Medical update on Anderson and Winslow

By Carlos "Big C" Holmes | Monday, December 1, 2008, 04:42 PM

The latest reports coming out of Cleveland are that quarterback Derek Anderson and tight end Kellen Winslow each underwent an MRI earlier today for injuries suffered in Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.

According to the Browns organization, the results of the MRI revealed Anderson has a tear in his left MCL that will not require surgery. He will be placed in a brace and is expected to recover in 4-6 weeks.

Winslow’s MRI results revealed a high left ankle sprain. He will be in a walking boot for up to a week and is out for this Sunday’s game at Tennessee.

Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment

How real is Jerry Maguire in the NFL?

By Carlos "Big C" Holmes | Monday, December 1, 2008, 12:07 PM

I recently had the pleasure of watching the movie Jerry Maguire for the very first time. The funny thing is when you hear the words Sports Agent, most people tend to associate the profession with the character played by Tom Cruise in the movie — some Don Johnson suit wearing dude who looks like he just walked off the set of Miami Vice.

Nate Haber - PlayersRep Sports Management

In the movie, Cruise played the role of a top sports agent who was trying to negotiate a contract for his client Rod Tidwell, played by Cuba Gooding Jr., for more than the player was worth as a second-tier wide receiver much like you see in the real world with pro athletes.

The movie contained the memorable and famed quote “Show me the money!” which appears to be the motto of some of today’s high-profile athletes.

The movie got me thinking about a few things. Is being an agent really that glamorous? Just how far will an agent go to please his or her client? And is it really all about the cold hard cash or does dignity sometime come into play?

To satisfy my curiosity, I turned to a few well established sports agencies to shed some light on the misunderstood profession.

Topics of interest:

What is the role of an agent?

“The role of an agent is to make sure that the client is not only represented to the fullest, but protected as well. Of course the agent’s main purpose is to negotiate the best contract he or she can negotiate on behalf of the player.

“Like I say to all the guys that I talk to and recruit, contacts only come up every three, four or five years, so what are you doing in between those times. There are so many roles that you play as an agent, but most importantly is probably protecting the players. When I say protecting I mean making sure that they are setup with the right financial advisors. Also making sure that anything in their life both professionally and personally is taking care of — taking out a loan on a home, buying a car, or negotiating deals with a certain product company.

“In this business these guys are sought after by so many different people because they’re targets. At the end of the day, our goal is to protect our clients.”

~ Sports agent Nate Haber, PlayersRep Sports Management, clients include LB Landon Johnson of the Carolina Panthers~

Is there any dishonesty in the sports management business?

“Absolutely! I think there’s a lot more people who operate with integrity and ethics than people who don’t. Unfortunately, the people who don’t get a bad rap and we all end up being painted with the same brush. You can argue whether or not it’s fair, but that’s reality. For every situation of individuals where something has been proven to occur that is unethical we all get lumped into the same pot of soup. I don’t necessarily feel that is right.

“I think there are a lot of good people out there who really do operate with some pretty high principals of integrity and make decisions in the best interest of their client and not necessarily themselves.”

~ NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball agent JR Rickert, whose clients include Josh Cribbs of the Cleveland Browns~

What separates different agencies?

“Sometimes it’s the approach and the ethics of who’s behind it. One of the things at Sterling Sports Management that we pride ourselves on is doing things in an ethical manner and having our client recognize their best interest is at heart.

“Of the agents in our firm, we are all Christian and we are attempting to live our lives to glorify Christ. That’s a little bit of a different angle as well because it could actually hurt you if an athlete knows that you are of that faith. Nevertheless in our agency that’s important to each one of us.”

~ Sports agent Jeff Chilcoat, whose clients include DT John Henderson of the Jacksonville Jaguars~

How much does money play a part in landing a client?

“For rookies, it’s a pretty pricey effort because of his pre-draft investment. To be an agent you certainly have to have the financial wherewithal to incur some of the cost associated with signing rookies. It’s a major factor.”

~ NFL agent Adisa Bakari, whose clients include RB Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jacksonville Jaguars~

How far off is the character in the movie Jerry Maguire from a real life agent?

“Well, you know that’s funny. I’ve heard different people take credit for who that character was based on. I’ve heard a few agents say that the character was based on them. It’s kind of funny listening to everybody.

“What I think was pretty dead on accurate about the character Tom Cruise played in the movie was the level that he took on a personal side. Over time not only did he develop a business model that changed when he lost his position with the firm, but he also changed his approach as an agent. He really grew and developed a personal relationship with his client. I think that happens quite a bit in real life.

“I know a lot of guys in the business who have close personal relationships with their clients, so I think that part of the movie is pretty accurate.”

~ NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball agent JR Rickert, whose clients include Josh Cribbs of the Cleveland Browns~

Life of an agent is often portrayed as being glamorous, is it?

“It certainly has its moments, Super Bowls, Pro Bowls, the ESPY Awards; things of that nature are definitely a part of it. However, being able to attend those events require that you have players participating in those glamorous events. Number one you have to have a certain cliental for it to be “glamorous”. Client generation, building the business, is not at all glamorous.

“As we talk, I’m on the road headed to an area that is not so glamorous. I’ll say this, for those thinking about becoming an agent, there has to be something more than money or the perceived glamour serving as inspiration.”

~ NFL agent Adisa Bakari, whose clients include RB Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jacksonville Jaguars~

During recruiting who is more relentless agents or Jehovah witnesses?

“(laughing) I don’t quite know how to answer that question. I will tell you that agents are pretty relentless when it comes to recruiting. That’s the best I can give you.”

~ Sports agent Nate Haber, PlayersRep Sports Management, clients include LB Landon Johnson of the Carolina Panthers~

Do you own any Don Johnson suits?

