Like Northcutt... Owens agent forgets to file paperwork, will be a 49er for 3 more.

[ScottVib]

Dan Patrick's radio show is reporting that like Dennis Northcutt (see related thread) that Terrell Owens agent made the same mistake and T.O. now faces 3 more seasons in the Bay Area.

[The Afoci]

You would think San Fran would have made sure they got that paperwork.

[MikeVic]

Ahahaha. That's great.

[rkmsuf]

DOH!!!

[corbes]

what's with all this agent-forgetting? does this always happen?

[cthomer5000]

so awesome.

[Crapshoot]

This is way cool- I thought that given we had designed Peterson as the Franchise player, we would have either lost Owens or got nothing for him. Glad that's settled- plus, it avoids having to pay him a huge signing bonus now...

[sooner333]

Other than the fact that Owens probably won't try anymore, this is great for 49er fans. I can't believe that both top recievers in free agency just forgot the paperwork...that's unbelievable.

[rkmsuf]

This is way cool- I thought that given we had designed Peterson as the Franchise player, we would have either lost Owens or got nothing for him. Glad that's settled- plus, it avoids having to pay him a huge signing bonus now...

Yeah, that's sure to be a clubhouse filled with harmony...

Not way he stays and perhaps this helps a trade although good luck to the team on the receiving end. This guy is gonna whine like a titty baby until his deal is redone...

[The_herd]

Odds on a disgruntled Owens pouting and underperforming until he gets his big signing bonus?

[Ksyrup]

I wonder if these guys, or that guy who rep'd that Miami Heat player who forgot to meet a filing deadline that cost him $3M, are attorneys. Reading the fine-print and meeting deadlines is, like, what we do.

[Maple Leafs]

Now being reported on the Fox site:
http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=2179048

By the way, can anyone picture TO and his agent standing by the fax machine, paperwork in hand, a few minutes before the deadine... the agent turns to Owens and says "What do you mean you don't have a pen?"

[cthomer5000]

The 49ers management must be dancing right now. Now they've kept Peterson and can trade Owens. This is nearly unbelievable.

[Franklinnoble]

He's gonna get traded anyway. But that certainly screws up his chances of getting a fat bonus.

[AgPete]

Do you even need a high school degree to be an agent? Northcutt and Owens agents don't do something as simple as fax some paperwork in thus losing out on free agency. Arrington's agent doesn't bother to read the contract before he signs it thus losign millions of dollars for his client. Some secretaries are getting fired this week.

[cthomer5000]

T.O. needs to pull a Rick James on his agent.

[Maple Leafs]

Here's what we need to know: Does Owens get any sort of automatic bonus for not escaping the contract?

If so, and even though this was an accidental move, wouldn't that bonus then screw up any plans for the 49ers to trade or release him?

[rkmsuf]

There's never been a mention of a roster bonus but regardless, the fact the 49ers have to carry his salary screws up their roster plans and also muddies the Jeff Garcia front...

[The_herd]

Do you even need a high school degree to be an agent? Northcutt and Owens agents don't do something as simple as fax some paperwork in thus losing out on free agency. Arrington's agent doesn't bother to read the contract before he signs it thus losign millions of dollars for his client. Some secretaries are getting fired this week.

I read on ESPN that there are over 900 agents filed with the NFL, only around 450 actually have clients. An interesting stat, and a number that high leads me to believe all one really needs to do is proclaim yourself an agent and file the necessary paperwork with the league.

[cthomer5000]

Here's what we need to know: Does Owens get any sort of automatic bonus for not escaping the contract?

If so, and even though this was an accidental move, wouldn't that bonus then screw up any plans for the 49ers to trade or release him?


If I would screw things up that badly, the 49ers could always grant an extension of the deadline.

My guess they will now go 100% into "Trade T.O." mode.

[MikeVic]

I read on ESPN that there are over 900 agents filed with the NFL, only around 450 actually have clients. An interesting stat, and a number that high leads me to believe all one really needs to do is proclaim yourself an agent and file the necessary paperwork with the league.

They actually remembered to fill out paper work to become an agent? :eek:

[WSUCougar]

Maybe Jim can put the "agent is an idiot" random event into the E patch...

[AgPete]

Maybe Jim can put the "agent is an idiot" random event into the E patch...

ROFL :)

[FrogMan]

By the way, can anyone picture TO and his agent standing by the fax machine, paperwork in hand, a few minutes before the deadine... the agent turns to Owens and says "What do you mean you don't have a pen?"
ML, that one really had me laughing out loud, classic!!! :D

FM

[JAG]

Unreal.

