mike McCartney/Rick Smith/Kenny Zuckerman)

110. Darrell Stuckey – S – Chargers (DeBartolo Sports)

111. Walter Thurmond – DB – Seahawks (BEST – Joel Segal)

112. Joe McKnight – RB – Jets (Maximum Sports – Eugene Parker/Roosevelt Barnes)

113. Aaron Hernandez – TE – Patriots (Athletes First – David Dunn/Joby Branion/Mark Humenik/Andrew Kessler/Justin Schulman)

114. Dennis Pitta   TE – Ravens (Athletes First – David Dunn/Joby Branion/Mark Humenik/Andrew Kessler/Justin Schulman)

115. Phillip Dillard – ILB – Giants (Banker Lopez Gassler)

116. Thaddeus Gibson – OLB – Steelers (Terra Firma Sports – Bradley Cicala)

117. Joseph Hawley – OG – Falcons (National Sports Agency – Kevin J. Omell/Marc Lillibridge)

118. Garrett Graham – TE – Texans (Athletes First – David Dunn/Joby Branion/Mark Humenik/Andrew Kessler/Justin Schulman)

119. A.J. Edds – OLB – Dolphins (JB Sports – Jack Bechta)

120. Gene Atkins – DT – Bengals (ProFiles – Pat Dye Jr.)

121. Keenan Clayton – OLB – Eagles (Maximum Sports – Eugene Parker/Roosevelt Barnes)

122. Michael Kafka – QB – Eagles (Priority Sports – Mark Bartelstein/Tony Hickombottom/Mike McCartney/Rick Smith/Kenny Zuckerman)

123. Al Woods – DT – Saints (Elias Sports – Albert Elias)

124. Eric Norwood – OLB – Panthers (FAAM – Todd France)

125. Clay Harbor – TE – Eagles (SportStars)

126. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah – DB – Cowboys (PlayersRep – Andy Simms/Nate Haber)

127. E.J. Wilson – DE – Seahawks (Enter-Sports – Hadley Engelhard)

128. Jason Fox – OT – Lions (Rosenhaus Sports – Drew Rosenhaus)

129. Jacques McClendon – OG – Colts (N/A)

130. O’Brien Schofield – OLB – Cardinals (The Institute for Athletes – Blake Baratz)

131. Roddrick Muckelroy – ILB – Bengals (Select Sports Group – Jeff Nalley)

ROUND 5

132. Mike Hoomanawanui – TE – Rams (Priority Sports – Mark Bartelstein/Tony Hickombottom/Mike McCartney/Rick Smith/Kenny Zuckerman)

