Note to Lendale White: If you want to maintain your first round pick status in the 2006 NFL Draft, don't stand up Sports Illustrated Senior Writer and Cal Bear Michael Silver.
Now, you've got bad press.
But from a PR Perspective, there's just press, right?
Maybe White's bad hamstring was to blame. It could also be a part of an elaborate ploy to cause White to fall into the waiting arms of a winning organization.
The ploy could backfire.
Friday, April 14, 2006
CAA's Tom Condon's Was Sued For Violation of NFLPA Regulation Section 3 (B) 3 In 2003
Yesterday, I reported that CAA's Football Agent Tom Condon, formerly of IMG, may have violated several sections of the National Football League Player's Association (NFLPA) regulations guiding agent conduct in the matter of USC Quaterback Matt Leinart.
Today, I uncovered this recent report by Liz Mullen of The Sports Business Journal, written September of 2003. It, combined with the more recent allegations involving Leinart, suggest player contact practices that should be reviewed by the NFLPA.
Mullen's report applies to NFLPA Regulation Section 3 (B) 3 -- Providing or offering money or any other thing of value to a member of the player's or prospective player's family or any other person for the purpose of inducing or encouraging that person to recommend the services of the Contract Advisor; Providing materially false or misleading information to any player or prospective player in the context of recruiting the player as a client or in the course of representing that player.
LAWSUIT TARGETS IMG FOOTBALL CHIEF CONDON
September 8, 2003
SportsBusiness Journal
By Liz Mullen
IMG Football President Tom Condon falsely told top NFL draft prospects that a rival agent "played the race card" in negotiations with NFL clubs in an effort to damage the agent and win recruiting battles, according to claims in a lawsuit filed in Philadelphia federal court.
NFL player agent Lamont Smith, who is black, claims in the suit that Condon, who is white, and Cleveland-based IMG slandered him in their efforts to win recruiting battles.
An IMG spokeswoman and an attorney for IMG both declined to comment. Condon did not return phone calls.
"It is a defamation of character, slander lawsuit stemming from a systematic pattern that Tom Condon has engaged in against me personally, and our firm," said Smith, a principal of All Pro Sports & Entertainment, which represents about 60 NFL players, including Eddie George, Jerome Bettis and retired running back Barry Sanders.
"He has basically stated to kids, repeatedly, that general managers have been reluctant to deal with me because of the interjection of race in negotiations, which is patently false," Smith said. "The apparent intent is to blackball. It leads a player to think you are not accepted in NFL circles, which could not be further from the truth."
The lawsuit claims that in the last three years, Condon told players Antonio Bryant, Kenyatta Walker and Larry Johnson, and/or their advisers, that Smith was known to use race in contract negotiations. The suit says the comments were made while Condon and Smith were competing to sign players before the 2001, 2002 and 2003 NFL drafts.
"Condon may have told other current and prospective NFL players... that they should not become clients of plaintiff Smith because Smith had alienated general managers of NFL clubs by 'playing the race card,' " the suit states.
The suit against Condon, who leads a practice that represents about 85 NFL players and who is widely considered to be the most powerful football agent in the country, is just the latest in a slew of lawsuits filed against or by major NFL player agents.
Octagon's football division was sued by three agents in the last two years, although one of those suits was dismissed for lack of evidence. Agent Hadley Engelhard has filed suit against his top recruiter, asking a court to enjoin the recruiter from working with his clients who were first-round NFL draft picks.
Last fall, NFL player agent Leigh Steinberg won a $44.66 million judgment against his former protégé, agent David Dunn, and his rival firm when a jury found that Dunn engaged in unfair competition.
George Croner, Smith's attorney, said the lawsuit could have a chilling effect on what is considered to be a widespread practice by agents of making negative comments about their rivals while recruiting athletes.
Croner said Condon's comments go far beyond standard competition.
"If you tell a kid that another agent has a problem with general managers... and if you embellish on it by saying the reason they don't like him is this highly inflammatory issue of playing the race card with general managers who are almost invariably white, you have created an explosive situation," he said.
Croner added that the result of the case "will not be found in documents. It will be found in the testimony of witnesses."
Roy Kessel, chairman of the Chicago Bar Association's Sports Law Committee and a certified NFL player agent, said Smith's case against Condon may be difficult to prove because Smith does not represent all the players named in the suit. Smith represents Bryant. Condon represents Walker. Agent Marvin Demoff represents Johnson.
"If you don't have the player, you will be hard-pressed for them to testify," Kessel said.
But Greg Genske, an attorney with San Francisco law firm Morgan Lewis who was part of the litigation team that won the $44.66 million judgment in the Steinberg case, noted that NFL players can be subpoenaed.
"I think it's easy to get to the truth with the players because at the end of the day they are not going to lie to protect an agent," said Genske, who cross-examined several NFL players during the Steinberg trial. "I don't think they would lie to protect Mr. Condon or lie to support trumped-up, fabricated allegations against Mr. Condon."
Again, the ball's in the court of the NFLPA.
Today, I uncovered this recent report by Liz Mullen of The Sports Business Journal, written September of 2003. It, combined with the more recent allegations involving Leinart, suggest player contact practices that should be reviewed by the NFLPA.
