Angus
Active Member
- Messages
- 5,097
- Reaction score
- 20
NFL blocks rookie Jackson from attending minicamp
He's caught in shuffle of player trading cards
By LORI NICKEL
lnickel@journalsentinel.com
Posted: May 17, 2007
Rookie running back Brandon Jackson got on a plane Thursday, but he wasn't bound for Green Bay anticipating his first handoff from Brett Favre and running behind Chad Clifton.
Instead, he was going to Los Angeles to flash his best smile. And he isn't happy about it.
The Green Bay Packers' second-round draft pick from Nebraska should be coming to Green Bay to get an eye-opener at his first full squad minicamp, and then enjoy the spoils - promotions, photographs, fame and money - if and when he ascends the depth chart.
Instead, Jackson is forced to choose the glitz of Hollywood over the grit of Green Bay.
According to Jackson's agent, Gary Wichard, a mandate handed down from the National Football League Management Council this week has barred Jackson from attending the Packers' mandatory minicamp today through Sunday because Jackson is expected to attend the "2007 Reebok NFL Rookie Premier, presented by EA Sports" to start working on his endorsement deals and player cards.
His only real choice is either to go to Los Angeles or stay at home. But he can't come to minicamp.
"They literally locked him out of camp," Wichard said. "The team is not allowed to have him. I think it's ridiculous."
Wichard first notified his client last Friday that he had been invited to the prestigious Premier event. It is a huge honor. It's the first time players are photographed by trading card companies like Topps, Press Pass and Upper Deck in their official pro gear.
Jackson was thrilled, of course. It lumps him in the "Who's Who" of future NFL stars. But he passed because of the schedule conflict.
"Brandon said, 'I want to go to the mandatory minicamp. This is with the veterans. I am going to get my shot at working with them,' " Wichard said.
Wichard respectfully declined on Jackson's behalf.
"They said, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, this is big, this is important,' " Wichard said. "I said, 'This is Brandon's decision. He wants to be in minicamp with his new teammates.' "
But on Wednesday, Wichard said, the Management Council (essentially the governing body of the NFL) told the Packers and Jackson that he isn't even allowed at the Packers' practice facility this weekend even if he doesn't go to the Rookie Premier.
Time will tell how much his absence from minicamp will set back Jackson in his development as a pro player. Instead of fighting Vernand Morency and Noah Herron for the early lead for the starting running back spot, he'll collect $12,000 for the weekend and is supposed to go against Brady Quinn, JaMarcus Russell and Adrian Peterson for endorsements and television exposure.
And there's no way Jackson could just pay a fine or something to get out of the NFL's version of a cotillion. Wichard doesn't see any way Jackson could even spend today in Los Angeles and at least join his team Saturday and Sunday.
The five sponsors of the event - Topps, EA Sports, Press Pass, Upper Deck and Reebok - pay big licensing fees to the NFL. This event is also scheduled to air at some point on NFL Network.
"You see what it is. It has nothing to do with the kid from Nebraska trying to make an impact," Wichard said. "All those licensees have a lot of money tied up and they want to make sure they have Brandon Jackson, the Green Bay running back, in their first rookie card deck. This is the big moment to launch him as a Green Bay Packer."
Thursday morning, Packers coach Mike McCarthy was asked if he expected everyone on the roster to attend the camp.
"I expect all our players to be here and I have not excused anybody," McCarthy said.
By Thursday afternoon, the Packers were deferring all questions about the Premier matter to Wichard. General manager Ted Thompson could not be reached for comment, and neither could anyone at the NFL offices or the NFL Players Association.
But McCarthy did say Thursday that he was looking forward to seeing Jackson on the field. Coming from Nebraska, which plays a West Coast offense with a zone-blocking scheme like the Packers', Jackson was supposed to get his first chance to get on the field with the rest of the Green Bay running backs and linemen this weekend.
"You're always gaining information, particularly about the new players because you never really understand an individual until you go through the heat of the battle," McCarthy said. "Obviously in the practice environment you're able to find out certain things."