133. Kam Chancellor – S – Seahawks (Business Arena)

134. Ricky Sapp – DE – Eagles (Impact Sports)

135. Dominique Franks – DB – Falcons (Octagon – Mike Sullivan)

136. Kendrick Lewis – S – Chiefs (BC Sports – Bus Cook)

137. Perrish Cox – DB – Broncos (Willis & Woy Sports Group – Jordan Woy/Chad Willis)

138. Walter McFadden – DB – Raiders (Rosenhaus Sports – Drew Rosenhaus)

139. John Conner – FB – Jets (HOF Player Representatives - Greg “Tripp” Linton/David J. Calevski/Michael Puterbaugh)

140. Edward Wang – OT – Bills (Octagon – Mike Sullivan)

141. Joshua Moore – DB – Bears (E Overstreet Sports – Brian Overstreet)

142. Cameron Sheffield – OLB – Chiefs (Enter-Sports – Hadley Engelhard)

143. Larry Hart – OLB – Jaguars (N/A)

144. Sherrick McManis – DB – Texans (JB Sports – Jack Bechta)

145. Nolan Carroll – DB – Dolphins (Integrated Sports – Chad Wiestling)

146. Cam Thomas – DT – Chargers (Enter-Sports – Hadley Engelhard)

147. Mitch Petrus – OG – Giants (SportStars)

148. Robert Johnson – S – Titans (N/A)

149. Hall Davis – DE – Rams (BEST – Joel Segal)

150. Zoltan Mesko – P – Patriots (Athletes First – David Dunn/Joby Branion/Mark Humenik/Andrew Kessler/Justin Schulman)

151. Chris Scott – OG – Steelers (Allegiant Athletic Agency – Chad Speck)

152. Otis Hudson – OT – Bengals (PTA Sports Management – Vinnie Porter)

153. Austen Lane – DE – Jaguars (XAM Sports – Scott Smith)

154. Andrew Quarless – TE – Packers (All-Pro Sports – Peter Schaffer/Lamont Smith)

155. John Skelton – QB – Cardinals (Schwartz & Feinsod – Jonathan Feinsod/Neil Schwartz)

156. David Reed – WR – Ravens (Synergy Sports – Gary Glick)

157. Arthur Jones – DT – Ravens (Lock, Metz, Malinovic)

158. Matt Tennant – C – Saints (Athletes First – David Dunn/Joby Branion/Mark Humenik/Andrew Kessler/Justin Schulman)

159. Riley Cooper – WR – Eagles (BEST – Joel Segal)

160. Larry Asante – S – Browns (Select Sports Group – Jeff Nalley)

161. Chris DeGeare – OG – Vikings (ETL Associates – Eugene T. Lee)

162. Brody Eldridge – TE – Colts (Select Sports Group – Jeff Nalley)

163. Reshad Jones – S – Dolphins (BEST – Joel Segal)

164. Crezdon Butler – DB – Steelers  (Rosenhaus Sports – Drew Rosenhaus)

165. Kerry Meier – WR – Falcons (Select Sports Group – Jeff Nalley)

166. Stevenson Sylvester – OLB – Steelers (Premier Sports – Gary Uberstein/Eric Kaufman)

167. Nathan Triplett – ILB – Vikings (Domann & Pittman – Craig Domann/Drew Pittman)

168. Jonathan Crompton – QB – Chargers (Joel Turner)

169. Marshall Newhouse – OG – Packers  (Willis & Woy Sports Group – Jordan Woy/Chad Willis)

ROUND 6

170. Fendi Onobun – TE – Rams (Select Sports Group – Graylan Crain)

171. Shann Schillinger – S – Falcons (N/A)

172. Brent Bowden – P – Buccaneers (RSR Sports Management – Robert Roche)

173. Anthony Dixon – RB – 49ers (BC Sports – Bus Cook)

174. Dennis Morris – TE – Redskins (N/A)

175. Greg Hardy – DE – Panthers (GAME – Ian Greengross)

176. Rusty Smith – QB – Titans (Ascent Sports – Tom Mills)

177. Carlton Mitchell – WR – Browns (Domann & Pittman – Craig Domann/Drew Pittman)

178. Arthur Moats – OLB – Bills (JL Sports – Joe Linta)

179. Sam Young – OT – Cowboys (Rosenhaus Sports – Drew Rosenhaus)

180. Deji Karim – RB – Jaguars (N/A)

181. Dan LeFevour – QB – Bears (ProFiles – Pat Dye Jr.)

182. Nate Byham – TE – 49ers (Rep 1 Sports – Ryan Tollner)

183. Eric Olsen – C – Broncos (Athletes First – David Dunn/Joby Branion/Mark Humenik/Andrew Kessler/Justin Schulman)

184. Adrian Tracy – OLB – Giants (Goal Line Sports)

185. Anthony McCoy – TE – Seahawks (Priority Sports – Mark Bartelstein/Tony Hickombottom/Mike McCartney/Rick Smith/Kenny Zuckerman)