Mullen's report applies to NFLPA Regulation Section 3 (B) 3 -- Providing or offering money or any other thing of value to a member of the player's or prospective player's family or any other person for the purpose of inducing or encouraging that person to recommend the services of the Contract Advisor; Providing materially false or misleading information to any player or prospective player in the context of recruiting the player as a client or in the course of representing that player.
LAWSUIT TARGETS IMG FOOTBALL CHIEF CONDON
September 8, 2003
SportsBusiness Journal
By Liz Mullen
IMG Football President Tom Condon falsely told top NFL draft prospects that a rival agent "played the race card" in negotiations with NFL clubs in an effort to damage the agent and win recruiting battles, according to claims in a lawsuit filed in Philadelphia federal court.
NFL player agent Lamont Smith, who is black, claims in the suit that Condon, who is white, and Cleveland-based IMG slandered him in their efforts to win recruiting battles.
An IMG spokeswoman and an attorney for IMG both declined to comment. Condon did not return phone calls.
"It is a defamation of character, slander lawsuit stemming from a systematic pattern that Tom Condon has engaged in against me personally, and our firm," said Smith, a principal of All Pro Sports & Entertainment, which represents about 60 NFL players, including Eddie George, Jerome Bettis and retired running back Barry Sanders.
"He has basically stated to kids, repeatedly, that general managers have been reluctant to deal with me because of the interjection of race in negotiations, which is patently false," Smith said. "The apparent intent is to blackball. It leads a player to think you are not accepted in NFL circles, which could not be further from the truth."
The lawsuit claims that in the last three years, Condon told players Antonio Bryant, Kenyatta Walker and Larry Johnson, and/or their advisers, that Smith was known to use race in contract negotiations. The suit says the comments were made while Condon and Smith were competing to sign players before the 2001, 2002 and 2003 NFL drafts.
"Condon may have told other current and prospective NFL players... that they should not become clients of plaintiff Smith because Smith had alienated general managers of NFL clubs by 'playing the race card,' " the suit states.
The suit against Condon, who leads a practice that represents about 85 NFL players and who is widely considered to be the most powerful football agent in the country, is just the latest in a slew of lawsuits filed against or by major NFL player agents.
Octagon's football division was sued by three agents in the last two years, although one of those suits was dismissed for lack of evidence. Agent Hadley Engelhard has filed suit against his top recruiter, asking a court to enjoin the recruiter from working with his clients who were first-round NFL draft picks.
Last fall, NFL player agent Leigh Steinberg won a $44.66 million judgment against his former protégé, agent David Dunn, and his rival firm when a jury found that Dunn engaged in unfair competition.
George Croner, Smith's attorney, said the lawsuit could have a chilling effect on what is considered to be a widespread practice by agents of making negative comments about their rivals while recruiting athletes.
Croner said Condon's comments go far beyond standard competition.
"If you tell a kid that another agent has a problem with general managers... and if you embellish on it by saying the reason they don't like him is this highly inflammatory issue of playing the race card with general managers who are almost invariably white, you have created an explosive situation," he said.
Croner added that the result of the case "will not be found in documents. It will be found in the testimony of witnesses."
Roy Kessel, chairman of the Chicago Bar Association's Sports Law Committee and a certified NFL player agent, said Smith's case against Condon may be difficult to prove because Smith does not represent all the players named in the suit. Smith represents Bryant. Condon represents Walker. Agent Marvin Demoff represents Johnson.
"If you don't have the player, you will be hard-pressed for them to testify," Kessel said.
But Greg Genske, an attorney with San Francisco law firm Morgan Lewis who was part of the litigation team that won the $44.66 million judgment in the Steinberg case, noted that NFL players can be subpoenaed.
"I think it's easy to get to the truth with the players because at the end of the day they are not going to lie to protect an agent," said Genske, who cross-examined several NFL players during the Steinberg trial. "I don't think they would lie to protect Mr. Condon or lie to support trumped-up, fabricated allegations against Mr. Condon."
Again, the ball's in the court of the NFLPA.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Profootballtalk.com Reports That Leinart Team Wanted Steinberg Fired Because Houston Would Not Trade Up To Get USC Signal Caller
I found this item at Profootballtalk.com:
LEINART CAMP TRYING TO PERSUADE TITANS TO TAKE MATT
The same source who tipped us off over the weekend to the looming termination of agent Leigh Steinberg by USC quarterback Matt Leinart tells us that the driving force behind the change was the lack of interest that the Titans were demonstrating in the 2004 Heisman winner.
The source says that Titans G.M. Floyd Reese is leaning toward Texas quarterback Vince Young, and Titans coach Jeff Fisher and offensive coordinator Norm Chow want Leinart.
The source also tells us that Chow recently informed Leinart that Reese won't trade up to the No. 1 overall spot in order to get Leinart.
Co-agent Chuck Price, who will remain a member of Team Leinart in the wake of the Steinberg termination, supposedly has told Reese that the failure to land Leinart will be the biggest draft gaffe in team history.
Apparently, Reese is now on the fence.
