Colts first-round draft pick EDGERRIN JAMES signed an
injury protection agreement with the team in a move that has
"caused a stir" with the NFLPA and "could lead to the club
being fined $10,000," according to Armando Salguero of the
MIAMI HERALD. NFLPA General Counsel RICHARD BERTHELSEN said
the problem is that this type of deal and other contract
negotiations between James and the team "must be conducted
by James himself or a representative who is certified by the
players union." The waiver signed by James with the Colts
was negotiated "primarily" by FL attorney TYRONE WILLIAMS
and team President BILL POLIAN. James has also enlisted the
help of his brother Ed German and friend Pierre Rutledge as
his advisors. Williams, who claims he is not serving as
James' agent: "I did not enter into a contract negotiation.
It's only an insurance policy." But Berthelsen said that an
injury protection agreement is a contract because "you have
to put in a salary figure and you have to negotiate that
figure." If Berthelsen is right, the NFLPA's Management
Counsel could investigate. James' status as the only first-
round draft pick without an agent has "caused a commotion,"
and agents have "inundated the Colts with calls in order to
vie for James." Berthelsen: "Mr. James could be the most
sophisticated, well-versed, intelligent person to ever come
out of college, but I would still advise him not to do a
contract himself" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/22).
