Agent speculation: We take a look at 30 players slated for next spring's draft and run down the firms we see them with in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 27
Rep Rumblings: Before you carve up the turkey take a minute to check out our brief Thanksgiving Day report.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 26
Rep Rumblings: Speculation on the draft decision -- and potential agent choices -- of one of the most celebrated players in college football leads today's report.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 25
Rep Rumblings: We take a look at the latest recruiting notes as well as the momentum building behind one of the bigger pre-combine training facilities in the South in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 24
Rep Rumblings: We take a closer look at one of the fastest-growing pre-combine workout facilities in the nation and what its growing power might mean for one firm in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 21
Rep Rumblings: A handful of West Coast-flavored notes are part of today's report.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 20
Rep Rumblings: We dissect the evolution of a developing recruiting base in Madison and clear up a misunderstanding in today's afternoon report.
Rep Rumblings: In today's early report, we very briefly discuss the latest we're hearing on a couple players as well as one last word on the Hula Bowl.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 19
Rep Rumblings: Recruiting notes with a strong West Coast flavor are part of today's report.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 18
Rep Rumblings: The recruiting news keeps pouring in and we have it to you in an early-afternoon report.
Rep Rumblings: With the recruiting winds blowing hard, we tell you what direction things are going with some of the bigger names in this year's draft in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 17
All-star grid: We finally updated our rundown of all the players we've heard are headed to January play. Check it out here.
Rep Rumblings: Recruiting insights, whispers and rumors are part of today's report.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 14
Rep Rumblings: More recruiting news and notes are part of today's report.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 13
Agent changes: It's been a slow last month for changes in representation, but we run down all five in today's report.
Rep Rumblings: We go around the country with the latest we're hearing on recruiting in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 12
Rep Rumblings: The buzz is flying hot and heavy about several top prospects in this spring's draft. Read what we're hearing in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 11
Rep Rumblings: We're back with a very-short report detailing more notes we've gathered in today's report.
Rep Rumblings: The recruiting buzz is really heating up, and we run it all down in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 10
Rep Rumblings: Notes on recruiting, legal news concerning agents and more traveling around the football business landscape are part of today's report.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 7
Rep Rumblings: Some agreeing, and some dissenting, voices on what we've heard about the pursuit of several top prospects in the '09 draft are part of today's report.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 6
Player report: Abilene Christian WO Johnny Knox came into the season as an unknown but continues to climb the chart due to his productivity, his team's success, and his sub-4.4 speed. His brother-in-law, Shannon White, talks about the number of agents who have shown interest, how Knox wound up at Division II ACU, and why where he trains simultaneously matters and doesn't matter in today's player spotlight.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 5
Rep Rumblings: More news out of Ole Miss (and more) is part of today's report.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 4
Player report: You could argue that the hottest running back in college football is Darryl Richardson's son, Abilene Christian OH Bernard Scott. Of course, he's also one of the best-kept secrets in the game given his Division II pedigree, despite the fact he's leading an undefeated squad's high-flying offense while regularly rushing for 200 yards per game. Richardson talked about the agent selection process, why he's particular about where (geographically) his son will train, and why he's not worried about one man holding agent and financial adviser duties in today's player spotlight.
Rep Rumblings: All-star notes and a big name who might be set on his representation are part of today's report.
ITL Notebook: Nov. 3
Rep Rumblings: As the season gets later, things are heating up on the recruiting front. Take a look at what we're hearing in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 31
Rep Rumblings: On All Hallow's Eve, the whispers about who is signing with whom are flying along with the witches and ghouls. We run it all down in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 30
Rep Rumblings: We pass along some interesting information concerning recruiting in the Southwest and Southeast in today's report.
