We figured/hoped that, sooner or later, someone in the “real” media would pick up on the question of whether agents who represent multiple guys projected to go at the top of the draft have a conflict of interest, even if the players don’t play the same position.
We think that it’s definitely a problem, and that it played out earlier this week as Tom Condon of CAA was negotiating with the Dolphins for Jake Long to be the first overall pick in the draft, and Ben Dogra of CAA presumably wasn’t calling Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano and anyone else connected to the Dolphins organization (and a few who aren’t) to try to persuade them that Vernon Gholston would do a deal for less money than what Long wanted.
Finally, the problem is getting some attention. Tom Van Riper of Forbes.com has put together a very good article regarding the problem . . . except for the part where he gets quotes from some Internet hack.
Tom, didn’t anyone tell you that those guys who write blogs are full of sh-t? Maybe we should have given him Howard Eskin’s phone number.
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April 25th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I’ll bet most people don’t know who Howard Eskin is. Listening to him right now, he really is a jerk!
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April 25th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Hey, why are you picking on a bona fide gossip radio host? Howard Eskin is a classic piece of SH!T
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April 25th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Hey Mike, I don’t know. It’s a bit difficult to regulate something like that unless literally every first round prospect had a different agency.
Also, what are you wearing right now? I always imagine you posting your blog wearing any from the following:
A pair of heavily stained Y fronts
A medallion of some description
One of those Russian hats
Also, smoking heavily.
I have way too much time on my hands.
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April 25th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Hey FlorioPhilly. That station he is on has some good hosts between the morning folks and him. But he is the worst. I used to live near Philly and would listen to him on occasion. I hate how Eskin turns his SPORTS show into a political forum.
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April 25th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I hate to ask stupid questions but is there a chance that Gholston said he would not sign for less if taken at that spot?
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April 25th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Interesting. I wonder if anyone gets in trouble.
Importantly, what’s the solution? Only allow an agent to represent one person? What can be done?
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April 25th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
naw, he has to be wearin a tutu and nipple rings
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April 25th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Not to turn this into a Rip Eskin forum (although that could merit its own blog, I’m sure), but last year, a guy called into his show (WIP radio in Philadelphia) saying how much he likes Kevin Kolb, and how he thinks the Eagles will draft him. Eskin barely let him get a word in edgewise, and basically berated the caller for suggesting the Eagles would draft anyone other than John Beck, and since Eskin is a close, personal friend of Andy Reid’s, and Reid told him it would be Beck, the caller was a complete idiot.
You weren’t the caller, right Mike? Cuz I’d listen to you over Eskin.
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