Chad Clifton’s Packers deal was emotional, but that was six years ago. Andrew Brandt
What a busy night this is for NFL front offices. First, teams are making last-ditch attempts to keep their players from hitting the market at this, the height of their leverage with their teams. Interestingly, I remember two deals with the Packers done right before the stroke of midnight eastern to keep players in the fold -- players who are in that situation again tonight.
On the eve of free agency in 2004, we completed a deal for Packers left tackle Chad Clifton, a deal that truly went down to the wire. The comparable deals we were looking at were those of Luke Petitgout of the Giants and Flozell Adams of the Cowboys. Once those deals came in, the market was pretty much set for Chad, whose agent, Jimmy Sexton, was tough but fair and reasonable in his negotiations. I’ll never forget Chad -- and his wife -- coming in that night to sign his contract. He was dressed up and came with a camera to capture the moment.
Eighteen months earlier, Warren Sapp had laid out Chad with an injury that was truly career-threatening. Chad didn't know if he was going to walk, let alone play football, again. And there he was, signing a six-year, $32-million contract (which expires tonight). We all get a bit jaded in this business, but that was truly a special moment for a good guy and his wife, as there were tears flowing throughout the room (yes, some were mine).
On the eve of free agency in 2006, after months of negotiations, the Packers completed a deal for defensive end Aaron Kampman. General manager Ted Thompson came in from a trip and told me, in so many words, to pay whatever they were asking. Aaron was a true leader on the team, lifting the character level of those around him a notch. The key comparable of that deal was the contract of Kyle Vanden Bosch, now also a free agent, a four-year, $21M deal (which expires tonight). Now Vanden Bosch is also a free agent. After Aaron agreed to terms, we were going to hold the news until the next morning. I trusted Aaron to not tell anyone, but we didn't expect fans to break the news. As it turned out, the Packers fan event Fanfest was starting that night, and fans who were touring the stadium saw Aaron in my office -- despite the blinds being closed -- and put things together.
Both of these guys were signings on the eve of free agency…wonder whether that will happen again tonight.
Once the clock moves past midnight, negotiations with other teams' players can begin. Last year, while consulting for the Eagles, I went to the office around 10:30 p.m. and began negotiations with the Eagles' prime free-agent target, Stacy Andrews of the Bengals, at about 12:30 a.m. after Joe Banner made initial contact with the agent.
After proposals all night, and with agent Rich Moran accidentally confusing me with 49ers negotiator Paraag Marathe at one point, we were getting closer by sunrise so that both sides felt comfortable scheduling a trip to Philadelphia while negotiations continued. Finally, the deal for Andrews was consummated the next day, Saturday. Unfortunately for Stacy, his moment was overshadowed by the Broncos' aggressive play for the beloved Brian Dawkins (that’s a story for another time).
There will be lots of action tonight, both to keep players and to sign new ones. Let the games begin.
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It isn't tampering if he doesn't make contact until midnight....he just got to the office at 10:30 and picked up the phone at midnight. Anyone else buying that?
I would miss Clifton if for no other reason then it would deprive us Packer fans of a regular feature these last three or four seasons
"Chad Clifton's drive killing penalty of the week"
Jared Allen would miss him also.
Really, a guy with as much experience as he has, jumps off-side at the most inopportune moments. I guess sign him because they have no depth at Tackle and are not getting a better one in FA this month
Right. I had to reread that one as well. He was just missing a coma. It should have been:
"Once the clock moves past midnight, negotiations with other teams' players can begin. Last year, while consulting for the Eagles, I went to the office around 10:30 p.m.(,) and began negotiations with the Eagles' prime free-agent target, Stacy Andrews of the Bengals, at about 12:30 a.m. after Joe Banner made initial contact with the agent."
or
"Once the clock moves past midnight, negotiations with other teams' players can begin. Last year, while consulting for the Eagles, I went to the office around 10:30 p.m.(BREAK) I began negotiations with the Eagles' prime free-agent target, Stacy Andrews of the Bengals, at about 12:30 a.m. after Joe Banner made initial contact with the agent."
Ha ha ha. Thought the same. I was like, Andrew, you're kind of hanging the Eagles out to dry. Not the case. I could never even imagine a guy like Brandt doing something like that.
...And beyond all that, this was a GREAT article. Very cool to learn about how things REALLY go down. Thanks for the nice story, Andrew.
And, as a Packers fan, thanks for helping to land Cliffy and AK back then. I know you can't say, but I'll ask anyways:
Is there a good chance we retain either...or both?
Yes, on Andrews, the call to the agent was at 12:30 am, right after initial contact was made after midnight.
Nice article as usual Andrew. Is former Packer Rich Moran an agent or is this another Rich Moran??
Would love to hear the B-Dawk story.
The clock struck midnight and Brandterella called. He was letting everyone know how important tonight is to every front office.
I'm always fascinated by what goes on in the hours preceding free agency. And you need to tell the Dawkins story sometime. Seriously.
Chad Clifton is a penalty machine that kills drives eh? He should fit right in with the Skins then in taking Chris Samuels place another Mr. Drive Killer.
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Mar 04, 2010
05:24 PM
"Last year, while consulting for the Eagles, I went to the office around 10:30 p.m. and began negotiations with the Eagles' prime free-agent target, Stacy Andrews of the Bengals, at about 12:30 a.m. after Joe Banner made initial contact with the agent."
I know i just fell off the truck and all, but isn't that the defintion tampering.