[tucker342]

LOL:D

Big break for the 49ers, as now they can trade him and get something in return:)

[Passacaglia]

I think a similar thing happened last season, with the Bears forgetting to file the paperwork to make Dwayne Bates a restricted free agent. Or at least, they forgot to fill out the paperwork that gave them a draft pick. If I remember, the Vikings made an offer, and since the Bears weren't going to get a draft pick out of losing him, they matched the offer. They cut him a couple days later, and the Vikes signed him. At least, that's how I think it happened.

[cthomer5000]

I think a similar thing happened last season, with the Bears forgetting to file the paperwork to make Dwayne Bates a restricted free agent. Or at least, they forgot to fill out the paperwork that gave them a draft pick. If I remember, the Vikings made an offer, and since the Bears weren't going to get a draft pick out of losing him, they matched the offer. They cut him a couple days later, and the Vikes signed him. At least, that's how I think it happened.

I believe that was pretty much the exact scenario.

[jfbbis]

Is there any possibility that "forgetting" the paperwork was a way for Owens to save face because staying with 49ers was in fact his best interest for reasons he was the only one to know? positive drug test leading to a possible suspension, impossibility to pass a physical exam for such or such reasons, this kind of things ?

[Kodos]

Why do bad things always happen to good people? :D

[yabanci]

countdown to litigation begins......now.

[Logan]

Is there any possibility that "forgetting" the paperwork was a way for Owens to save face because staying with 49ers was in fact his best interest for reasons he was the only one to know? positive drug test leading to a possible suspension, impossibility to pass a physical exam for such or such reasons, this kind of things ?

Doubt it.

[Solecismic]

Owens does not have a roster bonus in any of the last three years of his contract. He's signed at $5.3, $5.9 and $6.5 million. There are some incentives judged not-likely-to-be-earned at about $1.5 million, which must really be something in his case, though they include Pro Bowl appearances.

He does, however, have the same out clause based on playing time for next season, I believe. He has already met the playing time requirement to trigger that clause. I am not sure if the out clause is a one-time-only deal.

I had thought Northcutt was no longer under contract. He must have resigned during the season, and I didn't notice. Weird that it would include an out clause so soon.

[Ksyrup]

It may vary by league, but I know that for the NFL, you have to have a 4-year degree, apply with the NFLPA, get a background check, attend a seminar, and take a test.

[Celeval]

Northcutt's contract with the Browns was a seven-year deal upon signing in 2000 - the last three years of those were to be voided for performance incentives that he hit some time ago, IIRC.

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/sports/8044373.htm

[Maple Leafs]

According to CBS, Owens' deal originally called for a March 2 deadline for filing his papers. The 49ers claim that a later addendum to the deal changed the date to Feb. 21.

If true, that would explain why the agent missed the deadline. It also sets up nicely for a legal challenge. I wouldn't be stunned to see TO wind up as a FA after all.

[judicial clerk]

Didn't an agent for an NBA player forget to pick up the optional year on his clients contract? It cost the player something like 5 million?

As a lawyer, this stuff makes me feel sick to my stomach. Their first call should be to their malpractice insurance carrier.

I also wonder if TO's camp didn't do this intentionally.

[TazFTW]

Didn't an agent for an NBA player forget to pick up the optional year on his clients contract? It cost the player something like 5 million?

That would be former University of Hawaii player, Anthony Carter.

[The_herd]

I think a similar thing happened last season, with the Bears forgetting to file the paperwork to make Dwayne Bates a restricted free agent. Or at least, they forgot to fill out the paperwork that gave them a draft pick. If I remember, the Vikings made an offer, and since the Bears weren't going to get a draft pick out of losing him, they matched the offer. They cut him a couple days later, and the Vikes signed him. At least, that's how I think it happened.

It was 2 seasons ago. The Bears actually forgot to submit the paperwork to get compensation for him. So the Vikes signed him and the Bears were in a situation where they could either match the offer or let him go with no compensation. So the Bears just let him go. In hindsight it was good move, because Bates has improved very little since being drafted.

[The_herd]

According to CBS, Owens' deal originally called for a March 2 deadline for filing his papers. The 49ers claim that a later addendum to the deal changed the date to Feb. 21.

If true, that would explain why the agent missed the deadline. It also sets up nicely for a legal challenge. I wouldn't be stunned to see TO wind up as a FA after all.

I don't think this changes anything. He has an agent with the responsibility of knowing his client's contracts. He failed to do his job, and any legal battle would be a waste of time and money.