Player report: New Mexico DC Glover Quin entered the season as one of two highly regarded cover corners for the Lobos. He discusses his plan for interviewing agents during his team's expedited season as well as his desire to prepare for March's workouts in a balmy clime in today's player spotlight.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 29
Player report: At the request of Ron Lehman, who we interviewed yesterday regarding Cincinnati OG Trevor Canfield, we have withdrawn the interview that was posted yesterday, which Lehman felt improperly characterized him; we at ITL never wish to damage a young man or hamper his recruitment. We will revisit our discussion with Lehman Friday.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 28
Player report: San Diego State IB Russell Allen has been wildly productive for a team that's struggled this year. The tackling machine's dad, Dave, spoke to ITL about the meetings the family has held with agents and the selection process, the kind of training they're looking for, and their so-far fruitless search for the perfect financial advisor in today's player spotlight.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 27
All-star grid: Today, we present our initial all-star grid listing all the invitations we've heard so far.
Rep rumblings: A surprising new face in the chase for one of the most highly touted players in this year's NFL draft derby and other notes are part of today's report.
Player report: Leg injuries have dogged Hawaii OB Adam Leonard this year, slowing the number of calls he's received from agents, but he's taking it in stride. The Warriors 'backer and Shrine Game watch-lister talks about who he's spoken to so far and what he's looking for in today's player spotlight.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 23
Rep rumblings: All-star selectees and some player-agent news are part of today's report.
Player report: A huge frame, quick feet and a lofty combine grade has made Kent State OT Augustus Parrish a very popular man with firms vying to represent him in April. His father, Toby, took a minute to talk to ITL about the thick line of recruiters expressing interest in his son and the rather quick timeline on making a decision in today's player spotlight.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 22
Player report: Clemson FS Michael Hamlin met with agents from all over the country last year when he strongly considered leaving after his junior season; a fourth-round projection sent him back to campus for another season. Hamlin and his father, Michael Sr., talk about the fact that last year's leader is no longer a major contender, how one major firm was a little too pushy, and his thoughts on some of the top training facilities in the nation in today's player spotlight.
Rep rumblings: All-star notes and a couple players who we're hearing already have made their agent decisions are in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 21
Rep rumblings: Entering the 2008 season, there were eight senior starters on the team now ranked No. 1 in the nation, the University of Texas. From what we’re hearing, virtually all of them have made their agent decisions. Check today's report to find out the scorecard on some top Longhorns.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 20
Agent changes: Active NFL players hired seven new agents in the season's first seven weeks. To see who picked up whom, click here. Meanwhile, if your name's on this list, it's been a rough first month-and-a-half of the season. Finally, if you represent any of these 14 players, watch your back.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 17
Rep Rumblings: When it comes to the biggest names (and potential names) in the 2009 NFL draft, the rumor mill is spinning wildly. We roll out what we're hearing in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 16
Rep Rumblings: ITL has need-to-know information for any firms planning on recruiting Oklahoma or Texas players, now or in the next few years, in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 15
Rep Rumblings: Jurisprudence and all-star news make up the bulk of today's report.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 14
Rep Rumblings: Recruiting news from the East and West, along with news of a Senior Bowl invitee, are part of today's report.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 13
Player report: UNLV DE Thor Pili isn't a household name, but his pure athletic ability (he runs a 4.7 40 at 285 pounds) and his bloodlines (his uncle is former Mr. Irrelevant Tevita Ofahengaue) make him an interesting prospect. Check out his agent likes and dislikes in today's player spotlight.
Player report: Lost in the ashes of a disappointing season at Florida Atlantic is the play of IB Frantz Joseph, a high-intensity tackler who's got the size and quicks to interest any NFL team. The Boston College transfer discusses his likes and dislikes in agent candidates, plus the former teammate he calls "like a big brother," in today's player spotlight.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 10
Rep Rumblings: Recruiting news with a heavy bayou flair is included in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 9
Player report: Buffalo QB Drew Willy entered the season a little off the radar screen with the rank-and-file college fan, but not with scouts, and he's done nothing but raise his profile through the first weeks of the season. He talks about what kind of help he needs from a player representative to get to the next level in today's player spotlight.