186. Clifton Geathers – DE – Browns (Corporate Athletic Mgmt – Alvin Keels)

187. Shelley Smith – OG – Texans (Ascent Sports – Tom Mills)

188. Jonathan Dwyer – RB – Steelers (Dow, Lohnes LLC)

189. Eugene Sims – DE – Rams (James Cook)

190. Travis Goethel – ILB – Raiders (Derrick Fox, Inc. – Derrick Fox)

191. Dezmon Briscoe – WR – Bengals (Premier Sports – Gary Uberstein/Eric Kaufman)

192. Dan Batten – DE – Bills (N/A)

193. James Starks – RB – Packers (SportStars)

194. Ramon Harewood – OT – Ravens (N/A)

195. Antonio Brown – WR – Steelers (Rosenhaus Sports – Drew Rosenhaus)

196. Jamar Wall – DB – Cowboys (Select Sports Group – Jeff Nalley)

197. Trindon Holliday – Texans (GAME – Ian Greengross)

198. David Gettis – WR – Panthers (Stinson Morrison Hecker)

199. Joe Webb – QB – Vikings (ProFiles – Pat Dye Jr.)

200. Charles Scott – RB – Eagles (SportStars)

201. Jorrick Calvin – DB – Cardinals (N/A)

202. Jordon Pugh – DB – Panthers (N/A)

203. Scotty McGee – DB – Jaguars (National Sports Management – J.R. Rickert)

204. Tony Pike – QB – Panthers (Rep 1 Sports – Ryan Tollner)

205. Ted Larsen – C – Patriots (Eastern Athletic Services – Tony Agnone)

206. Kyle Williams – WR – 49ers (Gaylord Sports – Zeke Sandhu)

207. Myron Rolle – S – Titans (BEST – Joel Segal)

ROUND 7

208. Thomas Welch – OT – Patriots (ProFiles – Pat Dye Jr.)

209. Levi Brown – QB – Bills (JL Sports – Joe Linta)

210. Cody Grimm- S – Buccaneers (Lock, Metz, Malinovic)

211. Marquis Johnson – DB – Rams (N/A)

212. Chris McCoy – OLB – Dolphins (N/A)

213. Willie Young – DE – Lions (VSM Sports)

214. Mickey Shuler – TE – Vikings (N/A)

215. Jeremy Ware – DB – Raiders (N/A)

216. Kyle Calloway – OT – Bills (SportStars)

217. Dekoda Watson – OLB – Buccaneers (Universal Sports – Kevin Conner)

218. J’marcus Webb – OT – Bears (N/A)

219. Terrence Austin – WR – Redskins (N/A)

220. Jamar Chaney – ILB – Eagles (Ayrault Sports Agency – Brian Ayrault)

221. Matt Dodge – P – Giants (ProFiles – Pat Dye Jr.)

222. Marc Mariani – WR – Titans (N/A)

223. R.J. Stanford – DB – Panthers (N/A)

224. Phillip Adams – DB – 49ers (N/A)

225. Syd’Quan Thompson – DB – Broncos (Octagon – Mike Sullivan)

226. George Selvie – DE – Rams (Priority Sports – Mark Bartelstein/Tony Hickombottom/Mike McCartney/Rick Smith/Kenny Zuckerman)

227. Dorin Dickerson – TE – Texans (PlayersRep – Andy Simms/Nate Haber)

228. Reginald Stephens – OG – Bengals (N/A)

229. Erik Cook – OG – Redskins (Plan B Sports – Brian K. Hamilton)

230. C.J. Wilson – DE – Packers (ProFiles – Pat Dye Jr.)

231. Selvish Capers – OT – Redskins (PlayersRep – Andy Simms/Nate Haber)

232. Jammie Kirlew – DE – Broncos (SportStars)

233. Jim Dray – TE – Cardinals (JL Sports – Joe Linta)

234. Sean Lissemore – DT – Cowboys (N/A)

235. Dedrick Epps – TE – Chargers (Tessler Sports – Brett Tessler)

236. Dexter Davis – OLB – Seahawks (Impact Sports)

237. Ryan D’Imperio – ILB – Vikings (N/A)

238. Ricardo Mathews – DT – Colts (N/A)

239. Sean Canfield – QB – Saints (Athletes First – David Dunn/Joby Branion/Mark Humenik/Andrew Kessler/Justin Schulman)

240. Kavell Conner – OLB – Colts (JL Sports – Joe Linta)

241. David Howard – DT – Titans (N/A)

242. Doug Worthington – DE – Steelers (Terra Firma Sports)

243. Jeffrey Owens – DT – Eagles (Ayrault Sports Agency – Brian Ayrault)

244. Kurt Coleman – S – Eagles (The Institute for Athletes – Blake Baratz)

245. Jameson Konz – FB – Seahawks (N/A)

246. Ray Fisher – DB – Colts (N/A)

247. Brandon Deaderick – DE – Patriots (Perennial Sports – Lamell McMorris)

248. Kade Weston – DT – Patriots (N/A)

249. Robert McClain – DB – Panthers (EMG Sports – Ed Wasielewski)

250. Zac Robinson – QB – Patriots (Athletes First – David Dunn/Joby Branion/Mark Humenik/Andrew Kessler/Justin Schulman)

251. Steven Brown – S – Raiders (N/A)

252. Austin Spitler – OLB – Dolphins (N/A)

253. Erik Lorig – DE – Buccaneers (Yee & Dubin – Donald Yee/Stephen Dubin)

254. Josh Hull – ILB – Rams (JL Sports – Joe Linta)

255. Timothy Toone – WR – Lions (N/A)

The 2010 NFL Draft Pick/Agent Selection Master List from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

More recently, Anquan Boldin dropped Drew Rosenhaus for Tom Condon and Creative Artists Agency (CAA).  And yesterday, Cardinals GM Rod Graves expressed his excitement to work with Boldin’s new agents. 

