Rams News

Wistrom's agent has no history of holdouts

04/20/98

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

There's no getting around it: sign-ability has become a factor in the NFL draft process. It's not nearly as important as height, weight, speed and performance, but it's still part of the equation.
So there probably was a collective sigh of relief at Rams Park in selecting Grant Wistrom with the No. 6 overall pick. Wistrom is represented by Tom Condon of the prominent International Management Group (IMG).
The book on Condon and associate Ken Kremer is that they operate with professionalism, are knowledgeable about their business, and most important to the Rams: do not have a track record of holdouts.
``Tom Condon is first-class,'' Rams coach Dick Vermeil said. ``They run a first-class organization. When teams learn that Tom Condon and his group are the agents representing their player, nobody throws their eyes back and says, `Oh my God, how'd we ever get these goofballs?' ''
IMG's football division is based in Kansas City, and its client list in recent years has included Joe Montana, Herschell Walker, J.J. Stokes, Chris Spielman and Heath Shuler.
Condon & Co. reaped a bonanza in the 1998 draft because they represent five of the first 37 players selected. Besides Wistrom, that list includes three other first-rounders: quarterback Peyton Manning, chosen first overall by Indianapolis; offensive lineman Kyle Turley, chosen seventh overall by New Orleans; and defensive back R.W. McQuarters, chosen 28th overall by San Francisco.
IMG's fifth player in the top 37 is none other than Rams running back Robert Holcombe of Illinois. Rams executive vice president Jay Zygmunt, who handles contract negotiations for the club, says he can't remember the team having two high draft picks represented by the same agent.
``We have an excellent relationship with the Rams,'' Kremer said. ``We don't anticipate (negotiations) being a problem.''
IMG has represented several Rams in recent years, including center Bern Brostek, offensive guard Dwayne White and cornerback Jeremy Lincoln. Nonetheless, there is no guarantee that Wistrom or Holcombe will be in training camp on time.
``They're still tough deals,'' Zygmunt said.
Last year, No. 1 overall pick Orlando Pace missed all of training camp before signing Aug. 16. Although it didn't ruin his rookie season, it certainly put a dent in it. Pace wasn't ready to start until the fifth game of the season, and never caught up on the missed instruction he would have gotten in camp.
Pace's agent, Carl Poston, has a history of first-round holdouts, a list that also includes running back Tshimanga Biakabutuka and cornerback Terrell Buckley.
Condon and Zygmunt spoke briefly on Monday, but a full-bore meeting has yet to be scheduled. Zygmunt isn't sure how the fact that IMG represents both Wistrom and Holcombe will affect negotiations.
``It gives us a lot more to talk about at dinner,'' Zygmunt joked.
Actually, it could complicate things. There is a rookie salary cap within a team's overall salary cap. Last year, the Rams rookie cap was $3.1 million. It is expected to increase slightly this year. But whatever money Condon and IMG negotiate for Wistrom could mean that much less money for Holcombe under the rookie cap. And vice versa.
Also Condon and IMG could get tied up from time to time with the Manning, Turley and McQuarters deals as well.
Predictably, Wistrom and Holcombe say they plan to be in camp on time.
``It's extremely important to me,'' Wistrom said.
``I think it's very important,'' Holcombe said.

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