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Are the sharks circling Crabtree?

Source: At least one agent reaches out to unsigned player. Jack Bechta

Bookmark and Share Print This Send This September 23, 2009, 06:51 AM EST
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Any time a blue-chip player like Michael Crabtree commits to an agent, you’ll find several other agents who will say, “I almost had him. I was his second choice.”

It now appears that at least one other agent group is circling in the water like sharks smelling blood, hoping Crabtree will change his mind about his agent, Eugene Parker, however unlikely that may be.

Michael CrabtreeAPA lot has happened since the 2009 NFL Draft.

A reliable source in the agent community has told me that that at least one other agent has reached out to Crabtree to see if he can “offer any assistance” to end the stalemate with the 49ers.

Any time a player is having tough time with a negotiation, you can almost count on other agents reaching out to him, wanting to play the role of white knight. The agents assume very little risk in making this move because the player doesn’t want to report him to his current agent or the NFL Players Association. The player simply doesn’t want to go through the hassle of being part of an intense grievance process and being looked upon by his peers and teammates -- some of whom may be working with the soliciting agent -- as a snitch.

During the recruiting process, a losing agent may have built a great relationship with the player, his family or even his best friend. I can virtually guarantee you that some calls and texts have been fired in the direction of Crabtree and his people by these agents.

Michael CrabtreeAP

I’ve heard that there’s a great deal of depth and strength in the relationship between Parker and Crabtree. But I also know that as time lapses and the stakes mount, their relationship will be tested. Eugene will and has become an easy target for other agents because of this particular impasse. Regardless of the strategy, philosophy and motivations of the Crabtree-Parker camp, agents will spin this holdout on the recruiting trail as an ill-advised move orchestrated solely by Parker.

From a public relations standpoint, Crabtree -- if he listens to the whispers and opts to make a change -- can fire Parker and use him as a scapegoat, placing the entirety of the blame for the stalemate on the agent. But Eugene is no fool; he knows this is a possibility, which leads me to believe the holdout might be driven by the player.

I don’t know Parker personally, but I know of his reputation, his history and his philosophy. He’s known as a tough but fair negotiator and an architect. He’s all about the art of the deal. He doesn’t play concierge like other high-profile agents. He’s not seeking fame. He simply focuses his attention on putting together superior deals without worrying about other agents, the media or next year’s recruiting class. He’s a seasoned and cerebral pro who’s made millions of dollars for himself and his clients.

He’s also a cool character, so if the sharks indeed are circling, he’ll remain calm and stick to his plan.

Follow me on Twitter: jackbechta

Comments

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Lance
Sep 23, 2009
07:26 AM

Parker is also known for having the most clients who hold out. He's the agent for football players who don't enjoy playing football. So yeah he and Crabs seem like a perfect pair.

sjgmoney
Sep 23, 2009
09:18 AM

"without worrying about ........ next year’s recruiting class." Really? I find this hard to believe. For a "first round agent" like Parker this is his bread and butter, his calling card per se.

Robert Boland
Sep 23, 2009
09:35 AM

Superb take on something that happens all the time. There exists in the agent community a couple of high profile agents who specialize in claim jumping- grabbing players in tough negotiations with clubs.

Sydney
Sep 23, 2009
10:08 AM

Jack, I am not convinced this holdout is driven by Crrabtree, given Parker's history of holding out players. If Parker is having trouble getting Crabtree to agree to a deal, why is he still representing him when he is not obligated to? I personally think Parker is trying to bust the slotting system and is using Crabtree as a guinea pig to do it.

meateater
Sep 23, 2009
10:11 AM

Jack,

I assume agents get some sort of contract with a player. Is it standard like a player contract or is each one different? Would the player be able to terminate at will or would he need grounds? If Crabtree sacked Parker, would Parker still get a piece of this deal, since he worked on it so long?

You mentioned the "sharks" possibly being referred to the union for claimjumping. Is it actually against the rules to solicit another agent's clients? I don't recall ever hearing of an agent being penalized for this.

Bk
Sep 23, 2009
04:13 PM

Personally, this lifelong Niner's fan hopes Crabtree takes a dive of the Golden Gate and goes swimming with the Bay Area's great whites. Prove your worth before complaining you're not getting paid enough. Coach Singletary may keep the door open for the golddigger, but as far as I'm concerned the Jets can have him. I'll never root for him, no matter what color jersey he wears.

davidj
Sep 23, 2009
07:36 PM

what, exactly, is parker's plan? the niners aren't blinking in case he and crabtree haven't noticed. as a matter of fact, i don't think singletary, in particular, can blink.

jh
Sep 23, 2009
07:41 PM

He should switch agents. Then sign immediately.

Brian
Sep 23, 2009
09:24 PM

TWO WORDS: MIKE WILLIAMS!!!!!

Iduckhook
Sep 23, 2009
10:44 PM

Hopefully Michael Crabtree 's agent made him aware that Mike Singletary won a Super Bowl ring with Bell and Harris holding out the entire seasonon the 85 Bears.

Bestcelebrity
Sep 24, 2009
07:04 AM

Great article
Thanks

Kurt Wayne
Sep 24, 2009
08:09 AM

Michael Crabtree won the Texas lottery and turned it down, he said that the New York lottery pays more, thus Texas lottery officials should give him more $$$ beause he deserves it

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