Surely, the league’s decision to fine Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco for trying to bribe the officials was based in part on the reality that, if no action was taken, Chad would think that the behavior is appropriate.
So it’s not surprising, then, that the relatively quiet evaporation of potential issues regarding Deion Sanders’ affinity for one client of agent Eugene Parker has not stopped Deion from taking up the cause of another one.
Specifically, in most recent “Let’s Go Primetime” feature on NFLN, during which Sanders reviews the top plays of the week, Deion yelled “pay the man!” in reference to Bengals running back Cedric Benson.
Benson, as a reader reminded us this morning, is represented by Parker.
We’re actually a bit more troubled by Deion’s stumping for Benson than by Deion’s involvement in the Michael Crabtree case. As to Crabtree, Deion was merely sticking his nose into a pre-existing dispute. With Benson, Deion could be creating a rift where no rift currently exists.
Benson was an unrestricted free agent in March. He visited the Texans. He ultimately signed the best deal available, a two-year, $7 million deal with the Bengals.
Sure, he’s having a great year. But neither Benson nor Parker are looking for a raise, as far as anyone knows. Given Sanders’ ties to Parker, some league insiders will believe that Parker is using Sanders to begin the process of getting the Bengals to eventually “pay the man!”
So even if the NFL is inclined to accept Deion’s denial that he’s on the Eugene Parker payroll (and we are aware of no evidence that Deion is working for Parker), it might be a good idea to advise Deion to quit acting like he is.
How about having more than one good season out of every five before we “pay the man”. That is EXACTLY what the problem is. One good year and everyone wants to get “paid”. How about Benson saying, “I’ve been so overpaid the past few years, I’m glad to be playing well and will abide by my contract”. Fat chance.
Why is Deion still around? Why doesn’t the NFL do something about clowns like this and Mangini?
I wholeheartedly agree with Deion though. There may be no rift currently, but the Bengals should throw out the old contract and lock Benson up for 5 years. He’s only 26 with a lot less tread than other running backs his age, but he will likely decline around 30 just like all other running backs. I don’t think there’s a rift there, but if the Bengals want to be proactive (I know someone at Paul Brown Stadium has heard that word), they would lock Benson up just long enough to get the most out of him. And I would do it about week 13 or 14, allowing him to get us into the playoffs before giving him money (you know, just in case he is one of those players who plays poorly with heavy pockets).
It’s about time someone brougt this up. He always yells that, anytime he mentions Benson. As if he doesn’t realize Benson just signed a contract this past offseason….
Thank you for mentioning this. I loved Deion as a player, but it drives me nuts when he says “pay the man.” Uh, Deion, he is paid. He accepted the contract, didn’t he? Maybe he should have a pro bowl year and then you can say he should make more. Although, for a guy making 7 million over 2 years, when he really hasn’t produced much, I don’t really think you can say without laughing that he should mae more!
every time deion talks about ced ben, he says “pay the man.” i think the nfl world would be much better without this obnoxious fool.
Tell me about it and Florio he has been screaming t”Pay the Man” since early this season so its DEFINITELY something there…To much of a coincidence….Benson needs to tell him to SHUT THE HELL UP! Dont worry about me me and Parker will get at Cincy in the offseason AND I ASSURE Mike Brown will lock up Benson for another 2 or 3 years after this season..Mike Brown has done this for the following players before their contracts expired:
Chad Johnson- Twice
Andrew Whitworth- once
Domata Peko- Once
Robert Geathers- Once
After the year Benson has had Mike Brown will take care of him and WE DO NOT NEED DEION”S HELP!
Deion, Quit NFL Network and go work for him…..
What 3.5 mil isn’t “paying the man” ? FU Deion. And Benson and Parker while I’m at it.
For a guy who talks for a living…he really needs to shut the hell up!!!
Lets not forget Dez Bryant either!!!
Deon is a walking disaster… everything he touches turns to mush…. kinda like a Norv Turner/Wade Phillips/Dick Juaron coached football team!!
Deionis guided by a higher voice Mike. If Jesus tells him to stump for Holdout Parker’s clients then he really has no choice, does he.
Why are you always hating on Deion? He is paid to talk about football, just like you. Why are his opinions suspect and yours spot on?
Who cares if he is trying to help his former agent and buddy stay on top or leverage the Bengals into paying Benson or creating leverage for Crabtree or whatever he is secretly trying to do while entertaining by talking about football?
So what if he is? Is there some clause against tampering with anything but higlights in his contract? It would seem the NFLN execs like what he is doing, just like your tabloid style got your mug on TV to talk the same kind of issues Deion does on NBC.
Deion always says that though, not just for Benson. He has said it for Anquan Boldin too…now I’m not sure who his agent is, but if it’s Parker, then there you go.
Hey guys:
It’s America…you make all you can while you’re on this earth. Just because you hate your job, don’t begrudge athletes for maximizing their earning potential. Owners have the money, I don’t blame agents and players for shaking the “money tree.”
If you don’t like it, move to Cuba or China.
Benson is a young back, who has spearheaded the Bengals’ resurgence.
Why wouldn’t they pay him?
I think where Deion is mistaken is where he’s focusing on a situation where the team would be stupid not to lock Benson up in a more lucrative contract.
Then again, it is the Bengals’ ownership we’re talking about. Not a great track record (not as horrible as the Redskins though).
If Deion wants to help Parker…he should focus on the guys who are borderline on getting new contracts.
Then again, Deion isn’t really known for his brains, is he?
Deion Sanders “stumping” for Parker is no different from you “stumping” for NBC. Actually there’s a big difference. NBC is a major conglomerate. So your loyalty to them for what they can give you is understandable. Its obvious..but understandable. Eugene Parker, on the other hand, is a small, one man show who could probably use all the help he can get.
Consider another angle. The more popular sports media outlets are calling upon former athletes to disparage or destroy pretty much any athlete in any sport these days. I suppose this makes them more “credible.” To whom I’m not sure. Bitter media types who never played, perhaps? Whatever..
But Deion is one of the few who still seems to represent the player’s interest. In this case, you recall that Cedric Benson was badmouthed by the Bears. For whatever reasons they didnt want him to get a job somewhere else. Well, now Benson is playing really well and there have been no complaints. The reward for playing well is more money.
This is a non-story. Much more important things going in with the league. For instance all the bad football being played and the poor coaching around the league.
Find something else to write about Florio of substance. This ain’t it.
“With Benson, Deion could be creating a rift where no rift currently exists.”
It’s not like you haven’t tried to do the same thing.
Is there anything worse than Deion and Irvin on Sunday mornings? Ugh.
Be sure to let us know when Mike Brown renegotiates a contract.
Cornerdenizen
I agree with Florio on one thing though, if Deion is doing this to help out Parker, he needs to come clean about that. When Florio was stumping to keep Limbaugh out of an ownership group, it was pretty obvious that he was a liberal doing it because he disliked Limbaugh’s politics. He didn’t necessarily “come clean” about his reasoning behind it, but when he made the comments that he didn’t have a problem with it as long as Limbaugh “kept his politics out of it,” you knew exactly where he was coming from. If Deion said “Cedric Benson, pay the man!, as my good friend Eugene Parker would say,” then I don’t really think there is a problem any more. The part I agree with Florio about is that it’s obvious, but not admitted.
I don’t see any conflict of interest either, since if he wasn’t accurately grading Parker’s players, he would be called out on it, lose credibility and ultimately let go.
buckeye044
Okay, I’ll let you know. Look up a few comments and there’s a handy little list. There, I let you know.
If you ask me (yes, i know, nobody did or ever does or ever will)…Deion should shut the FK up already…
He is extremely unprofessional, his contributions to the NFL Network are minimal, and it seems that he desperately is positioning himself to win the non-existent Most Popular Retired NFL Player award every week.
“Look at my boy, Maurice Jones-Drew break that tackle—you know we talk everyday, we hang in the offseason—nice play baby!”
“What a catch by Fitzgerald!—I got a chance to speak with Fitzgerald at my home over the Summer— a true competitor, very genuine and hard-working.”
“I must say that Devin Hester— who’s my brother from another mother—is the most electrifying return man since—well myself.”
HIS STUPID ‘LETS GO PRIMETIME’ SEGMENT IS JUST 10 SHOUT-OUTS TO HIS NEW BEST BUDDIES WHO MADE A PLAY THAT WEEK.
And when they had him paraphrase Brett Favre’s entire Lambeau post-game speech into his own flamboyant and arrogant ebonics, that was the most annoying 3 minutes on television.
Deion is an ignorant Wind-Bag. His insights into the game are very limited. He makes the most sense when his mouth is shut!
I would rather have Matt Millen shoveling his Bull-$h*t on the NFL Network than that incompetent overzealous jerk-off!
Not to mention his overly-obvious conflict of interest, being on Parker’s payroll and all…
Hammer would get a deal done….
hahaha
All solid contributors. Mike sure knows how to use his money wisely.
Who even watches “Let’s go Primetime”?
More people read Dieon’s comments here than watch them on TV…just let him fade away…PLEASE.
I remember watching a NFL Network segment once and Deion did the same phrase out of no where “Pay the Man” for God know’s who and I was thinking, what the heck is this, your supposed to making commentary about the on field play and your making comments about contracts?
He’s using the leagues network to be a mole to promote the agenda of a agent and getting paid for it by the league. Nice.
For all of you who are complaining about Deion using his air time to “promote the agenda of an agent” and all that crap…….Deion regularly says “pay the man!” when showing highlights. Regularly.
As in, for people other than Cedric Benson. It seems to be his go to call when a guy makes a big play. “Pay the man!” He’s even had other analysts from the network say it jokingly around him.
Now unless every single player he’s ever said that for is one of Parker’s agents, I’ll shut my mouth.
But for now, ya’ll should shut yours. It’s the way he does highlights, big deal. Why don’t you make a post about how retarded Chris Berman or Keith Olbermann do highlights, now that’s a crime to football. “rumbling stumbling got dropped on my head as a baby WOOP!!!@!”