Rep Rumblings: There will be 40 scouts from 25 teams watching the festivities in Winston-Salem, N.C., tonight, as well as untold player representatives hoping for a shot at the numerous NFL prospects on both teams. Before you watch, check today's report to see where several of the top Demon Deacons are leaning.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 8
Rep Rumblings: We go from east to west with recruiting news in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 7
Player report: Quarterbacks with eye-popping statistics aren't exactly uncommon at Texas Tech, but the Red Raiders' current signal-caller, Graham Harrell, is a little different. Unlike most of the passers Mike Leach has turned into college standouts, Harrell was a highly recruited and highly touted prep passer. He's still highly touted, as his father, Sam, has come to find out by the numerous agencies recruiting his son. The head coach of the Class 5A Ennis Lions (who are 5-0 this season, by the way) discusses what he and his wife want for their son, as well as what his son wants, in today's player spotlight.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 6
Rep Rumblings: Notes on movement between agencies and player-agent news are included in this afternoon's report.
Rep Rumblings: Lots of Senior Bowl-related scoop plus other recruiting notes are in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 3
Rep Rumblings: In today's brief afternoon report, we take a look at the pursuit of two senior passers, a possible shift in the invitations to the top all-star game and other news.
Rep Rumblings: We have need-to-know information for all subscribers gathered from league sources about the status of one of the 'big three' all-star games in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 2
Rep Rumblings: We turn toward the SEC with a couple notes and have the first confirmed members of the 2009 Senior Bowl in this afternoon's report.
Player report: Connecticut DC Darius Butler hadn't really heard from and prospective player representatives until he put in with the league's advisers to see where he might be selected in the 2008 NFL Draft (they said rounds 4-5). Then the floodgates opened. The two-way Huskie talks about the people he's leaning on to help him make his decision, plus a very important development in his life that has him thinking about where he wants to train for his pro day, in today's player spotlight.
ITL Notebook: Oct. 1
Player report: In a draft class that is lean when it comes to quarterbacks, one of the biggest stars could be a player who comes from one of the smallest schools. Rhett Bomar started out at Oklahoma, but after a controversy in Soonerville, landed in Huntsville, Texas. His father, Jerry, discussed his and his son's philosophies when it comes to the agent selection process as well as the importance of finding someone who'll stand with his son through thick and thin in today's player spotlight.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 30
Rep Rumblings: Interesting developments surrounding the recruiting of one of the top running backs in the 2009 draft as well as all-star information are included in this afternoon's report.
Rep Rumblings: The implications of a big agent joining with a big entertainment firm and some recruiting notes are included in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 29
Rep rumblings: In today's report, we list the 100-plus agent changes since our last look in March. With that list complete, our number of players with at least two agent changes since 2006 grows to 12.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 26
Rep rumblings: Rough waters for an agent who has been fishing for Gators the last two years as well as notes on the recruiting of several athletes in the news (seniors and otherwise) are in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 25
Rep rumblings: Things can get tricky when a player and a parent don't agree on what agent choice to make. Drama could be playing out on a big stage as a high-profile player and his high-profile father sort out the suitors, and we detail it in today's report.
Player report: Nicholls State SS Lardarius Webb made a big splash last season when the Southern Miss transfer picked off three passes, taking one to the house, in a win over Division I-A Rice. He was up to his old tricks last week against a big-school opponent when he returned a blocked FG attempt 70 yards for a score against Memphis. He talked to ITL last night about his agent search, his disciplined and mature approach to talking to player representatives, and who he's looking for when the season's completed.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 24
Rep rumblings: The many possible angles to the recent relationship between a Midwest firm and a major quarterback trainer are explored in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 23
All-star game breakdown: With some early invitations to this January's games already out, we take a look at the top four games of '08 and break down their success rates (who made late fall camps, not just post-draft tryouts, as well as who actually made opening-week rosters, active or practice) in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 22
Rep rumblings: Recruiting notes with a West Coast flair are part of today's report.