Per the source, Leinart will sign with Tom Condon after the five-day waiting period expires following Leinart's termination, and Condon and Price will work together. Condon's pitch, as we recently heard, was that he'll get either the Titans or the Jets to trade up to No. 1 with the Houston Texans.
The long-term plan, we're told, is for Price to learn the ropes of the agent business over the next couple of years, with an eye toward being the lead agent for Leinart's second contract. (We suspect that Condon hasn't gotten that memo.)
The broader question, as we see it, is whether these goings-on will raise a red flag for any team that otherwise will be interested in Leinart. There's already a question as to whether he has a sufficient passion for the pro game. And his pro day workout was hardly a show stopper.
So by trying to force his way into the No. 1 spot, the risk could be that Leinart slides even lower than he otherwise might have gone.
Stay tuned.
It still does not adress the matter of how Condon came to be hired by Team Leinart. Who gave Leinart the idea that Houston could be "made" to want to trade up? They didn't just come to that view after a night of reflection. All signs point to how Condon handled himself in this affair.
It's still up to the NFLPA.
LEINART CAMP TRYING TO PERSUADE TITANS TO TAKE MATT
The same source who tipped us off over the weekend to the looming termination of agent Leigh Steinberg by USC quarterback Matt Leinart tells us that the driving force behind the change was the lack of interest that the Titans were demonstrating in the 2004 Heisman winner.
The source says that Titans G.M. Floyd Reese is leaning toward Texas quarterback Vince Young, and Titans coach Jeff Fisher and offensive coordinator Norm Chow want Leinart.
The source also tells us that Chow recently informed Leinart that Reese won't trade up to the No. 1 overall spot in order to get Leinart.
Co-agent Chuck Price, who will remain a member of Team Leinart in the wake of the Steinberg termination, supposedly has told Reese that the failure to land Leinart will be the biggest draft gaffe in team history.
Apparently, Reese is now on the fence.
Per the source, Leinart will sign with Tom Condon after the five-day waiting period expires following Leinart's termination, and Condon and Price will work together. Condon's pitch, as we recently heard, was that he'll get either the Titans or the Jets to trade up to No. 1 with the Houston Texans.
The long-term plan, we're told, is for Price to learn the ropes of the agent business over the next couple of years, with an eye toward being the lead agent for Leinart's second contract. (We suspect that Condon hasn't gotten that memo.)
The broader question, as we see it, is whether these goings-on will raise a red flag for any team that otherwise will be interested in Leinart. There's already a question as to whether he has a sufficient passion for the pro game. And his pro day workout was hardly a show stopper.
So by trying to force his way into the No. 1 spot, the risk could be that Leinart slides even lower than he otherwise might have gone.
Stay tuned.
It still does not adress the matter of how Condon came to be hired by Team Leinart. Who gave Leinart the idea that Houston could be "made" to want to trade up? They didn't just come to that view after a night of reflection. All signs point to how Condon handled himself in this affair.
It's still up to the NFLPA.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
BREAKING NEWS: CAA's Tom Condon May Have Cheated In Drawing Matt Leinart Away From Leigh Steinberg -- The Only Question Is What Will The NFLPA Do?
I have it from a confidential source that NFL Player Agent Tom Condon (pictured at left), formerly of IMG and now with Creative Artists Agency, may have violated key rules established by the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) in an effort to draw USC Quarterback Matt Leinart away from Sports Agent Leigh Steinberg (photo below left).
NFLPA regulations on the conduct of agents -- referred to as contract advisors -- are strict. The areas of NFLPA regulations that apply to what I wil call "The Leinart Case" are:
From The NFLPA Website:
Section 3 (B) B. Prohibited Conduct
Contract Advisors are prohibited from:
1. Representing any player in individual contract negotiations with any Club unless he/she (i) is an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor; (ii) has signed the Standard Representation Agreement with such player; and (iii) has filed a copy of the Standard Representation Agreement with the NFLPA along with any other contract(s) or agreement(s) between the player and the Contract Advisor;
2. Providing or offering money or any other thing of value to any player or prospective player to induce or encourage that player to utilize his/her services;
3. Providing or offering money or any other thing of value to a member of the player's or prospective player's family or any other person for the purpose of inducing or encouraging that person to recommend the services of the Contract Advisor;
Providing materially false or misleading information to any player or prospective player in the context of recruiting the player as a client or in the course of representing that player.
4. Representing or suggesting to any player or prospective player that his/her NFLPA Certification is an endorsement or recommendation by the NFLPA of the Contract Advisor or the Contract Advisor's qualifications or services;
But it's Section 3 (B) (Prohibited Conduct), Paragraph 21 that Condon is in true violation of. It states:
Section 3 (B) 21. (a) Initiating any communication, directly or indirectly, with a player who has entered into a Standard Representation Agreement with another Contract Advisor and such Standard Representation Agreement is on file with the NFLPA if the communication concerns a matter relating to the:
(i) Player's current Contract Advisor;
(ii) Player's current Standard Representation Agreement;
(iii) Player's contract status with any NFL Club(s); or
(iv) Services to be provided by prospective Contract Advisor either through a Standard Representation Agreement or otherwise.
