HairOnFire Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 SAM FARMER / ON THE NFLWooing NFL players can be more than a zero-sum propositionIn-demand free agents are getting extra millions in their contracts these days, but elaborate recruiting pitches can help seal the deal too.Sam Farmer March 8, 2009 Have you followed these NFL free agents?What a bunch of zeros!That's six zeros for Chris Canty, who signed a $42,000,000 deal with the New York Giants. Six more for Bart Scott, who inked a $48,000,000 deal with the New York Jets. And a whopping eight for Albert Haynesworth, whose Washington Redskins contract could be worth as much as $100,000,000 (although, without guaranteed contracts, players seldom realize full value of those staggering numbers). Nevertheless, forget Wheaties. With all these zeros, these guys should be hawking Cheerios.But sometimes a free agent is looking at more than the bottom line. Sometimes he wants to be wooed.Consider the case of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the free-agent receiver from Cincinnati who never felt fully appreciated with the Bengals, even though he's the only NFL player with at least 90 catches each of the last three seasons. Houshmandzadeh signed with Seattle last week, picking the Seahawks over the Minnesota Vikings. And check out the lengths the Seahawks went -- above and beyond a five-year, $40-million contract -- to convince him he was their guy.First, they dispatched one of the jets belonging to Seahawks owner Paul Allen, the Microsoft mega-billionaire, to pick up Houshmandzadeh and his wife and kids in Los Angeles and fly them to Seattle. Then, once the family arrived, they hopped on Allen's seaplane for a tour of the city, including a pass over Qwest Field, where the scoreboard was lighted with a shot of the receiver and his career stats.Also onboard the seaplane were Seahawks Coach Jim Mora, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and a couple of Seattle defensive backs, who, Mora joked, "didn't want to have to cover T.J. if he went to the Vikings."After the hourlong tour, the plane swooped down and landed on Lake Washington, directly in front of the Seahawks' massive new training facility, where Houshmandzadeh got a full-court-press sales pitch about how he would be featured in next season's offense. This type of free-agent visit -- far more elaborate than one for a typical player -- is choreographed to the last detail. For instance, one of the Seahawks' equipment men used to work in Cincinnati, and knew the kind of shoes and gloves that Houshmandzadeh prefers. And there they were, the same brand of shoes and gloves, complete with the lime-green Seahawks detail, positioned just so on a table where Houshmandzadeh couldn't help but notice them."It was perfect," Mora said. "T.J. walked right past that table and was like, `Hey! These are the kind I wear!' "Mora is quick to point out that the Seahawks are a fit for Houshmandzadeh for more meaningful reasons. ("We're a quality, committed organization that's willing to go to any lengths, within reason, to win," he said.) But he also knows that when it comes to recruiting a so-called A-plus free agent, the details matter.Although not speaking specifically about the Seahawks, longtime NFL agent Jerome Stanley said many teams subscribe to the theory that money spent in recruiting can save them money when it comes to contract offers."The goal is to save every dime in the contract," Stanley said. "If they can get you emotionally invested, they think that can give them an advantage in the negotiation of a deal."No matter how much they want you, they're not going to give you a checkbook and say, 'Here, fill a number in.' "Sometimes it feels like it. Consider the case of quarterback Warren Moon, who was essentially a free agent even before the NFL had free agency. He began his pro career with six phenomenally successful seasons in the Canadian Football League, so there was a bidding war when he came to the NFL in 1984.According to agent Leigh Steinberg, a dozen teams were interested in signing Moon, and -- in those days of no salary cap -- some outlandishly enticing offers were made, including an oil well from one owner, and several floors of a downtown skyscraper from another. Moon wound up signing a record-setting deal with the Houston Oilers that averaged $1.1 million per year.Fast-forward 25 years, and those leisurely multi-city tours are as outdated as those contract numbers. These days most free-agent deals are methodical, no-frills affairs conducted over the phone and fax lines. Quick visit. Medical tests galore. Sign on the dotted line.Every so often, however, there's a Houshmandzadeh -- a player a team wants so badly it will jump (and fly) through all sorts of hoops to land him. As NFL coaches and executives know, when one of those players walks into your headquarters, you do everything possible to ensure he doesn't leave until he's signed.And that was the goal in Seattle, although it wasn't accomplished. Houshmandzadeh had promised to visit the Vikings; he wanted to hear what they were offering. The Seahawks had to let him go.Mora felt very good about the visit, though, and he trusted that Houshmandzadeh did too. So, when they sat down for the last time, the coach pointed to the player's wristwatch -- a diamond-encrusted Breitling worth more than most cars. Mora asked to take custody of it, just more incentive for Houshmandzadeh to come back."I was half-joking," Mora said. "But he slipped it right off and handed it to me. . . . The first thing I did when he came back is I gave it right back to him."Along with six zeros. And that's not nothing.sam.farmer@latimes.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazkal Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 [quoteAlthough not speaking specifically about the Seahawks, longtime NFL agent Jerome Stanley said many teams subscribe to the theory that money spent in recruiting can save them money when it comes to contract offers."The goal is to save every dime in the contract," Stanley said. "If they can get you emotionally invested, they think that can give them an advantage in the negotiation of a deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wraith Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 You mean taking a perspective free agent out in Mike Brown's 1994 Chevy Lumina and taking him to get an ice cream at Graeter's doesn't have the same impact? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COB Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 the coach pointed to the player's wristwatch -- a diamond-encrusted Breitling worth more than most cars.Just taking care of the family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAPPYJAQ Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 You mean taking a perspective free agent out in Mike Brown's 1994 Chevy Lumina and taking him to get an ice cream at Graeter's doesn't have the same impact?Approximately the same impact as the players taking the team bus back to the airport when they leave or the Coach tickets that are provided to them upon their departure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJJackson Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Just the essentials - food, clothing, shelter, and diamond encrusted watches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted March 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 First, they dispatched one of the jets belonging to Seahawks owner Paul Allen, the Microsoft mega-billionaire, to pick up Houshmandzadeh and his wife and kids in Los Angeles and fly them to Seattle. Then, once the family arrived, they hopped on Allen's seaplane for a tour of the city, including a pass over Qwest Field, where the scoreboard was lighted with a shot of the receiver and his career stats. That's the one that cracked me up.....because it's a trick the Seahawks have used before. I can't remember the details, just the part about a visiting FA getting the sky tour that takes him over the stadium and it's giant scoreboard with the players face and stats displayed. Perhaps the Bengals can counter by taking FA on a riverboat ride past the stadium? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJJackson Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Perhaps the Bengals can counter by taking FA on a riverboat ride past the stadium?http://www.newportducks.comIt's quack-tacular Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pidge Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 I'm in tears here guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearcat1975 Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 we joke...and its only a dead horse because its true...Mike Brown's bare minimum approach to non-salary cap expenditures has taken the Bengals out of the running for quality free agents since free agency began.In a league of unprecedented parity, Mike Brown continually finds new ways to handicap his own franchise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearcat1975 Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 "Here's your ride back to the airport, Mr. Haynesworth. Sorry, no room in the front.""Hope you don't mind flying coach. We're trying out a new airline. It will be a little bumpy and you'll have to share your leg room, but it'll be cozy. Plenty of time to think about the Cincinnati Bengals on your ride home." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAPPYJAQ Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 we joke...and its only a dead horse because its true...Mike Brown's bare minimum approach to non-salary cap expenditures has taken the Bengals out of the running for quality free agents since free agency began.In a league of unprecedented parity, Mike Brown continually finds new ways to handicap his own franchise.Because Mike Brown thinks we have to follow the "Cincinnati is a small market city" model and anything less would be unbecoming of a "small market" team. Besides, Mike Brown needs more chips to count. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJJackson Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 and a new muffler for his 84 Lumina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearcat1975 Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Because Mike Brown thinks we have to follow the "Cincinnati is a small market city" model and anything less would be unbecoming of a "small market" team.Not exactly. Besides, Mike Brown needs more chips to count.Now you're getting it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 So, when they sat down for the last time, the coach pointed to the player's wristwatch -- a diamond-encrusted Breitling worth more than most cars.A million dollars really isn't that much and God knows he needs more to take care of his family right ??I mean so are we expected to believe he hasn't planned for his kids education, but owns a watch like that ??Living above your means must SUCK !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearcat1975 Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 So, when they sat down for the last time, the coach pointed to the player's wristwatch -- a diamond-encrusted Breitling worth more than most cars.A million dollars really isn't that much and God knows he needs more to take care of his family right ??I mean so are we expected to believe he hasn't planned for his kids education, but owns a watch like that ??Living above your means must SUCK !!!I'll bet the owner of the Seahawks has a nicer watch, I'll put it that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 So, when they sat down for the last time, the coach pointed to the player's wristwatch -- a diamond-encrusted Breitling worth more than most cars.A million dollars really isn't that much and God knows he needs more to take care of his family right ??I mean so are we expected to believe he hasn't planned for his kids education, but owns a watch like that ??Living above your means must SUCK !!!I'll bet the owner of the Seahawks has a nicer watch, I'll put it that way. I'll bet he's also not the dumbass who makes a comment about after becoming a millionaire he needs to make sure he can get all the money he can in order to "take care of his family". I'll put it that way !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingwilly Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 people who think they are rich have a diamond encrusted Breitling.actual rich people send their G5 to pick up people who wear diamond encrusted Breitling's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 People that think people wearing Breitlings aren't rich are probably the same people that think a million dollars ISN'T a lot of money.And once again, that must suck !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pidge Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 People that think people wearing Breitlings aren't rich are probably the same people that think a million dollars ISN'T a lot of money.And once again, that must suck !!!I wear a Breitling watch. Lovely it is too. I'm not rich at all - certainly not pro athlete douchebag rich. It was a present for my 25th from my wife (this was before she started loathing the very sight of me and throwing her entire energy into making every waking second of my life a living hell obviously). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Ok, gifts aside. Sounds like you married my ex-wife !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whizzo Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 man, now i am so looking forward to marriage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pidge Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 I jest of course. She's fantastic and far too kind and patient with me. /henpecked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 I can't speak enough about my wife. Mrs. ArmyBengal is a great wife and mother to ArmyBengal Jr !!!**SLAM** **CRASH** **BANG**GODD*MNIT HONEY QUIT LOGGING ONTO THE BENGALS WEBSITE !!!Marriage is great Whizzo !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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