Player report: Despite hamstring ills that have hampered his start to the 2008 season, TCU IB Jason Phillips carried fifth- or sixth-round grades into the year and figures to get his season back on track if he can help slow Oklahoma’s traffic through the Horned Frog defense Saturday. After his father, Jim, spoke to ITL this morning, we assembled a detailed breakdown of what the Preseason Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year is looking for in a player representative.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 19
Rep Rumblings: We go coast to coast with a couple quick recruiting notes in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 18
Rep Rumblings: A less crowded landscape in the Northeast, more Web-related marketing notes, and an interesting lawsuit that may affect a segment of the financial advising community are in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 17
Rep Rumblings: Recruiting buzz, plus some need-to-know information for our subscribers with clients in Carolina, is in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 15
Rep Rumblings: Check out the eight players who have had three agents since 2006 in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 13
Rep Rumblings: We take a break from digging out from Ike to present the early invitee list for the 2009 East-West Shrine Game. Check out the East team list here and the West here.NOTE: We are having power outages in Houston; we are plugging in subscribers as quickly as possible but please be patient.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 11
Rep Rumblings: It's still early in the college football season, but already the rumors are flying about who's got the inside track on whom. Check out what we've heard in today's report.
By the way: If you're password's not working, it's because it's that time again, and you're subscription is up. We genuinely value all our subscribers and hope to have you back.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 10
Rep rumblings: We present need-to-know information on anyone considering dipping a toe into the recruiting waters for a supremely talented Gainesville quarterback, as well as other notes in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 6
Rep rumblings: Notes on a legendary contract (not in a good way), some recruiting observations and other pertinent deals -- as well as a note to all subscribers -- is included in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 4
Rep rumblings: Recruiting notes on one of the biggest fish in the 2009 recruiting class, plus all-star information is included in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 3
Rep rumblings: A recruiter's move to a new agency, all-star notes and the belated note on the passing of a longtime scout are include in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Sept. 2
Rep rumblings: We take a look at an agent change, recruiting notes and other bits from around the league in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Aug. 6
Rep rumblings: As we slowly get back in the saddle moving toward our '08-'09 subscriber cycle, we offer up a brief report on the dissolution of a brief relationship between two agencies as well as a new radio deal for a member of America's team.
ITL Notebook: July 9
OK, here's why we've been delayed: We're having technical difficulties re-configuring our pay portal for monthly billing, and it's become far more cumbersome than we had imagined. In the meantime, we're working on some interesting projects that we believe will help better-serve our valued clients. We're targeting Aug. 1 for our re-launch for the '08-'09 subscriber cycle. Once again, thanks for your patience.
ITL Notebook: May 11
Three-year draftee scan by firm: We take a look at the firms who have led the way in total draftees over the last three years in today's report.
ITL Notebook: May 4
2008 Non-NIC draftees: We present the firms who represented players not good enough for the combine, but good enough for teams on draft day in today's report.
ITL Notebook: May 3
2008 Combine snubs: We take a look at the agencies with players who got the call to Indy in February but not to any of the 32 NFL cities last weekend in today's report.
ITL Notebook: May 2
CAAn you guess who's No. 1?: We begin our post-draft breakdowns with a three-year scan of first-day selections (rounds 1-3) since 2006 in today's report.
ITL Notebook: April 25
2008 NFL Draft (Rounds 1-7): With just one agent left to track down, here's the breakdown of the 2008 draft with agency, all-star game (if played in one), and NIC status.
ITL Notebook: April 24
Rep Rumblings: As news gets harder to find with the draft hours away, we discuss a merger that ostensibly involves mainly coaches -- but that could be pregnant with possibilities -- in today's report.
ITL Notebook: April 21
We're back: Even more on Lofton -- though we still don't know where he's going -- and a possible new opportunity for clients of ITL subscribers are in today's report.
ITL Notebook: April 16
Rep Rumblings: The latest on Lofton and one other jurisprudence note of interest are in today's report.
ITL Notebook: April 15
NIC List: While we wait for the pursuit of Curtis Lofton to end, we've updated our listing of combine invitees and their agents -- along with firming up the agency names, and in some cases, the new agents for players since they went to Indianapolis -- and it's here.
ITL Notebook: April 14
Rep Rumblings: We've got the latest word on three players expected to go on the first day in two weeks and who their (new) agent choices are.