(b) If a player, already a party to a Standard Representation Agreement, initiates communication with a Contract Advisor relating to any of the subject matters listed in Section 3(B)(21)(a) the Contract Advisor may continue communications with the Player regarding any of those matters.
(c) Section 3(B)(21) shall not apply to any player who has less than sixty (60) days remaining before his NFL Player Contract expires, and he has not yet signed a new Standard Representation Agreement with a Contract Advisor within the sixty (60) day period.
(d) Section 3(B)(21) shall not prohibit a Contract Advisor from sending a player written materials which may be reasonably interpreted as advertising directed at players in general and not targeted at a specific player.
Published reports from several sources confirm what my source knows: that Condon violated "Paragraph 21" in his pursuit of Matt Leinart. For example, Profootballtalk.com had this information, which could not be directly linked to because of the design of its site. I copied it:POSTED 9:24 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:42 p.m. EDT, April 11, 2006
LEINART "DEFINITELY" HIRING CONDON
We've heard from yet another source that USC quarterback Matt Leinart "definitely" is hiring Tom Condon of Creative Artists Agency to replace Leigh Steinberg, whom Leinart recently has terminated.
The talk in league circles is that Condon and CAA have told Leinart that they will persuade either the Jets or the Titans to swing a deal with the Texans to make Leinart the No. 1 overall selection in the draft. If that's true, the Condon potentially has run afoul of the NFLPA regulations that impose a five-day waiting period before a new agent can swoop in.
But don't assume that the NFLPA will take any action, given that Condon also represents NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw.
We haven't confirmed whether Chuck Price will be involved in the ongoing representation of Leinart, but we've previously heard that Price will still be a part of the team, working directly with Condon.
The timing of the conversations between Leinart and Condon is such that Condon was tampering with Steinberg's client, Matt Leinart.
My source said, "They (Condon working for CAA) probably used the old IMG model: (Where they may have told Leinart) We'll take a reduced fee and a bit more up front, and by the way, we'll get your Dad a job."
If this is 100 percent true, and it appears to be approaching 80 percent truth, Condon's also in violation of NFLPA Section 3 (B), Paragraph 3, which reads:
3. Providing or offering money or any other thing of value to a member of the player's or prospective player's family or any other person for the purpose of inducing or encouraging that person to recommend the services of the Contract Advisor;
Providing materially false or misleading information to any player or prospective player in the context of recruiting the player as a client or in the course of representing that player.
The question is what will the NFLPA do? My well-placed source reports that not only is Tom Condon NFLPA Executive Director Gene Upshaw's agent, but NFLPA attorney Jeffrey Kessler's son works for Condon. (Kessler's pictured at right.)Given this, it's very possible Condon could have communicated to Leinart that he's the representative of the NFLPA's Executive Director and therefore has special authorization to contact Leinart in so forward a way as he's done. Now, I'm piling on; there's already too much information. But if that were the case, Condon's stepped over the bounds of Section 3 (B), Paragraph 4, which reads:
4. Representing or suggesting to any player or prospective player that his/her NFLPA Certification is an endorsement or recommendation by the NFLPA of the Contract Advisor or the Contract Advisor's qualifications or services;
Stay tuned. It's going to get worse before it gets better.
NBA Commissioner David Stern Huge Dem Giver - Over $700,000!
In stark contrast to NFL Commissioner Tagliabue, NBA Commissioner David Stern is a large giver to Democrats.
Just look at his numbers:
$2,000 Republican
$762,780* Democrat
$17,000 special interest
total: $781,780
He's given to KWEIS MFUME, I (D) Senate - MD, the DNC, and others over his life.
Anyone who believes Stern's a conservative because of the NBA Dress Code matter should see this information.
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue Contributes Mostly To Republican's -- But Not By Much
The best sports commissioner since Pete Rozelle's got a balanced history of political giving. According to records, his money breaks down like this:
12,250 Republican
$8,001 Democrat
$7,500 special interest
total: $27,751
His most recent give was to Tennessee Senator (R) Lamar Alexander. (Remember to click on the title of this post to see the full record. )
Christie Brinkley's A Major Liberal! She Even Gave Money To A PAC To Impeach President Bush!
Of the $89K she's contributed over her life, the Supermodel has given $76K of it to Dems and of that she's contributed money to "IMPEACHPAC" -- an organization that is working to elect a congress to impeach President Bush.
Raider Owner Al Davis Gave Mostly To Republican Causes - But Only $19,000 Total; $11,000 to The GOP
I had to look up Oakland Raiders Owner Al Davis. This is what I found:
$11,000 Republican
$4,000 Democrat
$4,000 special interest
total: $19,000
Most of that -- in fact -- was when he was in LA. He also gave to something called SYMMS PAC.
Alec Baldwin's Put Over $100,000 into The Dems!
Alec Baldwin, the favored whipping boy of "South Park" and "Team America" creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, has poured over $100,000 into Democrats.
Here's his breakdown:
$102,602 Democrat
$500 Green
$1,000 Independent
$5,000 special interest
total: $109,102
Hugh Hefner's A Big Dem Contributor, Too!