Asked if there would be enough money under the salary cap to sign Boldin this year, Graves said, “It will have some challenges. There’s certainly cause for some give and take and creativity on both sides, but Tom’s been noted for that. Again, I just look forward to sitting with him and we’ll find out where we are at that point.”

I never saw a quote like that from Graves when Rosenhaus was on the other side of the negotiation table.

It seems as though GMs and other team personnel definitely play favorites when it comes to sports agents.  While Graves and others might place Condon over Rosenhaus, does it necessarily mean anything?  As long as the agent gets his client the best deal possible, quotes in an article don’t mean a thing to me.

GMs Playing Favorites? from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

The Andre Smith sweepstakes is over.  For now.  The newest winner (if that’s what you want to call it): Alvin Keels of Global Management Group (GMG).  Just as a recap, here is how Andre has chewed up and spit out agents thus far (in chronological order).

1. DeBartolo Sports
2. GMG
3. Priority Sports

And now he’s back with Keels and GMG.  But wasn’t Smith supposed to actually be re-signing with Priority after firing the company prematurely?  That’s what his one time agent, Rick Smith, had thought.  On May 14, Rick Smith of Priority was saying that Andre Smith decided not to fire Priority Sports and that the Smiths were still tight.  Meanwhile, Alvin Keels was asking for his Twitter fans to root him on in winning back Andre Smith as a client. Rick Smith did not believe it (or did not tell the press he believed it) at the time, but Andre was not coming back to Priority.

Rick Smith is not happy.  Here is what he had to say to ProFootballTalk.com yesterday,

“In regards to Andre Smith, we are moving forward and devoting all of our attention on the high character, hard working and honest clients of Priority Sports.

“We were asked to come in at the last minute to provide credibility to his draft status and we succeeded in that task.  Soon after the draft, Andre Smith became a tremendous distraction to our company.  What we have subsequently determined is that Andre Smith does not match the culture of Priority Sports and the character of the clients we take so much pride in representing.

“This will be our final statement on this matter.”

Is this a hit at A) Andre Smith B) Alvin Keels or C) All of the Above.  I pick answer C.  Should we expect a response from Mr. Keels?  Will it be made from his Twitter account?

And wait, Priority just now found out that Andre Smith might have character issues?  Also, what are your thoughts on agencies/agents making these types of public statements?  Does the statement do more to help or harm Rick Smith and Priority Sports?

Andre Smith Re-Hires Keels. Priority Sports Pissed! from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Yesterday, I reported that Andre Smith dropped his third agent (Rick Smith of Priority Sports) and rumor had it that he was planning on re-signing one-time agent of Smith’s, Alvin Keels.  By the afternoon, the world was once again turned on its head.

Rick Smith was proclaiming that Andre Smith decided not to fire Priority Sports and that the Smiths were still tight.  Meanwhile, at around 2 p.m. EST, Alvin Keels was using his new Twitter toy.  He wrote, “How about this Andre Smith story? I’m in a heated battle right now to win his business back. We are in the bottom of the 9th. Root me on!“  According to Rick Smith, the game was postponed, because Andre is not leaving.

Hopefully, Jim Trotter, the guy who originally broke the story of Andre Smith dropping Priority Sports and later informed everyone that Smith would be re-signing the company, is less confused than I am.  Once we figure something out, I am sure Andre will shake things up again…he would not be my favorite 332 lb. person without those crazy antics of his.  For the meantime, until Andre Smith officially informs the NFLPA that he is rescinding his termination of Priority Sports, the 5-day waiting period before Smith can hire a new agent will run.  If by Friday Andre Smith has not yet re-signed Rick Smith and Priority, Andre will be able to sign with Alvin Keels or any other NFLPA agent that he likes on that particular day.

If I were partaking in some NFL football betting, I’d say that Andre has a lot of people talking in his ears right now.  In fact, I don’t think he’s close to making up his mind on who to select.  One day it could be Keels, the next, Rick Smith.  The fact that I have no idea how this will turn out is exactly why I stay away from sports betting.

All I know is that Eddie DeBartolo must be laughing his ass off watching everything that has gone down since Smith originally moved on to Keels.

Why Not Let Andre Smith Speak For Himself? from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules