Considering the fleet of Brinks trucks at stake for his client, no coach, player or big-haired analyst has faced a more critical task leading up to the NFL draft than Doug Hendrickson.
The agent representing Marshawn Lynch, Hendrickson has been feverishly trying to douse concerns about his running back’s character at a time when the NFL is confronting a crisis in off- field misconduct.
Hendrickson does not describe his task as “spin control.” All he’s doing, he says, is disseminating the facts. Last December, Lynch was accused of choking, slapping and assaulting his former girlfriend.
However, inconsistencies in the woman’s testimony and lack of evidence were among reasons prosecutors cited for not pressing charges.
Clearing one’s name in the eyes of the American justice system, though, can be less challenging than lowering a character flag for a first-round draft prospect. Hendrickson has sent letters to all 32 teams outlining the findings after the allegations against Lynch, who starred at California, while setting up personal visits with 13 teams (the Broncos weren’t among them).
“The district attorney’s office – as they all do with this type of accusation, especially when it involves a high-profile person – vigorously investigated this case for a month,” Hendrickson said. “And they found no reason to even charge Marshawn. Unfortunately, we live in a society where anyone can accuse someone of something they never did.”
The fear is the cost that may come with accusation alone. In his three seasons at Cal, Lynch rushed for an astounding 6.7 yards per carry while playing in the formidable Pac-10 Conference. Skipping his senior year, Lynch joins Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson as the top two running backs available in the NFL draft, which begins Saturday.
Although the character-clean Peterson likely will be one of the top six picks, Lynch is expected to be selected by tailback- depleted Buffalo at No. 12 or by Green Bay at No. 16. Last year the No. 6 pick, tight end Vernon Davis, received a $15.2 million guarantee from San Francisco while the No. 16 pick, safety Jason Allen, received a $7.8 million guarantee from Miami.
That’s a $7.4 million difference that has Hendrickson going on the offensive in defending his client.
Meanwhile, the NFL has been flushed a few shades of red with an epidemic of miscreant behavior from some of its players. Repairing the league’s image has been priority No. 1 for first-year commissioner Roger Goodell. The result was a revised off- field conduct policy that severely punishes repeat offenders. Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones was suspended for a full season. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry was docked for half a season. Another league sentence is expected to hit Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson.
Against this NFL version of martial law comes the draft class of 2007.
“When you throw in the NFL’s new stance against off-the-field issues, you’d have to be kind of crazy to sit back there and say you’re going to continue to draft kids at a high level that have had significant off-the-field problems,” said NFL draft analyst Mike Mayock.
No prospect figures to have his draft stock sabotaged by character concerns more than Florida defensive tackle Marcus Thomas. As recently as September, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. had Thomas listed among his top 25 seniors.
But after Thomas was suspended for marijuana use during the season, then dismissed from the team that eventually won the national championship, the 314-pound lineman will be lucky to be drafted in the fourth round, if he’s selected at all.
“If you take a player, whether in the first round or sixth round, he’s still coming into your football team,” Kiper said. “He’s still coming into your locker room, coming into your organization. Do you want a player who has some concerns? I say no.”
To be clear, character qualities were included in war-room discussions long before Goodell took charge. Just ask Denver’s own LenDale White. Before the 2006 NFL scouting combine, White, a bruising star running back from USC, was projected as a top-15 pick for the draft.
But White would learn character is a far-ranging term that also encompasses a questionable work ethic and poor conditioning habits. He eventually was taken with the No. 45 overall pick by Tennessee.
Not that character always counts more than talent. Don’t expect Calvin Johnson, Gaines Adams and Amobi Okoye to fall out of the top 10 this year just because Pro Football Weekly reported they admitted they had used marijuana.
Other players, though, figure to be at least partially affected by character concerns, a group that may include Eric Wright, Brandon Meriweather and Tarell Brown.
“I think it will be a factor with teams who maybe would’ve given the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they won’t as much now,” Kiper said. “I think this will be a year where we have some test cases in this draft to see how these players will be affected.”
Red-flag players
NFL teams may have questions as they consider these players for the draft:
Eric Wright, CB, UNLV
Issue: Arrested on rape charges in 2005, and Ecstasy found in his shared apartment while at USC. Charges dropped.
Possible fallout: Projected for early second round.
Marcus Thomas, DT, Florida
Issue: Marijuana. Urban Meyer kicked him off team last season.
Possible fallout: Once considered a late first-round talent, Thomas is now just hoping to be drafted.
Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami
Issue: Stomped on players during brawl with Florida International; fired shots (police said in self-defense) at assailant who shot teammate Willie Cooper.
Possible fallout: Projected as early second-round pick.
Tarell Brown, CB, Texas
Issue: Two marijuana incidents.
Possible fallout: Early second-round talent could slip to fourth.
Tank Tyler, DT, North Carolina State
Issue: Arrested in 2005 for assaulting police officer at night club; ejected for spitting on opponent.
Possible fallout: Early second-round talent could slip to Day 2.
Staff writer Mike Klis can be reached at 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