Playboy Founder Hugh Hefner's a huge and consistent giver to the Democratic Party. He recently gave $5,000 to the DNC this year. He's also contributed to the campaigns of Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Jerry Brown.
Here's his breakdown...
$102,100 Democrat
$1,000 Independent
$14,500 special interest
total: $117,600
Click on the title of this post to see what he's done.
Tom Cruise' Poltical Contributions? He Like Senator Barbara Boxer - So Do I
According to this Federal Campaign Contribution Report I found, Tom Cruise has given $1,000 to Senator Barbara Boxer, $10,000 to Senator Hilary Clinton, $500 to Senator John Kerry, and others. All Dems.
Airbus A-380 - Think It's 100 Percent Foreign Made? Think Again
Some of it's parts are made or finished in America. Like the landing gear and wing pistons. The wing pistons were made by Southwest United Industries of Oklahoma.
Apprentice 5 Ratings Very Low - Worst In Show's History
I saw this in a recent article on Trump's idea to have viewers pick the Apprentice. The reason for the low number is simple: Jack Baeur. "24" is simply too hot to be beat by The Apprentice on Mondays.
NBC made a terrible mistake. Now, they're taking a beating in the ratings on Thursdays and Mondays, with no relief in site.
...Unless they move The Apprentice back to Thursday's ASAP.
Viewers Hired to Choose "Apprentice"
by Gina Serpe - E! Online
Mar 30, 2006, 11:50 AM PT
Donald Trump is taking a page from Simon Cowell's playbook.
The real estate mogul/reality TV star has announced a change in plans over how he'll choose his next Apprentice, allowing viewers to phone in votes on who they believe should be selected as the next mini-Trump.
"I'm very anxious to see who the fans choose for their favorite finalist--their decision could have a big effect on my ultimate decision," the Donald said in a statement.
But then again, it might not.
Unlike American Idol or other audience-dictated reality shows, viewers who cast their vote for one of The Apprentice's burgeoning businesspeople may not get the payoff they're expecting. The contestant who racks up the most votes will not automatically win the coveted apprenticeship--Trump will simply be made aware of the tally before making his final decision.
"Over the past four seasons of The Apprentice, Donald Trump has used the final episode to hire candidates with advice only from George and Carolyn," Mark Burnett, the show's creator and exec producer said. "This year we thought it would be interesting to discover what America has to say about the candidates, incorporating our fans and viewers as virtual judges.
"While Trump will still be the final arbiter of who he hires, America's feedback is certain to have an impact on his decision."
And, NBC hopes, his ratings.
Despite Trump's routine boasting of his show's ratings prowess, The Apprentice has dipped to an all-time low viewership, averaging just 9.9 million viewers since the fifth cycle kicked off last month. Last fall, The Apprentice 4 drew in a slightly higher 10.7 million viewers, down about 4 million from the previous installment. (With Martha Stewart's incarnation is long gone as a scapegoat, we're still waiting to see what excuse Trump will offer now to explain away his dismal Nielsen numbers.)
Viewers will be able to cast their vote for one of the final two candidates following the penultimate episode of the season via phone or by going online. As in years past, Trump will announce the winner in the live finale, during which he will also be presented with the results of the viewer vote.
The finale airs in June.
Cheney Gets Booed; Bush Poll Numbers Go Lower - What Do They Expect?
The bad news continues to fly in. The Vice President is booed at a baseball game -- again. President Bush has terrible and falling poll numbers.
It's clear to me what the problem is. They're too right-of-center to be in touch with the mood of America. 9-11 skewed all that's political and it's going to take three years to flush out the elected officials from office who don't see the economic and social problems we're facing in America and focus on them rather than the Mid East.
It's clear to me what the problem is. They're too right-of-center to be in touch with the mood of America. 9-11 skewed all that's political and it's going to take three years to flush out the elected officials from office who don't see the economic and social problems we're facing in America and focus on them rather than the Mid East.
Ty Law Considering Seattle Seahawks - Seahawks Looking At Ty Law - Seattle PI
Veteran Ty Law says Hawks offer chance to win
By CLARE FARNSWORTH
SEATTLE P-I REPORTER
KIRKLAND -- Ty Law has been to the pinnacle repeatedly, only to find the view obscured by what should have been.
During his 11-year NFL career, Law has been on four Super Bowl teams, voted to the Pro Bowl five times and led the league in interceptions twice -- including last season, his first with the New York Jets after playing 10 years with the New England Patriots.
It's not enough. The free-agent cornerback desires more, and can see himself achieving it as a member of the Seahawks.
"What's there left for me to do? There's a whole lot left to do," Law said Monday during a telephone interview from an airport in Florida, where he was catching a plane to New York City to visit his 6-year-old daughter, Tya.
"I've made five Pro Bowls. I should have made nine, because I feel I got ripped off for four others," he added. "The last time I went to the Super Bowl (after the 2004 season with the Patriots), I feel like I got shorted because I didn't get to play in that game.
"So I'm still trying to play catch-up. That's just what I do with my own psyche, to want to improve."
Law visited the Seahawks last week, and liked what he saw and heard.
