There's a growing buzz within league circles that Texans receiver Andre Johnson, the third overall pick in the draft, could lose big in his decision to negotiate a rookie deal without the benefit of an experienced agent.
As first reported here on July 12, Johnson and his uncle/adviser Andre Melton wanted to hire a low-profile agent who would accept a bargain-basement rate, since Melton plans to have a very active role in the discussions.
So they hired Don West, a little-known certified contract adviser with a grand total of, um, zero other clients.
We've been working the phones over the past few days to track down confirmation that West is indeed a newbie. We hear that he's a professor at the University of Miami law school. Merely 28 years of age, he's been characterized as a "real nice guy," but we hear that his knowledge of the workings of the salary cap is not good.
As first reported here on July 12, Johnson and his uncle/adviser Andre Melton wanted to hire a low-profile agent who would accept a bargain-basement rate, since Melton plans to have a very active role in the discussions.
So they hired Don West, a little-known certified contract adviser with a grand total of, um, zero other clients.
We've been working the phones over the past few days to track down confirmation that West is indeed a newbie. We hear that he's a professor at the University of Miami law school. Merely 28 years of age, he's been characterized as a "real nice guy," but we hear that his knowledge of the workings of the salary cap is not good.