WR Emmanuel Sanders signs with Denver - Executives cry foul

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Executives crying foul over Emmanuel Sanders deal

By Ian Rapoport NFL.com
NFL Media Insider
Published: March 16, 2014 at 12:05 a.m. Updated: March 16, 2014 at 12:19 a.m. 8 Likes | 2 Comments
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Emmanuel Sanders is expected to sign with the Broncos tomorrow, but the process that led him there left the other teams involved fuming and crying foul. One team official claimed Sanders' agent broke "every rule in negotiations."

Agent Steve Weinberg, on behalf of the receiver, accepted a deal with the Chiefs in principle, according to one team source. Weinberg then engaged in negotiations with the Tampa Bay Bucs, according to another source involved in the process.

While shopping the Chiefs offer to the Bucs, Weinberg never explained that he had already accepted the terms of Kansas City's offer. Later in the night, Sanders' agent had agreed to terms with the Broncos, which is where he is currently headed. Sanders and Weinberg also rankled the 49ers by agreeing to visit, then blowing it off.

"This was one of the worst situations in modern football negotiations," one executive involved said. "Totally wrong. This needs to be stopped."

Reached at his home late Saturday, Weinberg declined to comment on the record when informed of the allegations.

The Dallas-based agent was recently reinstated by the NFL Players Association, which had barred and decertified him in 2003 because it had reportedly found he diverted assets to an offshore account during a dispute with a partner and collecting a fee from a client prematurely. Weinberg later filed suit against the NFLPA and its top officials, alleging they illegally took away his certification for eight years, along with past, present and future income of clients.

Weinberg has two clients currently on NFL teams, not including Sanders. He had 42 before he was barred.

While Weinberg broke no laws in accepting a deal, the entire situation infuriated those he dealt with. It is commonly accepted in the league that once two sides agree to a deal -- in writing or in handshake form -- that's the end of the story. Instead, by Weinberg shopping the Chiefs deal and then not informing the Bucs that a deal had been reached showed another side of the business. It is unclear if the Broncos were aware of the previous actions.

"When a man gives you his words and pulls out," one executive said, "then gives another team your word and pulls out, then gives another team his word ... Not proper."


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Denver is giving former Steelers WR Emmanuel Sanders a 3-year, $15M contract. Team announced agreement.

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

File a grievance and get what?

A "we're sorry, but . . ."

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Sorter

I think it's more to do with the lack of activity KC has had in free agency than people thinking Sanders is a must-have.

.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

File a grievance and get what?

A heartfelt apology.

[mdstu]

Originally Posted by vailpass

And if the agent assured Elway no formal agreement was in place? It's not up to Elway to vet that, the agent is responsible for factual representation.

You should make all your post in the form of a question, then your transformation into vailDonger would be complete.

[SPATCH]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

File a grievance and get what?

It doesn't matter. We should file the grievance out of principle. Don't take this kind of thing lying down.

[Mother****erJones]

It's the principle of it all JFC. Some on here are acting like we think Sanders is a legit number 1. No. It's about us signing a guy then getting ****ed by his agent and our division rival.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Sorter

I think it's more to do with the lack of activity KC has had in free agency than people thinking Sanders is a must-have.

I believe that to be true.

However, I personally believe that almost everyone here undervalues Sanders.

He was 1 of only 2 players that I believed the Chiefs should target in free agency before the free agent signing period began.

He hasn't fully reached his potential, and I believe that Todd Haley's offense held him back to a large degree.

He has the speed, versatility, discipline, and hands that Alex Smith could have utilized in this offense to raise the level of his game.

[Desheveler]

Originally Posted by Sorter

I'll take a late round pick over not having an additional one.


I do think that what is in bold is the likely scenario. However, packaging that selection or others to move up could prove useful.

I think you should stick to posting gifs. We won't get shit and we are entitled to nothing. He didn't break the rules. The agent might be done and blacklisted by all execs but, we don't deserve anything. There's no law against Tom Foolery.

[OrtonsPiercedTaint]

Originally Posted by Desheveler

I find the excuses funny. We don't deserve to win shit until the excuses and cockimamy conspiracy theories are put to rest.

reported as racist

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by milkman

I believe that to be true.

However, I personally believe that almost everyone here undervalues Sanders.

He was 1 of only 2 players that I believed the Chiefs should target in free agency before the free agent signing period began.

He hasn't fully reached his potential, and I believe that Todd Haley's offense held him back to a large degree.

He has the speed, versatility, discipline, and hands that Alex Smith could have utilized in this offense to raise the level of his game.

And he also has busted feet. That's why Rex Ryan didn't bring him in for a look.

[hometeam]

Filing a grievance will get the same done as not.

Nothing.

[NCarlsCorner2]

Broncos intend to proceed with Sanders deal

Posted by Mike Florio on March 16, 2014, 11:18 AM EDT
Images Officially, the Chiefs and Broncos have no comment about the contention that receiver Emmanuel Sanders had an agreement in principle with Kansas City before agreeing to terms in Denver.
Unofficially, they’re saying plenty.
The Chiefs indeed believe that a deal was in place with agent Steve Weinberg. The Broncos contend they didn’t know about the existence of a verbal deal with the Chiefs. The Broncos likewise intend to proceed with the signing of Sanders to a written contract.
Now that the Broncos know that the Chiefs believe a deal was in place before an agreement was reached with Denver, the Broncos could (in theory) fully investigate the situation and, if persuaded that the contention is true, refuse to proceed with a written contract.
Of course, for the same reason that the Broncos would have the right to pull the plug now, Sanders had the right to pull the plug on the Chiefs. Regardless of what the Chiefs think of Weinberg’s alleged tactics, a deal isn’t done until it’s signed and filed and approved by the league office.
Coincidentally, the Broncos know a thing or two about the difference between agreements in principle and binding contracts. Last year, they had an agreement in principle with defensive end Elvis Dumervil on a revised contract. Because the documents weren’t signed on a timely basis, the revised contract wasn’t binding — and the Broncos were forced to terminate the existing deal before a significant financial obligation to Dumervil was triggered.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Desheveler

I think you should stick to posting gifs. We won't get shit and we are entitled to nothing. He didn't break the rules. The agent might be done and blacklisted by all execs but, we don't deserve anything. There's no law against Tom Foolery.

Compelling and rich.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by the_spatula

It doesn't matter. We should file the grievance out of principle. Don't take this kind of thing lying down.

Agreed. We won't get anything of value, but you can't let a precedent begin of being a complete pushover (meaning Andy and Dorsey).

[milkman]

Originally Posted by the_spatula

Well, as long as the Donks are in near-sighted go mode, we might as well keep with the emphasis on the draft and shrewdness in FA to maximize our long-term potential.

That's really our only choice at this point.

Same as it has always been.