After he departed, coach Mike Holmgren raised what seem to be the two biggest factors in signing Law: What does he have left mentally as well as physically; and how much will it cost to have him playing opposite Marcus Trufant in 2006 as the Seahawks defend their NFC championship?
Law chuckled when informed that Holmgren had said, "The great ones don't come cheap."
"Mike's been around," Law said. "He knows how it goes. As great a coach as he is, he doesn't come cheap, either."
As for being 32 and seemingly having nothing left to prove -- or play for -- it was as if Law had been waiting for someone to broach that subject.
"I want to play football," he said. "I love to compete. I'm confident in my abilities. I can be a big assist to any team. This 'old man' has something left in his tank."
More significantly, Law's actions speak louder than his words.
During the offseason, he leaves his material trappings in Florida and moves into a corporate apartment in St. Louis to work out with renowned track and field coach Bob Kersee -- whose wife, Jackie Joyner Kersee, won five medals in three Olympics in the heptathlon and long jump.
"Actually, the decision to work with Bob came from being overlooked," Law said. "I figured it was something that could take me to the next level."
It did. His first offseason with Kersee in 1998 led to Law's first Pro Bowl selection that season.
Law and his agent also are talking with the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and Patriots. But Law likes his chances of adding to his legacy with the Seahawks.
"Although I did have a season no one thought I would have last year, it just didn't satisfy me at all," he said of intercepting 10 passes and being voted to the Pro Bowl for the 4-12 Jets.
"I'm used to winning. So the objective is to go somewhere with a chance to compete and an opportunity to win. I really, really want an opportunity to win again, and I definitely think that could come in Seattle."
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
America's Shame: Black Urban Communities Like Third World Countries
I'm glad CNN's exposing this, but the best examples of modern racism are not in what we say, but what we do. In this case, what we've done is permitted the private sector to avoid investing in the poorest areas of the inner city. Moreover, urban economic development programs have largely failed our cities. They're better at drawing big developers than creating a foundation for small business investment and growth.
Terrible. And with no end in sight.
Texans Pondering Bush Or Young - What's This About Indy and A Trade? - Houston Chronicle
ON PRO FOOTBALL
A Young-Bush debate in Nashville? Hmm . . .
By JOHN MCCLAIN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
Let's see if we can get this straight. The Texans are going to give Bud Adams a choice between Vince Young and Reggie Bush?
Based on their recent flirtation with North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams, the Texans may be putting themselves in position to be haunted for years by Young or Bush.
The only thing that could be worse than Young's going to Tennessee would be Indianapolis' pulling off a trade to get Bush. Then four times each season, the Texans could play against one of the stars they passed up.
The more we think about the Texans' recent interest in Williams — the best defensive player in the draft, by the way — the more it makes sense. They're going to need an impact defensive player to chase Young all over the field twice a season for, say, the next 10 years.
Bush, who is one of the greatest prospects in history, can do a lot of things — leap tall buildings in a single bound, for instance — but he can't harass Young when Young leads the Titans against his hometown team twice a season.
Today, Young makes what could be the first of many trips from Houston to Nashville. The Titans are rolling out the red carpet for Young and agent Major Adams.
The Adams & Adams Show
If Tennessee uses the third pick in the draft on Young, his agent is going to become so close to Bud Adams that people might start to believe they're related.
Just think. Rather than throw up the Horns with Austin sideline buddies like Matthew McConaughey and Roger Clemens, Young can hang out with Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Keith Urban and Victoria's own Cowboy Troy.
Houstonians can be sure that Adams — Bud, not Major — has been sitting behind his desk in his Galleria-area skyscraper soaking in all the Vince Young controversy.
The Budster knows that University of Texas fans — not to mention many others — want the Texans to use the top pick on Young.
He knows when the Texans select Bush or Williams (yeah, right!) that a lot of Houstonians are going to be so angry they'll be seeing burnt orange. He also knows that if the Titans draft Young, he'll get some UT fans from Austin to go with the UT fans he already has from Knoxville, Tenn.
If Adams pays attention to the national media, he'll see that many reporters believe Matt Leinart is a higher-rated prospect than Young. But if Adams needs to make a case for Young over Leinart, no matter how he crunches the numbers, they'll always look like this: 41-38, 266, 200.
And, Bud, that's not the combination to a safe.
Titans' contracts expiring
For more than a decade, Adams has been letting general manager Floyd Reese make personnel decisions, with input from coach Jeff Fisher. But Reese is in the last year of his contract. So is Fisher, although the team has an option year for the coach.
If Adams were to suggest to Reese and Fisher that he thinks the Titans might be better off drafting Young, they're not in position to put up much of a fight. Not that they would, anyway, because both already know what an incredible prospect Young is — just like Bush.
The Titans also have two injury-prone running backs in Chris Brown and Travis Henry. If the Texans were to actually draft Williams before New Orleans used the second pick on offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Tennessee would have a difficult decision.
Young or Bush.
Bush or Young.
Thank you, Houston.
No matter what the Texans do with the first pick — Bush or Williams (get serious!) — it says here that when the Titans make the third pick, The Eyes of Texas will be on Tennessee.
John McClain covers the Texans and the NFL for the Chronicle. john.mcclain@chron.com.