ITL Notebook: April 11
Rep Rumblings: There's more transition in the turbulent world of football in today's report.
ITL Notebook: April 9
Rep Rumblings: We're back with several notes on comings and goings among draft-eligible players in today's belated report.
ITL Notebook: April 7
Rep Rumblings: The spring is the time when some of the fall's hotshots start blaming their representation for their cooling fortunes. In today's report, we run down the handful of changes that have taken place in the last weeks.
ITL Notebook: April 4
Rep Rumblings: A couple of draft prospects on the move and a follow on one of our previous reports are the highlights of today's report.
ITL Notebook: April 1-3
We're finally back: We run down more all-star rumors and ramblings as well as take care of a couple other issues in today's Rep Rumblings.
ITL Notebook: March 31
Rep Rumblings: ITL closes the book on one high-profile player's agent shift, as well as a word of caution and a potential Midwest marketing opportunity, in today's report.
ITL Notebook: March 27-29
Coach-agent listings: Everybody knows certain college head coaches go to bat for specific agents, but how many assistant coaches have connections to player representatives? Even though there's no reason to believe there are any pipelines developed throughout the nation's schools, we felt our subscribers deserved to know. Hence, we present our first list of 25 assistant coaches with relationships (either formerly represented by firms, or who have family who are represented by firms) to player agencies.
ITL Notebook: March 26
Rep Rumblings: It's all over the net: Joseph Addai is now agent-less. While we're still trying to independently confirm this, we take a look at who might be the next agency in line for the Colts' young superstar.
ITL Notebook: March 25
'08 free agency scoreboard: With free agency ground to a near-halt, ITL rolls out its rendering of who did the most with the least this month.
Rep Rumblings: Even more recruiting notes, including one firm that may be expanding its base, in today's one-day-late report.
ITL Notebook: March 21
Rep Rumblings: A couple more recruiting notes, plus a note to subscribers, in today's report.
ITL Notebook: March 20
More opportunities for '09 draftees?: Another day, another rumored all-star game. We detail the latest we've heard in today's Rep Rumblings, along with a couple tips to clip if you recruit in Miami or Minneapolis.
ITL Notebook: March 19
News and notes: We look forward with a couple tips on next year's recruiting (plus one new hire by a major firm) in today's Rep Rumblings.
ITL Notebook: March 18
Is the fat lady warming up?: It ain't over for one of the bigger firms out there, but it's not looking good, either, as we examine in today's Rep Rumblings.
ITL Notebook: March 17
It's brief but it's here: As we try to get back on track schedule-wise, we roll out today's to-the-point Rep Rumblings.
ITL Notebook: March 16
Market sharing: We see the NFLPA’s new rules restricting agents’ access to underclassmen giving new power to marketing specialists as recruiters and pushing them into stronger alliances with players, ITL is going to start paying a lot more attention to the off-the-field deals NFL players are getting – keeping an eye on what players are getting (and not getting), tracking who’s out there, and of course, looking for opportunities for our subscribers (as we’ve already begun to do this week). With that in mind, we introduce our first-ever Player Marketing Grid featuring 30-plus active NFL players and a look at their marketing partnerships (all courtesy whoisyoursponsor.com). It’s far from comprehensive, but it’s a start. As we go forward, we will add in players’ paid radio shows, appearances, endorsement deals – anything we can come up with that lets our subscribers know where their players stand in the continuously growing matrix of opportunities for NFL players. We’ll also ask you, our subscribers, to lend a hand by providing information as the marketing arms of your companies (or the marketers employed by your clients) strike deals. Enjoy.
ITL Notebook: March 15
We're running way behind: Yes, we owe you two reports for this week. Sorry for the delay. Keep sifting through the pro day reports on NFL.com and we'll get you a double report tonight. Again, sorry for the delay.
ITL Notebook: March 12
Rep rumblings: The latest news on two all-star projects in the works for Winter '08/'09 as well as potential marketing opportunities for players represneted by ITL subscribers (and more) are in today's report.