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=607420
He's caught in shuffle of player trading cards
By LORI NICKEL
lnickel@journalsentinel.com
Posted: May 17, 2007
Rookie running back Brandon Jackson got on a plane Thursday, but he wasn't bound for Green Bay anticipating his first handoff from Brett Favre and running behind Chad Clifton.
Instead, he was going to Los Angeles to flash his best smile. And he isn't happy about it.
The Green Bay Packers' second-round draft pick from Nebraska should be coming to Green Bay to get an eye-opener at his first full squad minicamp, and then enjoy the spoils - promotions, photographs, fame and money - if and when he ascends the depth chart.
Instead, Jackson is forced to choose the glitz of Hollywood over the grit of Green Bay.
According to Jackson's agent, Gary Wichard, a mandate handed down from the National Football League Management Council this week has barred Jackson from attending the Packers' mandatory minicamp today through Sunday because Jackson is expected to attend the "2007 Reebok NFL Rookie Premier, presented by EA Sports" to start working on his endorsement deals and player cards.
His only real choice is either to go to Los Angeles or stay at home. But he can't come to minicamp.
"They literally locked him out of camp," Wichard said. "The team is not allowed to have him. I think it's ridiculous."
Wichard first notified his client last Friday that he had been invited to the prestigious Premier event. It is a huge honor. It's the first time players are photographed by trading card companies like Topps, Press Pass and Upper Deck in their official pro gear.
Jackson was thrilled, of course. It lumps him in the "Who's Who" of future NFL stars. But he passed because of the schedule conflict.
"Brandon said, 'I want to go to the mandatory minicamp. This is with the veterans. I am going to get my shot at working with them,' " Wichard said.
Wichard respectfully declined on Jackson's behalf.
"They said, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, this is big, this is important,' " Wichard said. "I said, 'This is Brandon's decision. He wants to be in minicamp with his new teammates.' "
But on Wednesday, Wichard said, the Management Council (essentially the governing body of the NFL) told the Packers and Jackson that he isn't even allowed at the Packers' practice facility this weekend even if he doesn't go to the Rookie Premier.
Time will tell how much his absence from minicamp will set back Jackson in his development as a pro player. Instead of fighting Vernand Morency and Noah Herron for the early lead for the starting running back spot, he'll collect $12,000 for the weekend and is supposed to go against Brady Quinn, JaMarcus Russell and Adrian Peterson for endorsements and television exposure.
And there's no way Jackson could just pay a fine or something to get out of the NFL's version of a cotillion. Wichard doesn't see any way Jackson could even spend today in Los Angeles and at least join his team Saturday and Sunday.
The five sponsors of the event - Topps, EA Sports, Press Pass, Upper Deck and Reebok - pay big licensing fees to the NFL. This event is also scheduled to air at some point on NFL Network.
"You see what it is. It has nothing to do with the kid from Nebraska trying to make an impact," Wichard said. "All those licensees have a lot of money tied up and they want to make sure they have Brandon Jackson, the Green Bay running back, in their first rookie card deck. This is the big moment to launch him as a Green Bay Packer."
Thursday morning, Packers coach Mike McCarthy was asked if he expected everyone on the roster to attend the camp.
"I expect all our players to be here and I have not excused anybody," McCarthy said.
By Thursday afternoon, the Packers were deferring all questions about the Premier matter to Wichard. General manager Ted Thompson could not be reached for comment, and neither could anyone at the NFL offices or the NFL Players Association.
But McCarthy did say Thursday that he was looking forward to seeing Jackson on the field. Coming from Nebraska, which plays a West Coast offense with a zone-blocking scheme like the Packers', Jackson was supposed to get his first chance to get on the field with the rest of the Green Bay running backs and linemen this weekend.
"You're always gaining information, particularly about the new players because you never really understand an individual until you go through the heat of the battle," McCarthy said. "Obviously in the practice environment you're able to find out certain things."
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=607420