A Young-Bush debate in Nashville? Hmm . . .
By JOHN MCCLAIN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
Let's see if we can get this straight. The Texans are going to give Bud Adams a choice between Vince Young and Reggie Bush?
Based on their recent flirtation with North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams, the Texans may be putting themselves in position to be haunted for years by Young or Bush.
The only thing that could be worse than Young's going to Tennessee would be Indianapolis' pulling off a trade to get Bush. Then four times each season, the Texans could play against one of the stars they passed up.
The more we think about the Texans' recent interest in Williams — the best defensive player in the draft, by the way — the more it makes sense. They're going to need an impact defensive player to chase Young all over the field twice a season for, say, the next 10 years.
Bush, who is one of the greatest prospects in history, can do a lot of things — leap tall buildings in a single bound, for instance — but he can't harass Young when Young leads the Titans against his hometown team twice a season.
Today, Young makes what could be the first of many trips from Houston to Nashville. The Titans are rolling out the red carpet for Young and agent Major Adams.
The Adams & Adams Show
If Tennessee uses the third pick in the draft on Young, his agent is going to become so close to Bud Adams that people might start to believe they're related.
Just think. Rather than throw up the Horns with Austin sideline buddies like Matthew McConaughey and Roger Clemens, Young can hang out with Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Keith Urban and Victoria's own Cowboy Troy.
Houstonians can be sure that Adams — Bud, not Major — has been sitting behind his desk in his Galleria-area skyscraper soaking in all the Vince Young controversy.
The Budster knows that University of Texas fans — not to mention many others — want the Texans to use the top pick on Young.
He knows when the Texans select Bush or Williams (yeah, right!) that a lot of Houstonians are going to be so angry they'll be seeing burnt orange. He also knows that if the Titans draft Young, he'll get some UT fans from Austin to go with the UT fans he already has from Knoxville, Tenn.
If Adams pays attention to the national media, he'll see that many reporters believe Matt Leinart is a higher-rated prospect than Young. But if Adams needs to make a case for Young over Leinart, no matter how he crunches the numbers, they'll always look like this: 41-38, 266, 200.
And, Bud, that's not the combination to a safe.
Titans' contracts expiring
For more than a decade, Adams has been letting general manager Floyd Reese make personnel decisions, with input from coach Jeff Fisher. But Reese is in the last year of his contract. So is Fisher, although the team has an option year for the coach.
If Adams were to suggest to Reese and Fisher that he thinks the Titans might be better off drafting Young, they're not in position to put up much of a fight. Not that they would, anyway, because both already know what an incredible prospect Young is — just like Bush.
The Titans also have two injury-prone running backs in Chris Brown and Travis Henry. If the Texans were to actually draft Williams before New Orleans used the second pick on offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Tennessee would have a difficult decision.
Young or Bush.
Bush or Young.
Thank you, Houston.
No matter what the Texans do with the first pick — Bush or Williams (get serious!) — it says here that when the Titans make the third pick, The Eyes of Texas will be on Tennessee.
John McClain covers the Texans and the NFL for the Chronicle. john.mcclain@chron.com.
Confirmed - Leinart Bolted Leigh Steinberg - Story Broke By Nikki Finke's Daily Deadline
Here's the story by Nikki below and linked to via the title of this post. ESPN did not break this story.
EXCLUSIVE: USC Megastar QB Matt Leinart Leaving Steinberg, Going to CAA?
EXCLUSIVE: I've just learned that USC megastar quarterback Matt Leinart sent a termination letter late last night to his reknown sports agent, Newport Beach's Leigh Steinberg who just signed him in January. Steinberg confirmed this to me today. This is huge news considering that the NFL draft is on April 29, and Leinart is expected to be the No. 2 pick behind USC running back Reggie Bush. (Both are Heisman Trophy winners.) But what makes this an even bigger story is that sources tell me that Leinart is expected to soon sign for his multimillion dollar football contract negotiations with CAA, a first for the Hollywood talent agency in this arena. The agency has daily contact with the sports celeb because it already represents him for marketing deals like off-the-field endorsements, licensing, autograph shows, public appearances and charity work.
Leinart signed with CAA a week before signing with Steinberg in January; at the time, a CAA spokesman told Advertising Age that the agency was not about to open a sports division. But on April 5th, CAA hired IMG football agent powerhouse Tom Condon as well as IMG football rep Ken Kremer. (Yesterday, CAA also signed IMG baseball agent Casey Close, who reps Derek Jeter.) I'm told that, interestingly, Leinert had earlier met with Condon at IMG and rejected him in favor of Steinberg. Steinberg is best known for having repped the first pick in the NFL draft eight times and specializing in QBs (Steve Young, Warren Moon and Troy Aikman, Ben Roethlisberger and Mark Brunell have been or are clients). Condon, who reps QBs Peyton and Eli Manning, has repped the first draft pick the past two years running (Eli Manning in 2004 and Alex Smith in 2005). "But this year, he got nobody. He lost the competition for Matt Leinart first time around," an insider told me. I'm told CAA's first move with Condon, one of IMG founder Mark McCormack's business-is-war acolytes, aboard was to take Leinart away from Steinberg even though there was no discord in the agent-client relationship. But this does mean war now between CAA and other sports agents since the Hollywood agency is hellbent on going after superstar athletes' sports contract business, no longer content to just market sports stars. But it's a reminder of CAA's cunning legacy under Michael Ovitz, who said he wasn't going into the advertising business when he signed Coca Cola to a consultancy contract but then started making commercials for the soft drink giant.
