Two interesting agent notes (1 Viewer)

[GroveDiesel]

Just two interesting NFL agent tidbits that I ran across today, both of them somewhat old news:

1) Drew Rosenhaus doesn't represent a single first round draft pick for this season. I think the T.O. mess absolutely killed his reputation. It's about time his little act bit him.

2) Agent Neil Cornrich is serving a one year suspension imposed by the NFLPA for testifying against Derrick Thomas's estate. What a piece of work this guy is. Check out this article:

NFL AGENTS TO TESTIFY AT THOMAS TRIAL

July 12, 2004

SportsBusiness Journal

By Liz Mullen

NFL player agents Leigh Steinberg and Neil Cornrich are potential witnesses in a trial set to begin this week in Jackson County, Mo., involving the death of former All-Pro NFL linebacker Derrick Thomas.

Thomas’ mother, Edith Morgan, is suing General Motors Corp., alleging that Thomas died because the roof of the Chevrolet Suburban that Thomas was driving collapsed when the car crashed on an icy highway in January 2000. Thomas was paralyzed in the accident and died two weeks later in a hospital.

The lawsuit contends the Suburban’s roof was defective. The automaker denies that its vehicle was defective.

Steinberg, who was Thomas’ longtime agent, is testifying for Morgan about Thomas’ future earning capacity, both on the field and off, had he lived. Steinberg, who has refused payment for his testimony, has compared Thomas’ earning capacity to his client, all-time sack leader Bruce Smith, as well as to All-Pro Miami Dolphins linebacker Junior Seau.

Cornrich, who is testifying on behalf of General Motors, said in a deposition that Thomas, who was 33 when he died, could not have played as long as Smith, who retired at the end of last season at age 40. Cornrich also testified that Thomas should not be compared to Seau in earnings potential, although he did not say why.

Cornrich testified that Thomas, despite his nine Pro Bowl appearances, was “a rapidly descending player” and would likely have been out of the league in a year or two. Cornrich also testified that Thomas’ earnings capacity for endorsements may have decreased “if his personal issues became public,” but he did not elaborate on what he meant by that.

Cornrich testified that he was being paid $1,000 an hour by General Motors for his testimony.

Cornrich wouldn’t comment for this story.

I came across this while perusing the Buffalobills.com message board in relation to Donte Whitner. Apparently Whitner is using an agent from Cornrich's agency. Seems like a rather poor choice to use a firm that won't have any problem trashing dead players and saying that at 33 years old they were "a rapidly descending player."