[miami_fan]

Didn't an agent for an NBA player forget to pick up the optional year on his clients contract? It cost the player something like 5 million?

As a lawyer, this stuff makes me feel sick to my stomach. Their first call should be to their malpractice insurance carrier.

I also wonder if TO's camp didn't do this intentionally.

In the end it did not "cost" Anthony Carter cause the agent paid him the difference between what he ended up signing for and what his option year called for him to get.

I question whether TO did not do this on purpose as well. I mean Greg Knapp is gone and because he is staying and the Niners franchising Peterson, Garcia may be on his way.... a good thing in TO's book. Also in recent weeks, there was a lot of speculation as to whether TO was worthy of a huge contract. He may have decided it was in his best interests to stay put

[Darkiller]

That's awesome news for the 49ers.
Peterson franchised and secured,...and Owens "under control" so that the team can now decide to do exactly what they want : either play him (why not ? he's really good, doesn't have that big a cap number in 2004 and might not have Garcia around -since I expect he'll be released by wednesday) or trade him for a 1st round pick.

Either way, we're very fortunate.

[Yossarian]

re: northcut

from fox...

Dennis Northcutt is in a similar predicament with the Browns. Northcutt had signed a seven-year contract with the Browns in 2000, but the final three years of the deal were supposed to be voidable if he had reached specific performance targets. But since the proper paperwork hadn't been filed in time, the Browns were reportedly going to hold Northcutt to the terms of the full contract.

[cthomer5000]

It was 2 seasons ago. The Bears actually forgot to submit the paperwork to get compensation for him. So the Vikes signed him and the Bears were in a situation where they could either match the offer or let him go with no compensation. So the Bears just let him go. In hindsight it was good move, because Bates has improved very little since being drafted.


I'm pretty sure have the facts wrong. The Bears *did* match the offer (upon realizing they wouldn't receive anything for him), but ended up releasing him before the bonus payment was due. I think their intent was to match the offer, then trade him. When it didn't work out they released him and he got a raw deal overall.

EDIT: Link (from Bears website) detailing how they did match the offer
http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/CHI/5195901

[Sun Tzu]

Knowing how much Terrell dislikes having Jeff (dink and dunk) Garcia as his quarterback, I think it just may be possible that this was purposefuly done. There is a very good chance that Garcia will be released soon. It is clear that Erickson and the 49ers are now looking to completely rid their team of the aging veterans (Deese, Hearst, most likely Garcia), and let the impressive youngsters step up and have their chance. The only vet left is Bryant Young, but seeing as how the 49ers don't have anybody to replace him I doubt they will release him.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Jeff (dink and dunk) Garcia

You know, it's Friday afternoon and I'm pretty tired, but I was positive this said "Jeff (DRINK and DRUNK) Garcia." I thought it was a somewhat cruel, but kinda funny joke given Jeff's recent DUI.

[The_herd]

I'm pretty sure have the facts wrong. The Bears *did* match the offer (upon realizing they wouldn't receive anything for him), but ended up releasing him before the bonus payment was due. I think their intent was to match the offer, then trade him. When it didn't work out they released him and he got a raw deal overall.

EDIT: Link (from Bears website) detailing how they did match the offer
http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/CHI/5195901

I stand corrected on that part. Bates was a restricted free agent though, I believe what happened was when the Bears submited his paperwork they didn't fill out the part that determines what compensation they would get if a team signed him, forcing them into a no win situation.

As I said, it worked out for the Bears, Bates was a promising player at the time, but hasn't improved one bit since leaving the team.

[corbes]

Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Stephen A. Smith uses Owens in his continuing quest to stand up for Everyman:

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/8074179.htm

[rkmsuf]

Someone has to stick it to the man...

[The_herd]

Yet here is Mr. Owens. The man with the Sharpie inside his sock allegedly neglected to stay on top of his agent, potentially costing the enigmatic all-pro wide receiver anywhere from $15 million to $20 million.

For some reason, people find this funny!

Every F**king bit of it.

Life, indeed, does stink sometimes. Even in areas by the Bay.

Yep, it really sucks to have a contract with over $17 million in salary over the next 3 years.

BTW, I find Steven A. Smith to be one of the most obnoxious people I've ever heard speak.

[corbes]

BTW, I find Steven A. Smith to be one of the most obnoxious people I've ever heard speak.
Oh, to live in Philadelphia and have him grace your newspaper every day. He writes the same article over and over and over, only usually it's about Allen Iverson.

[rkmsuf]

He must love Chris Ford...

[corbes]

He must love Chris Ford...
You can't spell "Chris N. Ford's Team" without THE MAN!!!