We always hear about NFL players firing their agents for guys like Drew Rosenhaus and Tom Condon, but it is rarely reported when big name agents lose a client.  The main reason for that, though, is that it is a rare occurrence that RSR or CAA has a football client leave them for a rival agency.  Unfortunately for Condon and CAA, they just had a three-time Pro Bowl selection named Shawne Merriman switch to David Dunn and Athletes First.

As stated, Merriman has been invited to the Pro Bowl three times in his career.  The bad news, is that the last time he received an invite was in 2007.  Over the past two years, Merriman has only racked up a combined four sacks.  Merriman, still believing that he is one of the best pass rushers in the league, was likely upset that Condon and CAA were unable to get him a long term contract.  As of right now, Merriman is still unsigned as a restricted free agent.

Will David Dunn save the day?  Interestingly, Dunn may have some problems on his hands with the addition of Merriman.  Mike Florio brings up the point that Merriman might have fired CAA and hired Athletes First within a 5 day period, which is not permitted by the NFLPA regulations (must wait 5 days before hiring a new agent).  But this is all under the assumption that Merriman recently fired Condon.  It could have happened over a week ago, and just wasn’t reported.

So Condon says goodbye to Merriman, but hello to Vince Young, who joins CAA after leaving Major Adams.  Amazing to think that Vince is still on his Rookie deal.  It sure has been a roller-coaster for him so far, but perhaps CAA has more upside with Young than with Merriman.

On To The Next One: Shawne Merriman & Vince Young from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Jay Cutler has agreed to a 2-year/$30 million contract extension with the Chicago Bears; this contract includes $20 million in guaranteed money. Cutler is scheduled to make about $50 million. The possibility of a lockout in 2011 made Cutler’s agent, Bus Cook, more eager to get his client some guaranteed cash.

Cutler was drafted 11th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. Here is a list of the quarterbacks drafted in the first round of 2006 and what they are getting paid:

• Vince Young – 3rd overall – 6 years/$58 million
• Matt Leinart – 10th overall – 6 years/$50.8 million

The crazy thing about these quarterbacks is that Young and Leinart are both riding the pine pony.

**Side Note: Kyle Orton (Cutler’s replacement in Denver) is scheduled to make $995,000 in 2009

Cutler Gets a New Cut from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Rodney Vannerson, Enos Cabell and Tom Roberson were the individuals listed as “three friends” in the complaint filed in a Houston District Court on December 12th.  Young got his nickname “Invinceable” after winning the Rose bowl almost single-handedly in 2006.  ”VY” was a nickname he grew up with as a child.

Vince’s agent, Major Adams, has stated that he has been held back from marketing and shoe deals (Reebok being one of the bigger names) because of these trademarks that his friends got without his knowledge.  Vince said he was only made aware of the trademarks after he was selected in the draft.  The friends filed for the trademarks the day after the national championship victory early in 2006.

Now that Vince is back taking snaps, backing-up Kerry Collins in Tennessee, he seems likely to stay there.  Jeff Fischer has said that he still likes Vince and intends for him to be a starter again sometime.  Although Kerry Collins has the team looking good this season, Vince’s stock will certainly rise again, and when it does, he wants to have those nicknames as possible brand names.

But will his justification hold up in court as a valid defense for his lack of trademarking the names before his friends?  Does he have any rights to his nicknames, or will he have to buy his “three friends” out to get the names legally?

Vincesanity from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules