Leigh Steinberg, one of Cosmo DeNicola’s most famous partners, is energized with the signing of Paxton Lynch, star quarterback from the University of Memphis. This deal is the first significant contract since Steinberg relaunched his company Steinberg Sports & Entertainment in 2014.
“I am very excited about this news,” said DeNicola referring to his partner’s comeback. “This move will be a catalyst for continuing up the path of success.”
Excerpt below barrowed from “Houston-backed agent Leigh Steinberg lands Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch'” written by Aaron Wilson and published by Chron on Jan 1, 2016.The inspiration for the “Jerry Maguire” movie about an idealistic sports agent portrayed by actor Tom Cruise, Leigh Steinberg has landed the equivalent of franchise quarterback Frank “Cush” Cushman in real life.
One of the most famous sports agents for four decades, Steinberg, 66, is orchestrating a major comeback by signing strong-armed, imposing Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch. One of the top NFL draft prospects, Lynch officially declared for the draft on Thursday on the Memphis campus.
After representing Troy Aikman, Steve Young, Warren Moon, Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Bledsoe in a successful practice that started with him signing top overall pick and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Steve Bartkowski in 1975, Steinberg relaunched his business, Steinberg Sports & Entertainment after conquering alcoholism and financial issues. Based in Newport Beach, Calif., Steinberg and Philadelphia-based agent Chris Cabott are working in tandem to guide Lynch and his family into the NFL.
Excerpt below barrowed from “Q&A: Agent Leigh Steinberg says Paxton Lynch 'looks like a franchise quarterback to me'” written by Geoff Calkins and published by The Commercial Appeal Memphis on Dec 31, 2015.Here’s a quick Q and A with the man who will be guiding Lynch on his journey to the NFL.
Q: How was the recruitment of Paxton?
A: There was very little contact with him. It was constantly done though the family, because the whole point was to let him focus on school and the rest of it. So, actually, David (Paxton’s father) called me in October of 2014 because he just wanted to pick up information. Agents wouldn’t believe that, but that’s what happened. And then we met several times with the parents. And then I came to the Mississippi game, which was all you sort of needed to see. And then we went to Houston, which was exciting. And I had a meeting with Paxton last summer, but just for an hour and a half, and I loved him. As you know, our practice is all about role-modeling. Go back to the high school, set up a scholarship fund, do something at the college, and then have a foundation at the pro level where you try to make an impact and a difference. He was excited about all that. The parents were great. It’s a family, so the values meshed. It just happens to be the thing I’ve done for 42 years.
Q: What potential do you see in Lynch?
A: I’ve had the first pick of the first round eight different years. I had Troy Aikman, Ki-Jana Carter, Dan Wilkinson, Russell Maryland, Drew Bledsoe, Steve Bartkowski. But quarterbacks, it was Warren Moon, Troy Aikman, Steve Young. I helped Ben Roethlisberger’s first years. At one point I had half the starting quarterbacks in the NFL. And he’s all that. He’s a new mode of quarterback. If you look at Cam Newton, or Roethlisberger, they’re tall, have size, but they can run, escape the pocket. It’s a different dynamic. He has a lot to offer. He can go over the middle on third-and-one. ... He looks like a franchise quarterback to me. He’s got those same characteristics. And then it will just come down to individual team choice and who falls in love.
Q: Can he be the No. 1 pick in the draft?
A: Absolutely. History will show that even if other players are rated higher, quarterbacks go above them. The year that Troy Aikman came out, you had Deion Sanders, Barry Sanders and Derrick Thomas in the draft and Troy went first. The position is so much more critical than when I started in 1975, it’s a quarterback-centric game. And there are a number of teams out there who are looking, a larger number of teams than normal who are looking.
Q: Do you already have a sense that particular teams are interested?
A: I’d rather not say the teams but, yes, I do. ... This will all play out, but clearly people know that Houston needs a quarterback, St. Louis may be in the market for a quarterback, the 49ers need a quarterback, Philadelphia may need a quarterback. It flips around. I call it a team falling in love with a player, and they get excited, so we’ll see how it all develops.
Q: What is the process from here?
A: He is leaving Saturday to tour three potential training facilities. Then you start with the training, which is now the thing everybody does. Then you go to the combine, which is the physicals, and the 20-minute interviews with teams.
Q: Will he throw at the combine?
A: Probably not. The key will be a pro scouting day here, at Memphis, where he does a 40-minute throwing session. It will be back on campus in March. That throwing session is important. Years ago, when Jeff George did it, they called it the $15 million workout video because that’s what he signed for. If it’s a thing of beauty, that sort of locks it in. But this is all about individual teams falling in love with the player. It’s going to be a lot of fun.