While Greg Linton (our Agent for the “Agent’s Corner) has been on the DL with a knee injury (still rehabbing) and has been unable to put out his outspoken, honest, heartfelt feelings and doings as an NFL agent, he has been hard at work with his 10 clients this year.
With none of his clients surprisingly being drafted (we had four as draftable prospects), the time shortly after the Lockout expired was a busy one for Greg and the HOF Sports Agency. I got a chance to talk to Greg (who can be found on twitter at @AgentLinton) about the agent’s view on the lockout, the quick start to the off-season, and about where his clients signed as undrafted free agents.
“Frustrating”
The first words out of Greg’s mouth when I asked about the NFL Lockout. Not frustrating necessarily from a fan perspective, though I’m sure that didn’t make it fun either, but from an agent perspective.
“No one gave us any information. I got most of my information from players when they heard news from their team reps, a few of my sources in the league, and the media.”
“But, one of the few good things about the NFL Lockout was that it really brought agents together.”
Agent’s worked together about team interests in certain same position players as well as overall CBA agreement news and how it would affect the agent industry. Without this, Greg said, agents were in the dark right up until the league had a conference call and sent out a PowerPoint about the rules, just days before free agency started.
But once free agency started things were hectic for Greg and likely most agents with mulitiple clients.
“All three of my phones were ringing back to back to back. One team would call, as about a player, and I’d say I’ll call you back. As I said that, another would call, and so on. My assistant helped take notes with other teams, but it was crazy. It was just busy all the time. Tuesday, I didn’t get to sleep until 4:00 am, with teams calling late in to the night. It didn’t really slow down until Thursday.
You know, I think we were prepared. Some guys, we could have prepared more, some unexpected team’s showed interest late.”
I asked Greg first about Adam Froman first. The former junior college transfer from Louisville, Froman showed great athleticism before his season was cut way too short last year.
“You know, Adam had three different offensive coordinators in three years. He’s got a lot of room to grow. We had six offers total, and two team’s that really made sense. But, the Falcons made the most sense for him. They were interested before the draft, and I think he can compete for the 3rd string job this year. Then, a back-up after that, and in three or four years, we think he can be a starter someplace.”
David Mims, former offensive tackle from Virginia Union, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, a move that I thought made al the sense in the world.
“David was a guy that we were up late on. He was a 4:00 am guy. We had 3-4 teams interested, but the Chiefs were in constant contact in the draft and they were one of the first teams to contact me when they could. Scott Pioli called himself, along with other GMs of other teams to personally try and get David in their camp. In the end, the Chiefs made the most sense for him to try and compete for playing time by the end of the season.
[When a guy like Pioli shows strong interest in your guy], it reaffirms your believe in the players.”Ryan Jones was the Division II Defensive Player of the Year, yet like Froman and Mims, somehow fell out of the draft.
“You know, I’ll say it, Ryan is raw. He has great ball skills and is physical, but he needs some work. Ryan got a few offers, but on his visit, he fell in love with Chicago: the city, the team, the coaches. Other teams’ offered a bit more money, but Ryan wanted to play in Chicago.”
Greg had five other clients sign contracts.
“DeQuin [Evans, defensive end from Kentucky] played with a torn shoulder all last year, but he’s similar to Aaron Morgan [draft pick last year of the Jaguars, HOF client] in that he’s an athlete at linebacker. The Bengals will be trying him at linebacker since they like bigger guys there. If it doesn’t work out there, I think team’s will see his versatility and he’ll get a shot somewhere else.”
“Ricky Lumpkin [defensive tackle from Kentucky] and Kiante Tripp [defensive lineman from Georgia] both got more offers than even we expect. Kiante had 11 offers himself. Ricky really impressed teams with how big he actually is. Ricky will have a good chance to play nose and 5-technique in Arizona. Ryan Travis [tight end from West Liberty] should be in an H-Back role with the Seahawks, and Jeremy LaFrance [wide receiver from Akron] has a chance with the Eagles.
We’re still waiting on Rod Huntley and Brian Duncan. Their the only two left.”
So, now that a majority of Greg’s free agents are set in camps, with all of them in good positions to make NFL rosters, I asked Greg what his plan now is.
“Well, we’re still waiting on Rod Huntley and Brian Duncan. They’re the only two left. After that, I’ll be calling my guys every day or so to check in. Then, it’s starting looking at guys to be clients for next year. It’s a never ending process.”
Last year, Greg and HOF Sports had a short movie called “Late Rounders” made about their draft season, training with their clients, and the whole draft process from their perspective. I asked Greg if a sequel was in the works.
“Hopefully, there won’t be [a “Late Rounders 2″]. Maybe we’ll have a ‘Mid Rounders’ next year.”
Update 2:45 PM EST: Rod Hutley is with the Minnesota Vikings
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