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Earlier today, Matt Maiocco put together an article about the Tarell Brown situation in which he spoke with four anonymous agents "who have worked closely with the organization." I'd imagine many of you have either already read it, or would have read it in the next day or two. It takes a look at what agents see as the 49ers potential duty in this situation.
Yesterday, socalisteph wrote about the potential legal fallout over this situation. Tarell Brown could potential file a claim against Brian Overstreet for damages due to negligence. This could allow him to recoup some portion of the $2 million he lost. Of course, this does not necessarily square him away with the 49ers in his own mind.
Brown said Friday evening that he has spoken to the team. When asked if he was satisfied with where things stand with him and the 49ers organization, Brown answered, "No comment."
In Maiocco's article, the agents all felt the 49ers should have said something to Brown and/or his agent at some point in the offseason.
"The thing the 49ers have to do is make it OK," one agent told CSNBayArea.com. "They cannot afford to jeopardize the chemistry in the locker room. They got a good thing going, and they can't afford to rock the boat. That would be a disaster. They got to take care of this."
I do actually understand the point the agent is making, but considering me a bit skeptical that these agents aren't a little more interested in their own clients long-term possibilities. No two agents are alike, but when we hear quotations from anonymous agents, I am inclined to assume they have some kind of motive for saying what they say.
For example, one of the agents said the 49ers should look into Brown's workouts, and if they were legit, they should pay him the escalator. If the 49ers did do that, what's to stop that agent, or another agent from viewing that as precedent for the purposes of future business?
On the other hand, if the 49ers did compensate Brown in some way, it potentially sets them up to be viewed as a bit more player-friendly. That could be valuable in getting new contracts that might be a little less than market value. That's not to say it's guaranteed to happen, but it does give the organization something to think about.
I am a bit thankful I am not being paid to make that decision, because there are so many angles to consider. How do the 49ers handle it? How would you handle it? Do you work in some incentives in his current deal? Do you work it into a short or long term contract extension? Brown is in his walk year, which makes me wonder if the 49ers are planning on even trying to extend him. If they were not planning on extending him, do you do nothing, or do you go with something simple to maintain locker room chemistry?
Or do you do nothing, and use the cap space for other purposes? It's not a simple question.