ITL Notebook: March 11
Rep rumblings: We've got a few more players, veterans and draft hopefuls alike, who are on the move in today's Rep Rumblings.
ITL Notebook: March 10
Rep rumblings: More agents are on the move, as noted in today's brief Rep Rumblings.
ITL Notebook: March 7
Rep rumblings: Oral surgery delayed our second Rep Rumblings, but we're back with the early post-mortem on the AAFL as well as a handful of signing news on some marquee draft prospects.
ITL Notebook: March 5
Rep rumblings: After a couple days' delay, Rep Rumblings is back with notes on an agency with troubles (and the fallout), some solid prospects without representation, a few interesting notes found while trolling the Web, and more.
ITL Notebook: March 1
NIC player-agent list: We take a different look at the player-agent changes, sorting them by the number of new players each agent has taken on, in today's report.Now updated with 2008 free agents in bold.In other news, we detail a misstep by a newby agent in Miami that caused agent aggravation this week.
ITL Notebook: Feb. 24
NIC player-agent list: We present the much-awaited player-agent list in today's report.
ITL Notebook: Feb. 22
WE'RE BACK: On March 1, Inside the League returns with a new-and-improved site that will bring subscribers all of the same information you can find only at ITL, along with several new facets aimed at making good agents better.
ITL founder (and Executive Director of Football Operations for the '08 Hula Bowl) Neil Stratton is back from his hiatus in Honolulu. In the meantime, check back throughout the weekend during NIC '08 for updates on players and their agents for this year's combine, player-agent changes since the start of last year's free agency, and news and notes of every stripe.
If you're new to the site and want a trial subscription so you can take a look around -- or if you want to receive the entire list of 93 player-agent changes since last February -- email nstratton@insidetheleague.com.
SEE YOU MARCH 1!
ITL Notebook: Aug. 8
Rep rumblings: Today's report involves everyone's (or nearly everyone's) favorite junior, Arkansas OH Darren McFadden, and the rumors on who's set their sights on the talented rusher.
ITL Notebook: July 27
Shuffling in Buffalo: Actually, there's been quite a bit of change in the scouting staffs of every team (not just the Bills) since the end of the 2006 season, when we started our tracking of the front offices of all 32 NFL teams. In our first-ever big board of front office transitions, we take a look at the changes -- promotions, firings, retirements, and plain 'ol switches of teams -- that have taken place (mainly in the college scouting staffs) in the NFL. Did we miss any? Let us know by using the 'Contact Us' button in the menu bar. QUICK NOTE: We got some bad information on Chicago's front office; contrary to what we originally reported, there have been no changes on the Bears' staff. Our grid has been corrected to reflect this.
ITL Notebook: July 18
Musical chairs: If you've already printed out our rundown of the top 34 firms in the '07 draft and included them in your recruiting materials for this fall, well, tear them up. There's been a good bit of flux since the last weekend in April, and we'll be needing to re-configure things shortly (which we will do). Why? Well, here's one story about two key draftees who've changed the address of their agency since the draft.
ITL Notebook: July 9
Yes, we're back: . . . with a very short report on some players who will be working out in the days leading up to Thursday's Supplemental Draft. Hope this tides you over for now. More on the way -- plus some big news for ITL subscribers -- this week.
ITL Notebook: May 23
Rep rumblings: A handful of terminations -- of players and of one scout -- and more are included in today's report.
ITL Notebook: May 22
All-star draft grid: We present the scorecard for the 2007 all-star games with numbers by round and percentage in today's report.
ITL Notebook: May 18
Top 35 agencies, 2007 draft (rejiggered and refigured): Now corrected to reflect the changes and holes that needed to be filled, we present the new and improved top firms (now with 34 in all) in this year's draft, based on a minimum of three draftees.
ITL Notebook: May 10-11
Agency rank by players drafted: We rank the top 35 firms in the draft in this order: total number of draftees, total number of first-rounders, total number of first-day picks, and highest draftee as the final tie-breaker. NOTE: This list is not an overall ranking of the firms, but strictly a bulk list based on the number of players drafted by firm. That list will come later.
