Fencer
Pro Bowl Player
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.Let's say that BB has Watt graded at 8.8 (on a 1-9 scale) and no other prospect for 3-4 DE grades out higher than 6.7. And Watt falls to the Pats at #17. How long does anyone think that this "The Patriots do not work with Condon" thing is going to last? As long as it takes to get to the podium with Watt's card?
I can't help but think that Kraft is too rational a businessman to allow one rough negotiation from seven years ago to diminish his current and future business without making at least an attempt to work things out.
That may be the case in the past, but with the rookie wage scale that will be put into place - and make no mistake, it is about 99% sure of happening once the two sides agree to a new CBA - it will make what agent is representing a draftee essentially irrelevant.
The choice of an agent won't be an issue until it is time for a player's second contract, and I doubt that is enough of a reason for the Patriots to not draft a player.
All due respect, I think there is at least a 50/50 chance that this draft class is eventually signed under the existing rules.
I agree.
Watt's agent is not irrelevant.
The patriots may or may draft Watt if they have a chance. However, they will have lot of options in addition to drafting a much lower rated DE. The patriots would not do that.
If the rookie wage scale had been in place PRIOR to the draft, I think things would have been different, but since their is no wage scale, I see no reason for BB to alter what he does.
Therefore I doubt he drafts a Condon client.
AFAIK, the problem wrt Watson's holdout in 2004 had nothing to do with salary; it was about the contract length. The Pats wanted Watson to sign for six years (which was still permissible back then), Condon was fighting for a five-year deal. That's moot now, since (as I understand it) only players drafted in the top sixteen may be signed to six-year deals. Players drafted #17 through #32 may only be signed to five-year deals. If Watt falls to the Pats at #17, there may not be all that much to worry about, rookie wage scale or not.
only players drafted in the top sixteen may be signed to six-year deals. Players drafted #17 through #32 may only be signed to five-year deals. If Watt falls to the Pats at #17, there may not be all that much to worry about, rookie wage scale or not.
Never said pay or contract length was or was not part of any past problems with Condon, but did imply that as part of the rookie wage scale, years of contracts by rounds would be part of the deal.
If the rookie wage scale had been in place PRIOR to the draft, I think things would have been different, but since their is no wage scale, I see no reason for BB to alter what he does.
Therefore I doubt he drafts a Condon client.
We might do well to think how the NE v. Condon issues extend beyond the basic rookie negotiations themselves. Condon was a close confidant of Gene Upshaw and had considerable input into various NFLPA v. NFL issues which I believe created some friction from NE's perspective.
Condon is not just an agent, he's a super agent with impact far beyond anything he does directly for his clients. It is what it is, I am at least mildly suspicious of any speculation which purports no friction between the two parties, there is enough anecdotal evidence to suggest an antipathy exists; it's fair to consider the divide with some skepticism, but it's equally valid to note the speculation is not occurring in a vacuum.
That's true as far as it goes, but I suspect that they'd have to trade up to get Watt. And trading up into 6th-year negotiation territory for a Condon client is a legitimate concern, alas.