Officially, CAA can not comment one way or another whether they have Leinart in the fold already. Under league rules, Leinart's termination letter sets in motion the five-day rule, meaning that for the next five days Steinberg (left) is still legally the QB's sports agent. (Leinart also filed the necessary paperwork with the players' union yesterday.) Of course, the rules also state that, while Steinberg had this client, no other sports agents were supposed to be talking to Leinart. And, as things stand now, no agent is supposed to contact Leinart until the five days have expired. So then how come sources are telling me that Leinart is about to switch to CAA for sports repping? "You have to make the assumption that they went to him the minute they got Condon. But how do you make the tampering case against CAA here?" one source told me. "They do it in Hollywood. They're not supposed to do it in football. It's totally against the guidelines. It's totally illegal to talk to someone who's represented about switching. The point is rarely is a case like this brought. How do you prove it?"
I'm told the phrase "sons of bitches" to describe CAA was floating around Steinberg's office after receiving Leinart's letter of termination. Ironically, USC offensive tackle Winston Justice fired Steinberg late last week because he felt Steinberg focused all his time on his other Trojan client, I hear. With his heartthrob good looks and impressive athleticism, Leinart is expected to become a twofer cash cow both in his football contract and his endorsement potential. That's incentive enough for CAA to steamroll over anything and anyone to get Leinart as a full-service client. Steinberg's the first road kill.
Latino's March Against Bush and Republican Immigration Policies - Blacks, People of Color, and Women Should Join Them
My view is that we should make it easier to become an American citizen. Also, the new Americans are not "taking jobs" from others, because the jobs they go after aren't posted on Monster.com nor do they call for W-2 forms. They're odd tasks that someone comes up with at the moment. The "taking" idea is silly.
HOUSTON, Texas (Reuters) -- Massive street marches to protest a proposed crackdown on illegal immigration have energized U.S. Hispanics and may signal a new day of Hispanic political involvement.
The demonstrations, which attracted both legal and illegal residents across the country, mean politicians may face an angry Hispanic electorate in which Republicans would be the biggest losers, activists said on Monday.
Half a million people marched in Los Angeles two weeks ago, and another half a million protested in Dallas on Sunday. On Monday, there were smaller marches in more than 60 cities, all to express displeasure with proposed legislation in Washington aimed at clamping down on illegal immigration.(Watch how the rallies could change the political landscape -- 2:28)
As happened in Los Angeles, the Dallas march stunned the organizers, who expected only 20,000 people in politically conservative Texas.
"Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine half a million people marching in a city that has 1.2 million people," said Lydia Gonzalez Welch, a board member with the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, which promoted the so-called Mega March.
"The feeling of celebration and amazement yesterday was powerful and we will make sure that power continues to be demonstrated and the local leaders will feel it," she said.
"This is the first real social movement, bottom-up,
grass-roots movement of the 21st century," longtime Hispanic activist and university professor Jose Angel Gutierrez told the Dallas Morning News.
Flexing what it hopes is new political muscle, LULAC, the largest U.S. Hispanic organization, called for supporters to boycott stores Monday and not go to work, but the results were not clear.
Organizers at all the marches, with an eye to future elections, encouraged protesters who are citizens to register to vote. They urged illegal immigrants, who cannot vote, to push those who can to exercise their right.
"We will see this transfer into political power. If we cannot change their minds, we will change them (politicians)," said Elias Bermudez, head of advocacy group Immigrants Without Borders, at a march in Phoenix, Arizona.
40 million Hispanics
There are 40 million Hispanics in the United States, although due to age and legal status, just 13 million are eligible to vote.
Of those, only 60 percent are registered to vote and turnout at the polls is usually lower than among whites and blacks, experts say.
But they are concentrated in key states such as California, Texas and Florida and, by 2020, the number of Hispanic voters nationally is expected to top 20 million.
Democrats stand to gain most from new Hispanic involvement because political analysts say that, typically, two-thirds of Hispanics vote for their party.
Despite exuberance among activists, greater Hispanic political activism is not assured because the Hispanic population is not a political monolith, experts say.
While U.S.-born Hispanics are largely sympathetic to illegal immigrants, a Pew Hispanic Center survey found that a third of them feel illegal immigrants drive wages down.
Republicans have made gains in attracting Hispanics, but could lose ground by pushing a harder line against illegal immigrants, said Southern Methodist University political scientist Cal Jillson in Dallas.
They "should take a deep breath here, and ask themselves what a failure to deal with the concerns of immigrants both legal and illegal will mean for the Republican Party," he said.
Republican political consultant Bill Miller in Austin agreed the party is in a difficult position.
"It's a real high risk situation for Republicans, and it's almost all down side," he said. "There is no more sacred issue to Hispanics."
Copyright 2006 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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