ITL Notebook: May 8-9
Non-NIC draftees by firm: We've got the firms who did the best with non-combine invitees on draft weekend in today's report.
ITL Notebook: May 7
OK, we're back: After taking most of a week off after this year's draft, we return to continue our post-draft breakdown. In today's report, we rank the top 20 firms with NIC invitees snubbed on draft day.
ITL Notebook: April 30
Draft-day grid: It's still in need of a few nips and tucks, but here is the grid containing player, agent, all-star game and combine/no combine per pick. We begin breaking it all down tomorrow.
ITL Notebook: April 27
You heard it hear first: Inside the League has learned that the Houston Texans, as rumored previously, will swap first-rounders with Denver later today in exchange for Denver's second-round pick this year, No. 56. The Broncos will select Mississippi IB Patrick Willis.
With the Texans' first- and second-round picks, Houston is considering four players: Utah FS Eric Weddle, Ohio St. WO Anthony Gonzalez, Southern Cal WO Dwayne Jarrett and Florida FS Reggie Nelson, with Weddle heading the list of players expected to still be available at 56 when the Texans are on the clock.
There's more: San Francisco now heads the list of pursuers of Georgia Tech WO Calvin Johnson. With 10 picks in this year's draft all told and four on the first day, they are a good fit with Detroit, which has decided on Clemson DE Gaines Adams as its choice, but does not want to pay the freight for a No. 2 overall choice and believes the Tiger can be had later in the draft. It's unclear how many picks the Lions will receive to move down.
ITL Notebook: April 25
Introducing the ITL Player Programs Page:Click here to access our newest addition to the Inside the League portfolio of services. Here's how it works: we've listed 10 Houston-area vendors of high-end and specialty services and negotiated special services and rates by taking you straight to the vendor (or in some cases, the proprietor of the service). In this way, we've been able to eliminate overhead additions (as well as red tape) by giving you immediate access numbers to the people who can get things done without delay. But remember, you must identify yourself as an ITL subscriber to get the rates/services we've negotiated. We're just getting started (with 10 so far), but we believe our list is sure to grow quickly as we've already gathered investment properties, high-end residential services and luxury auto services among our providers. Have at it.
ALSO: For our subscribers' clients who hear their names called by the Eagles this weekend, we've got a special deal on luxury condos -- fully appointed, newly renovated and available for long- and short-term rental -- in Center City Philly. Click here for details.
Top 30 update: We've added a few more names to the board in our master grid. Our first-ever Player Programs page is on its way.
ITL Notebook: April 23-24
Top 30 board: With the countdown now at T-minus-4 days, we update our master grid to reflect what we know (and which teams are keeping their visits exceptionally close to the vest). The game plan the rest of the week is to prepare our 'pro player board' for the limited number of cities we'll trot it out this year (with Houston to be the most detailed) in time for selection day.
ITL Notebook: April 19
Rep rumblings again (finally): Here's another report on some players who are changing agents, and in one case, how one minor draft-eligible player's switch may signal much bigger things to come.
ITL Notebook: April 17
Rep rumblings is back: Some potentially juicy information on changes in agents -- and what one specific change may mean -- is in today's report,newly updated as or 10:45 a.m. CST with the confirmation of a link between one especially powerful marketing executive and his NFLPA-certified affiliate.
ITL Notebook: April 16
At long last: We're finally done with the agent changes since Jan. 26. Check them out (all 130 of them) here.
ITL Notebook: April 12
Top 30 (by player):Here's a brief update (not yet sorted in with the Top 30 overall grid yet).
ITL Notebook: April 10-11
Top 30 grid updated: Here's the master grid, updated with previous information along with some new additions. We now have at least one player visiting for 29 of the 32 teams, and we're a long way from done.
ITL Notebook: April 9
Top 30 visits:Here's a text-based (not yet coded) update. Still haven't gotten the Top 30 grid updated, but it's coming.
