I believe this year’s Senior Bowl makes it about 20 and counting for me. I’ve been on the road now for 14 consecutive days, and I’m finally headed home.
Each year I go to Mobile, Ala., I learn something new about the industry, make more contacts, strengthen my current relationships, appreciate the city more and come away a better agent.
APIowa LB A.J. Edds
I have one client this year who’s playing in the game, linebacker A.J. Edds from Iowa. A.J. is having a good week and definitely is helping his draft value. He’s clearly the biggest linebacker there at 6-3½ and 248 pounds. In addition, he can long snap. After each practice, there was a line of at least four teams that wanted to learn more about him. His evenings were filled with long, in-depth meetings with head coaches and general managers. Teams were impressed with his knowledge, charisma and versatility.
Defensive players from Iowa historically don’t get much hype because they play a very conservative defense in which every player has disciplined responsibilities and few liberties. As a result, many get more attention as pros (Jon Babineaux, Bob Sanders, Aaron Kampman) than as collegiate players. A.J. will be a starting NFL linebacker, and the Senior Bowl is helping to confirm it.
One question I kept hearing while down there, especially from scouts who covered the Big Ten, was: “Where is your other client, TE Tony Moeaki?” Many, including myself, were baffled why Tony was overlooked for an invite. Not taking anything away from the guys who were there, especially Ed Dickson of Oregon, who is clearly the best of the North squad, Tony is rated higher by scouts and is the full package when it comes to an every-down TE skill set.
To give you an idea what an agent’s time in Mobile might look like, here’s a snapshot of my week.
-- Dinner with A.J. at Wintzell’s Oyster House. The oyster sampler and the sweet-taters were incredible.
-- Lunch with a few of my coaching clients.
-- Had beers with four GMs and two salary cap managers. During one of these evenings, we got a chance to debate the labor issues. I found that no one believes anything will be done any time soon.
APDespite not getting invited to the Senior Bowl, Iowa TE Tony Moeaki has a bright NFL future.
-- While sitting in the stands watching practice, I make it a point to visit with different scouts and/or directors to get some feedback on my 2010 draft class.
-- I seek out GMs and head coaches on teams where I have players and get some feedback and updates on their status and/or contract issues.
-- I speak to other agents and compare notes and recruiting stories. I get their opinions on labor issues and contract trends.
-- I started promoting my 2010 free agents by planting seeds now so I can follow up at the combine in late February.
-- I spent the rest of my time on the phone in hotel lobbies or my room doing usual client maintenance.
The weather this week was spectacular, so scouts and players got a lot out of it. By Thursday, nearly all agents, coaches and scouts take off as practices are toned down to just helmets and walk-throughs.
Finally home, I’ll watch the game in the comfort of my home or office on Saturday.
Follow me on Twitter: jackbechta
For more on the Senior Bowl, check out this article from Bleacher Report.
jack, what does "usual client maintenance" involve?
i hear that agents take 200 phone calls in a day what do most of those consist of
What about Angerer? Why isn't he getting any love? The kid was a beast!
I'm a huge Tony Moeaki fan. It kills me to see his name 7 or 8 down on the TE draft depth charts. He's in the top 3 for sure. Some NFL GM is going to be made to look brilliant by picking him up. How does an agent get his name out there? He's a special talent and hope he doesn't slip through the cracks.
Zeus, Angerer is a beast and a warrior! he may even go as high as the 2nd round. he was invited to the game but felt like he proven him self enough and wanted to focus on the Combine.
Josh, I'm sincerely with ya on Tony. After the dust settles and the film is watched he will be in the top 3 on everybody's board.
My job as Tony's agent is to agressively encourgae the decison makers to the TE coaches to watch all his film and talk to the Iowa people. The rest will take care of itself.
Gary, 200 total incomming and outgoing calls is not unrealistic. I have plenty days like that! add in another 40 to 50 text messages.
I would love to see Moaeki team-up with fellow Hawkeye Dallas Clark in the Colts' 2-TE package.
BTW - A.J. Edds is an Indianapolis are kid. He has a sterling reputation going back to his high school days in Greenwood. The Purdue coaches raved about Edds' personal integrity after he turned them down and chose Iowa. Good luck to him.
Jack - are you anticipating a rash of player cuts and salary readjustments in the coming months?
Do you see a new (lower) floor for salaries in the league? Smoke or actual fire?
Edds not a violent tackler or physical at the point of attack? How do you figure this? He's 6-4 250lbs and was asked to cover the slot WR and/or TEs. His responsibilities as a LB, included covering more of the field than the other 2 LBs in Iowa's system. Give me an example of how he was not "physical at the point of attack" please. I rarely saw Edds miss a tackle.
Very good article
Thanks
Angerer got more love, but Edds was a stud in coverage for most of the year. If it weren't for his ability to defend the pass, Parker's conservative defense wouldn't have worked out nearly as well as it did this season. I wish all the best for both him and Tony in the pros.
These guys are Hawkeyes, They have been coached as well as any players in college across the country and will contribute once they get in to camp due to the coaching and training they received in I.C.
Yes, I'm an Iowa homer but watch how KF's boys play once they get to Sundays and you'll know I'm right. They're coahed to play classic NFL schemes, and trained the same way. It does wonders for them at the next level.
Jack, I would guess you could make a good living repping Iowa players as your only gig?
If i was a college football player - linebacker/lineman/TE type - w/ 6th/7th/FA talent - I would seriously start asking my college coaches to teach me how to long snap. My team (which remain nameless - b/c we suck) has had the same long snapper for years and he has never seen a play from scrimmage as near as i can tell. 8-10 year career long snapping and playing special teams and getting an NFL paycheck...pretty good gig.
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Jan 28, 2010
03:29 PM
Jack, love your columns...I watch a good amount of the Hawks this past year. What makes AJ a starting LB in the pro's? I think he has a good amount of skills, but does not appear to be a violent tackler, or physical at the point of attack, any thoughts?