If it’s summer, then athletes must be negotiating contracts. Since everybody but baseball is in some part of their off-season, it heavy free-agent signing time. The Wings are quietly getting everybody inked. And NFL teams are trying to avoid long holdouts of their top draft picks, so it was a good sign that the Lions got Roy Williams into camp without too much delay. And today we get word that he’s not too far behind.
Too all of you soon-to-be millionaire athletes out there, I offer you this one humble bit of advice: choose an agent who will actually represent you. I’ve read too many stories this week about agents who are apparently overbooked:
- “… Williams, the seventh player taken in the April draft, is represented by Ben Dogra, who apparently hasn’t even given the Lions an opening proposal.
- Agent’s work burdens Lions: The Lions are still hopeful, but the likelihood that wide receiver Roy Williams will get to training camp on time seems to be dwindling, in part because of his agent’s heavy work schedule.
- Running back Chris Perry, the 26th overall pick in the first round by the hometown Bengals, is “represented” by agent Eugene Parker.
Parker had four first-round picks, and two more signed Monday: receiver Larry Fitzgerald with Arizona and cornerback Ahmad Carroll with Green Bay. Parker previously signed defensive tackle Tommie Harris with Chicago.
There is hope among Bengals officials that Parker can now turn his attention to completing Perry’s deal.
Seriously gentlemen, if your agent can’t be bothered to contact your employer, perhaps he needs a larger staff or fewer clients. If, because of your agent, you miss practice time, that doesn’t seem to be a professional relationship with your best interests in mind.
As for the Red Wings, they’ve recently signed Jiri Fischer, Jason Williams, Mathieu Dandenault and last but not least, Brendan Shanahan (actually, his contract got done first). Don’t say I’m not keeping track of things on your behalf. Please return to your regularly scheduled summer activities.
This entry was posted in the following categories: Economics, Lions, Red Wings