“No I do not. This agent does not own a Don Johnson giddy-up. However, I do dress for the occasion. It’s never a dull moment with you C.”

~ Sports agent Nate Haber, PlayersRep Sports Management, clients include LB Larry Grant of the St. Louis Rams~

Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment

Browns make roster moves

By Carlos "Big C" Holmes | Wednesday, November 26, 2008, 05:16 PM

The Cleveland Browns have signed LB Titus Brown from the practice squad to the active roster, the club announced today. The team also signed QB Richard Bartel to the practice squad and waived WR Steve Sanders from the active roster.

The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Brown is a rookie out of Mississippi State and has spent the first 12 weeks of the regular season on the team’s practice squad.

Bartel (6-3, 233) spent the entire 2007 season on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad. After leaving SMU, Bartel had a brief baseball career in the Cincinnati Reds system. He returned to school and finished his collegiate career at Tarleton State.

Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment

Rams to sign former Ohio State LB Larry Grant

By Carlos "Big C" Holmes | Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 11:06 AM

The 2-9 St. Louis Rams are looking to bolster its linebacking corp and are expected to sign former Ohio State LB Larry Grant to their 53-man roster later today. Grant was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2008 draft and placed on the team’s practice squad.

The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Grant is a versatile linebacker who took reps at all three linebacker positions while playing at Ohio State. He is likely to see some action on special-teams when the Rams take on the Miami Dolphins at home on Sunday.

Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment

Bengals’ Chad Johnson has a thing for Philly

By Carlos "Big C" Holmes | Thursday, November 13, 2008, 11:05 AM

Before the NFL trade deadline hit Oct. 14, there was talk of the Philadelphia Eagles being in the market to trade for a big-name receiver and Cincinnati Bengals Chad Johnson was believed to be on the list of potential prospects.

There was much speculation that Johnson might be on the trade block after repeated demands to be traded earlier in the year. The trade deadline came and went and Johnson remains with the 1-8 Bengals.

As the story goes, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was the voice of reason for Johnson during the turbulent times.

“I blew his (McNabb) phone up,” Johnson said Wednesday during a conference call with Philadelphia media. “Donovan was a big influence. (He) really is one of the reasons why I really turned myself around and looked at my situation as more of a positive outlook and just thinking about all the people that would love to play this game, you know?

“He took me in that direction, instead of thinking about, ‘Oh, I’m tired of losing and I don’t want to be here anymore,’ but just thinking about, ‘Man, a lot of people wish they were in your shoes just to have the ability to play in the NFL.’ That kind of turned me around, and that’s why I’ve been as positive as I have been this year, and even though we’re losing, man, I’ve just been plugging away.”

So did the Eagles have any interest in trading for the flamboyant receiver?

During head coach Andy Reid’s press conference Wednesday he put the kibosh on whether the Eagles ever entertained the idea of acquiring Johnson this season.

“He wasn’t free,” Reid said. “I mean, that’s the thing, and I respect (Bengals head coach) Marvin (Lewis) and the league way too much to ever get into something like that. He was always a Cincinnati Bengal.

“Now, I will say this, he is a heck of a football player, as is (WR T.J.) Houshmandzadeh and a couple of their other wide receivers.”

Johnson is under contract with the Bengals through 2011, but has openly expressed interest to playing in the Illadel.

“I’ve always been a fan of (McNabb), and especially Philly,” Johnson said. “The fans in Philly are the real deal, and that would be a real joy to give them a treat.”

When asked if he was back to saying he wanted to get traded, Chad couldn’t help himself.

“Oh, yeah,” Johnson said. “OK. Next question.”

Could Chad one day Fly Like a Eagle?

Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment

Bengals QB Fitzpatrick takes time out for kids

By Carlos "Big C" Holmes | Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 05:17 PM

Cincinnati Bengals starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is among 34 players participating in “NFL Take a Player to School” presented by JCPenney Afterschool, and on Tuesday, November 11, I witnessed as he helped make one child’s dream come true.

Fitzpatrick took time out of his busy schedule to visit Elda Elementary in Hamilton, Ohio and 1st grade student Charlie Purdy, who was the contest winner, and his classmates.

Fitzpatrick picked up Purdy from his home Tuesday morning and brought him to school in a shiny black stretch limo. The look on the 6-year old Purdy’s face was priceless as he stepped out of the limo and entered the front doors of Elda Elementary school to the roaring cheers and applause of classmates for him and his new best friend Fitzpatrick.

During the visit, Fitzpatrick spoke to the students about the importance of good health and led them in fitness activities, as part of NFL’s PLAY 60 campaign, helping youngsters get 60 minutes of exercise a day.

This will be a day that Purdy and his classmates will never forget as the NFL quarterback exercised and played with them like he was a kid himself. With a young child of his own and one on the way, it was blatantly clear that Fitzpatrick was enjoying himself just as much as the kids enjoyed having him at their school.

Fitzpatrick did a terrific job making all the kids feel like they were winners.

As for Charlie, he will be forever left with the memory of playing catch in the front yard of his home with an NFL quarterback.

Watch video of Charlie’s big day…

Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment

Browns sign Fry to practice squad

By Carlos "Big C" Holmes | Thursday, November 6, 2008, 12:12 PM

The Cleveland Browns announced today that the team has signed OL Dustin Fry to the practice squad. The 6-foot-3, 326-pound Fry was originally a fifth-round draft choice by St. Louis in the 2007 NFL Draft. Fry played in four games last season for the Rams and spent the remainder of the season on their practice squad. Fry also spent the first eight weeks of the 2008 campaign on the Rams practice squad before being waived on Oct. 28, 2008.

Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment