Firm puts some meat on its top NFL line candidates

Four of IMG's NFL linemen draft prospects have some extra muscle behind their preparation for the annual league combine.

The players have been drinking three liquid meals in addition to eating their three squares a day at the Florida-based IMG Academies, where they have been training the last several weeks. They're getting ready for "the biggest job interview of their lives," said Ken Kremer, IMG vice president of team sports, who runs the company's football division with Tom Condon.

"Bigger, faster, stronger — that is our goal," Kremer said.

Since arriving at the IMG-owned training camp, Florida offensive tackle Mike Pearson has grown from 288 to 305 pounds; Kentucky defensive end Dennis Johnson has beefed up from 258 to 270; Notre Dame defensive tackle Anthony Weaver has gone from 283 to 292; and 6-foot-7 Boston College offensive tackle Marc Colombo has gained 28 pounds and is now at 320. That's 66 additional pounds.

Despite their increased size, which is prized in NFL trenches, Kremer insists the linemen are fast. Pearson "has feet like a ballerina," Kremer said.

IMG also represents Oklahoma safety Roy Williams and Boston College running back William Green, two projected high-first-round draft picks who are being kept lean and mean. Additionally, the agency has signed Nebraska tight end Tracey Wistrom and Georgia Southern running back Adrian Peterson.

Kremer said he hopes five or six of the players will be taken in the first round. He would not rate the individual players' chances.

 RLR SIGNS GLANVILLE: RLR Associates, a New York firm that specializes in representing sports broadcasters, has signed former NFL coach Jerry Glanville, just as his NFL broadcasting deals with HBO and CBS are set to expire.

Rosen

RLR vice president Gary Rosen said he expects to renew deals with both HBO and CBS. "He loves the networks where he is," Rosen said.

Rosen also hopes to get Glanville, who races in NASCAR truck and Busch series events, more broadcast work as a NASCAR announcer.

  TANZER HIRES FOUR, PROMOTES TWO: Tanzer Sports Consultants Inc., the baseball representation firm run by Tommy Tanzer, has hired four new employees and promoted two veteran employees.

Kenny Felder, an agent formerly with National Sports Management, has been hired as an associate. Agent Jamie Appel, formerly with Sports Management Services International, has been hired as an associate. Brian James, an independent marketing and communications specialist, has been hired to oversee marketing.

Tanzer also hired Bob Rischitelli, a lawyer and financial consultant, to oversee legal and financial issues.

Longtime employees and associates Jeff Kahn and Steve Alexander were promoted. Kahn's new title is vice president in charge of player personnel. Alexander is now vice president in charge of baseball administration and communications.

  IMS SIGNS KNOX: Infinite Management Solutions, an Australian-based alternative-sports representation firm that recently opened an office in Southern California, has signed surfer Taylor Knox for marketing representation. Knox will be represented by Circe Wallace, senior manager of athletes in the Mission Valley, Calif., office. Wallace, a former pro snowboarder, was formerly an agent with The Familie, another agency specializing in alternative sports.

  OCTAGON CORNERS SHERLOCK: Octagon has signed downhill skateboarder and street luger Biker Sherlock to an exclusive representation agreement for marketing and endorsements. Sherlock has won numerous medals at the X Games and the Gravity Games. Peter Carlisle, Octagon's director of action and Olympic sports, will represent him.

Contact Liz Mullen with agent and labor news at lmullen@amcity.com.