ProFootballTalk -

The Sports Illustrated tell-all article on the sports agent industry has already created a problem for one of its subjects.

 

ESPN tells Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal that they are looking into allegations that agent Gary Wichard and Mel Kiper's relationship is a little too cozy.

 

"We just learned of the story today and are looking into it," ESPN's statement read.

 

In the excellent article by George Dohrmorn, former sports agent Josh Luchs recalls a story where Wichard arranged for Kiper to call during a meeting in 2000 with Stanford defensive lineman Willie Howard.

 

"Gary and I were talking to Willie in Gary's office when Gary's phone rang, and he put it on speakerphone," Luchs recalls. "'Viper, how are you?' Gary said. That's what he called Mel, Viper or Vipe. 'Viper, I'm sitting here with the best defensive lineman in college football. Do you know who that is?'

 

'You must be with Willie Howard,' Mel said."

 

This isn't the first time there have been questions raised about Kiper's relationships with Wichard. PFT wrote an article back in April about Kiper's ranking of Jimmy Clausen as his top prospect at quarterback. Clausen was a Wichard client.

 

In an article for the Washington Post, Kiper admitted that he's friends with many agents but denied any favoritism.

 

"I don't shill for anybody," Kiper said.

 

Kiper denied Luch's version of the Howard story to SI, saying there wasn't a prearranged call. He says he has similar conversations with players for many agents. Howard, on the other hand, said Kiper called, confirming Luch's story.

 

Whether Kiper's evaluations are unbiased or not, the story presents a major problem for the draft guru. ESPN must consider whether they want one of their analysts helping agent friends to land clients.

ProFootballTalk -

 

Damn, I thought "relationship" meant something else. Whew!

In terms of pure skill, you can make an argument Clausen was #1. Overall though, Bradford was #1 with a bullet.

In terms of pure skill, you can make an argument Clausen was #1. Overall though, Bradford was #1 with a bullet.

 

Pure skill with Clausen? The only thing he can do well is throw a deep ball. His arm strength has never been above average, and he has no mobility.

In terms of pure skill, you can make an argument Clausen was #1. Overall though, Bradford was #1 with a bullet.

 

Thats the thing though, even if his pure skill would put him at #1(debatable), Kiper is paid to evaluate everything, not just skill. It was almost unanimous that Clausens attitude was a huge downfall for him and is the reason he fell so far. Kiper should of been able to see that and correctly assess his value in the draft

Hub had a great point on Boers and Bernsie yesterday: ProFootbal Weekly had Clausen has a mid-2nd round pick. Kiper had him in the top 10 (i think).

Pure skill with Clausen? The only thing he can do well is throw a deep ball. His arm strength has never been above average, and he has no mobility.

 

Yeah, best pure skill for a QB. Running is more of a modern thing. He had decent mobility, has great arm strength good accuracy, etc. That's not everything though.

 

Thats the thing though, even if his pure skill would put him at #1(debatable), Kiper is paid to evaluate everything, not just skill. It was almost unanimous that Clausens attitude was a huge downfall for him and is the reason he fell so far. Kiper should of been able to see that and correctly assess his value in the draft

 

Exactly. He had little respect from his teammates and even from regular people(guy who punched him out at a bar). He struck everyone as a dbag, and he hasn't shown anyone otherwise. He even blamed an INT on a receiver, who even if he didn't hear the audible, or he ran the incorrect route, you don't do on national tv to make yourself look better which is clearly what he tried to do. A QB is supposed to have intangibles and on great teams, is a leader. Clausen has nooooooooooooooooo leadership skills whatsoever.

 

Hub had a great point on Boers and Bernsie yesterday: ProFootbal Weekly had Clausen has a mid-2nd round pick. Kiper had him in the top 10 (i think).

 

Sounds about accurate. I thought he was more of a 20th pick and on.

In terms of pure skill, you can make an argument Clausen was #1. Overall though, Bradford was #1 with a bullet.

Maybe back when he was coming out of High School. Clausen's College career exposed a lot of deeper flaws that arm strength just can't hide.

Clausen was running a pro-style offense in college which scouts love to see. Not that Bradford wasn't either, but it was hard to evaluate him with the injuries.