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Leinart's plan: Don't go too low
By War Room scouts
As we inch closer to the draft, rumors run rampant through NFL circles. There are several stories floating around that could impact the first round of the draft. The most significant story involves Matt Leinart's recent change of agents.
Leinart recently fired Leigh Steinberg and signed with Tom Condon, who just left mega-agency IMG to join Creative Artists Agency, the company that already had been signed to handle Leinart's marketing efforts. On the surface, the switch from Steinberg to Condon looks like an effort by Leinart to create synergy between his football agency and his marketing team, but there is much more to this story.
The story goes that Leinart believes Condon can swing a trade -- much the way he did for Eli Manning on draft day in 2004 -- to make sure he is the No. 2 pick, even if it's not to the Saints. Condon represented the Manning brothers, LaDainian Tomlinson and many others at IMG. He was the agent who helped orchestrate Eli's trade to the Giants after Eli said he would not play for the Chargers after being the first overall pick.
Leinart's change of agents does show his concern about his falling stock. Leinart and his advisors assumed he would be the No. 1 pick -- last year or this year -- which is why he chose to stay in school. When Reggie Bush pulled ahead, Leinart was OK because it was his teammate and because Leinart has witnessed firsthand Bush's amazing skill.
Now that N.C. State defensive end Mario Williams and Virginia left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson might have moved in front of Leinart and dropped him to No. 4, he is concerned. There are millions of dollars at stake, so Leinart does not want to be anything lower than the No. 2 pick. We have been told that Condon has assured Leinart that he can make that happen. Leinart has conceded the top spot but won't concede another.
Could Leinart really drop past the Titans at No. 3? His former offensive coordinator at Southern Cal, Norm Chow, is running the offense in Nashville and would love to work with him again. But a team looking for Ferguson or Williams at No. 3 could trade up into Tennessee's spot.
Titans officials like Leinart, but the team has many needs. Faced with an opportunity to trade down and accumulate picks would help the Titans address additional needs, Titans GM Floyd Reese would not hesitate to make the trade, especially if it's not a big move. Plus, Tennessee still might be able to get Leinart with a later pick.
The teams eager to get Ferguson or Williams also are talking with the Saints about the No. 2 pick. There are many potential trade scenarios, and Leinart's change of agents is an effort to ensure he doesn't drop any lower than No. 2.
War Room scouts analyze NFL and college players, coaches and teams for the Sporting News.
By War Room scouts
As we inch closer to the draft, rumors run rampant through NFL circles. There are several stories floating around that could impact the first round of the draft. The most significant story involves Matt Leinart's recent change of agents.
Leinart recently fired Leigh Steinberg and signed with Tom Condon, who just left mega-agency IMG to join Creative Artists Agency, the company that already had been signed to handle Leinart's marketing efforts. On the surface, the switch from Steinberg to Condon looks like an effort by Leinart to create synergy between his football agency and his marketing team, but there is much more to this story.
The story goes that Leinart believes Condon can swing a trade -- much the way he did for Eli Manning on draft day in 2004 -- to make sure he is the No. 2 pick, even if it's not to the Saints. Condon represented the Manning brothers, LaDainian Tomlinson and many others at IMG. He was the agent who helped orchestrate Eli's trade to the Giants after Eli said he would not play for the Chargers after being the first overall pick.
Leinart's change of agents does show his concern about his falling stock. Leinart and his advisors assumed he would be the No. 1 pick -- last year or this year -- which is why he chose to stay in school. When Reggie Bush pulled ahead, Leinart was OK because it was his teammate and because Leinart has witnessed firsthand Bush's amazing skill.
Now that N.C. State defensive end Mario Williams and Virginia left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson might have moved in front of Leinart and dropped him to No. 4, he is concerned. There are millions of dollars at stake, so Leinart does not want to be anything lower than the No. 2 pick. We have been told that Condon has assured Leinart that he can make that happen. Leinart has conceded the top spot but won't concede another.
Could Leinart really drop past the Titans at No. 3? His former offensive coordinator at Southern Cal, Norm Chow, is running the offense in Nashville and would love to work with him again. But a team looking for Ferguson or Williams at No. 3 could trade up into Tennessee's spot.
Titans officials like Leinart, but the team has many needs. Faced with an opportunity to trade down and accumulate picks would help the Titans address additional needs, Titans GM Floyd Reese would not hesitate to make the trade, especially if it's not a big move. Plus, Tennessee still might be able to get Leinart with a later pick.
The teams eager to get Ferguson or Williams also are talking with the Saints about the No. 2 pick. There are many potential trade scenarios, and Leinart's change of agents is an effort to ensure he doesn't drop any lower than No. 2.
War Room scouts analyze NFL and college players, coaches and teams for the Sporting News.
