Drew Rosenhaus: The Devil or a Genius?

It seems more times than not, when an NFL player is disgruntled there is one man pulling the strings.  He is the same man that strikes fear into the cold hearts of GM's everywhere by reaching deep into their team's pocket to pull out bigger pay days each time. 

The man I speak of is none other than Drew Rosenhaus.

Drew Rosenhaus represents over 90 current NFL players, including notables Chad Johnson, Terrell Owens, Willis McGahee, Lance Briggs, Javon Walker and Kellen Winslow Jr.  For these and the rest of his clients, life is good.  It seems to pay well to know Mr. Rosenhaus, so the players he represents always seem to have a large payday, if not now they will in the near future.

Currently there is a situation that eerily resembles what happened in the 2003-04 off season.  Terrell Owens was coming off of a great year, his team did not have the same success it did the year before.  The quarterback Jeff Garcia had some injury problems which gave the former pro bowl QB a sub par season. 

Garcia was easily one of the top QB's in the NFL at the time, having come from out of nowhere to being a pro bowl QB his stock was definitely on the rise.  Steve Mariucci was the coach and was proving he deserved the title.  That is, until Terrell Owens no longer saw the 49ers as contenders.  TO wanted out, he forced the 49ers to trade him since they were not going to allow him to be a free agent.  A trade was made sending TO to Baltimore which he immediately backed out on. 

We all know the story from that point, Owens goes to Philadelphia, has a terrific season, asks for more money and in walks his spotter Mr. Rosenhaus.  With a gun full of "no comment" he was firing away by Owens' side until they both escaped to Dallas. 

Now we have Chad Johnson, a receiver that had a good year on a team that did not preform as well as projected.  His QB (Carson Palmer) is also on the rise as one of the best in the game today, much like Garcia.  The true tragedy is with the coach Marvin Lewis, he helped pull Cincinnatti from the cellar of the NFL but now faces the fact that he too might find himself out of a job without the help of 85.

However, Chad Johnson is not alone.  He is armed with the same agent that has fought so many battles for his clients.  A man whose clients are always on top, regardless of the effect it has on the player's team. 

So as a warning to teams that have rookies to sign, pay them now or pay them later.  Either way, Mr. Rosenhaus is going to find a way to get the money for his client, whether by your own decision or him dismantling your team. 

Drew Rosenhaus is a great agent—maybe the best—but that may not be what is best for the NFL.