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One of the hottest parties at the Super Bowl every year is the one thrown by agent to the stars, Leigh Steinberg. ESPN.com was fortunate enough to get an invite this year, and we caught up with the super agent at his shindig. He took the time to chat and told users he feels Denver quarterback John Elway will be back for another season. Steinberg also told users his feelings about the big game and he revealed a few of the clients he has in the upcoming NFL draft. Check out this edited transcript from Steinberg's Jan. 30 chat and find out where he thinks John Elway ranks with other great quarterbacks.
Leigh Steinberg: I just want to say a few things about my get together here today at the Miami Zoo. Our annual Super Bowl party is featuring about 3,000 of our closest friends. The guest list includes: Troy Aikman, Drew Bledsoe, Bruce Smith, Kordell Stewart, Derrick Thomas. We have a number of interesting Hollywood types from Al Pacino to Jennifer Lopez. Today we unveiled a program I started for the Children's Miracle Network which involves auctioning off art work to raise funds for 170 children's hospitals from across the nation. We also unveiled a model project for a stadium to bring an NFL football team to L.A. So the party is rolling with bands, great food and the weather is beautiful.
TGrec: How many players playing tomorrow are represented by you? Leigh Steinberg: This has been one of our worst years. We only have one -- Jeff Lewis -- injured backup QB for Denver. No hope that he will be the MVP. Clawson: I think that John Elway is the greatest quarterback ever in the NFL. Do you agree? If not, where does he rank?
Leigh Steinberg: He would certainly be in the Top 10. The overall history of the NFL has produced a incredible amount of good quarterbacking. He is certainly a lock for the Hall of Fame. But it would be hard to put him in front of Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw, who have won multiple Super Bowls. Greg: Are you rooting for anyone in particular tomorrow? Leigh Steinberg: I think it is great for football that Atlanta is here, it adds variety. It is a organization that I started dealing with in 1975 with my very first client Steve Bartkowski. Those fans have been long suffering. I don't however, see the Falcons stopping Denver tomorrow. If Denver is hitting on all cylinders they have a frightening arsenal of weapons and they are incredibly prolific. So I expect Denver to win their second straight Super Bowl. Prediction: Denver 31 Atlanta 17 WFAN: What happened with Kerry Collins? Leigh Steinberg: He is a free agent from now until Feb. 12 when the New Orlean Saints have exclusive negotiating rights. They have not begun discussions with us yet. If the potential offers are close, the nod will go to the Saints because they picked him up at a tough time. But ultimately, I believe the Saints will want him back. Teddy: Will Elway be back next year? Leigh Steinberg: I don't think there is any question that he will be back. They may tease the public for a couple of months, but true competitors don't walk away. I have Warren Moon still playing at 42 and Steve Young playing at 38. Elway will play only because he is excited about it. TGrec: Are you the most sought after agent right now? Leigh Steinberg: We have the largest practice in the NFL and get more inquiries from potential clients than we can sign. Pete Rodnick: Who are the big names you are representing in the upcoming draft? Leigh Steinberg: Akili Smith from Oregon, who I think could be competitive as the No. 1 pick in the draft. OT Kris Farris from UCLA who I think will be a high first-round pick. DB Marquis Smith from Cal who is climbing up the charts. Demond Parker from Oklahoma and QB Scott Covington from Miami. That is all the time I have for now. I have to get back to the party. It is an opportunity for the players and their families to be in a day-time party setting without being submerged by autograph seekers. It is an opportunity to get our clients families together with people from other interesting fields -- There are a number U.S. Senators here, etc. The Super Bowl is a showcase for corporations all over the country and there are many of those representatives here as well. It is a fun party. A fun way to meet and enjoy some of the other people in town for the game. Take care everyone.
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