ITL Notebook: April 6
Playing catch-up: We're running behind again but will try to update the team-by-team as well as the latest Top 30 visits we've gathered later today. And we are still working on the agent changes. More later.
ITL Notebook: April 4-5
Top 30 update:Here's today's latest Top 30 invitees (updated with a few more players since Wednesday).
Rounding third and heading for home: Here's our latest tally of Top 30 visits and the latest we've come up with here.
ITL Notebook: March 30
More Top 30: We expand our team list and break down the latest players we've learned have scheduled team visits in today's report.
ITL Notebook: March 29
Top 30 grids: No, we don't have the player-agent changes yet; it's been a busy week. However, we do have the Top 30 visits we've been able to cobble together in by-player and by-team grids.
ITL Notebook: March 28
Rep rumblings: As we close in on completing the agent changes grid, we provide a fairly meaty report,including a clarification/update on some bad information we received this morning (March 28).
ITL Notebook: March 25-26
(Still) under construction: Our composition of the agent-changes list is dragging. In the meantime, chew on Pete Williams' answers to the questions we posed him on the release of the paperback version of his excellent The Draft: A Year Inside the NFL's Search for Talent.
ITL Notebook: March 23
Rep rumblings: We put one rumor to rest (while still chasing another one) in today's report.
ITL Notebook: March 21
Another late one:Here's our latest batch of news and notes.
ITL Notebook: March 20
Late Night with ITL: Here's today's report. More in the morning.
ITL Notebook: March 19
Houston-area memorabilia dealers list: Here's a list of Houston-area sports memorabilia dealers interested in autograph signings, shows, and the like that we've managed to cobble together.
ITL Notebook: March 16
Rep rumblings: Ten thoughts on workouts, who trained whom, top-20 visits and one interesting non-football termination are included in today's report.
ITL Notebook: March 15
Rep rumblings: Two recent terminations (one confirmed, one believed to be credible) plus a handful of the few remaining NIC player-agent signings and our latest service sponsor are in today's report.
ITL Notebook: March 13-14
Introducing our first-ever NIC trainers grading grid: It's the eternal question: Are players already fast, or do combine trainers make them run fast? That's hard to answer. What's easier to answer is, who make them run faster? In our first-ever NIC trainers grading grid, we answer that question for the top 37 'movers' in improving their preseason 40 times vs. the times they recorded in Indianapolis. Two workout facilities -- one you've heard of, one third-year gym you might not have -- dominate the list. Check it out here.
ITL Notebook: March 12
Rep rumblings: We're still trying to finish up our list of the most-improved 40 times at the combine and the trainers who helped effect these times. In the meantime, check out a few notes in today's report.
ITL Notebook: March 8
Rep rumblings: A workout-flavored report is finally here.
ITL Notebook: March 7
Rep rumblings: For today's report, we make our completely subjective rankings of the top 35 deals to date in the first week of Free Agency 2007, including agents that negotiated the deals.
ITL Notebook: March 6
Rep rumblings: We discuss a few notes on players making changes in their representation, and also announce our first major service-oriented value-add specifically for Inside the League subscibers that we believe will be especially valuable during the free agency period. Check it out here.
ITL Notebook: March 5
Rep rumblings: After our weekend swing-and-miss, we try to play catch-up and explain things, along with providing an off-field opportunity for Houston-area clients, in today's report.
ITL Notebook: March 1
Special note: Now that we're down to just seven players still missing on our NIC player-agent list, we've taken on the Herculean task of trying to match players with their combine prep facilities. We've been delayed in our task, but we're asking subscribers to help us in our efforts by e-mailing us at nstratton@insidetheleague.com. This is only for combine invitees, please. No disrespect; we just have to draw the line somewhere.
Also, as we assemble our pro day list, we are again asking for our subscribers' help. Please send in your clients' pro days so we don't miss anyone.
Thanks again for your efforts. Tune in tomorrow when we will begin assembling both lists comprehensively.
ITL Notebook: Feb. 28
Rep rumblings: A brief post-NIC report wraps up February.
