Bengals chasing WR$
The Bengals signing of Terrell Owens has been heralded as a step that will greatly improve the team and make the Bengals a formidable offense. It is interesting hype for a player who had been on the street for seven months was signed to a one-year contract that is $4.5 million less than he made last year.
The signing of Owens continues an expensive two-year pattern for the Bengals in spending on wide receiver, a position with a graveyard of bad contracts for free agents.
The Bengals signed Laveranues Coles as their marquee free agent in 2009, agreeing to a four-year contract worth $27.5 million, with $9.75 million last season. Coles four-year deal turned into a one-year deal, as the Bengals’ treasure of 2009 was their trash or 2010.
Enter Antonio Bryant, who the Bengals chose over Owens in free agency this year. Bryant signed a similar deal to Coles a year before, four years for $28 million. We’ll see in February if, like Coles, that four-year deal also becomes a one-year deal.
Bryant has already been paid $7.85 million of that amount with a $1.55 million 2010 salary to come. That $9.4 million combined with Coles’ $9.75 million, is a total of $19.15 million for the two receivers to play opposite Chad Ochocinco.
Now enter TO. After making $6.5 million with the Bills last year on a one-year deal, he has become a rent-a-player with a one-year deal for $2 million with the Bengals. He also has the following six cumulative incentives that could max out at $2 million, all for $333,333 each:
60 receptions
100 receptions
900 receiving yards
1300 receiving yards
10 touchdowns
14 touchdowns
In negotiating player contracts, I tried not to write individual incentives into contracts, especially to skill players. I did not want the specter of players looking cross-eyed at the quarterback, the coaching staff, or the front office wondering if there was a sinister scheme to keep the player from gettting his money. Of course, I never communicated incentives to the coaches to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, yet it still was a slippery slope. Now one of the most demonstrative and potentially divisive players in the league has half of his potential earnings tied to individual rather than team performance.
ICONTebow's contract is strong but not quite what has been reported.
The Tale of Tebow
The first-round signings are starting to come in, as the annual mating ritual between teams and agents is in full bloom and the veteran, not rookie, reporting dates are upon us. Agents have always told me that with first-round picks, they never take the rookie reporting dates seriously; they just want to know when the vets arrive.
Tim Tebow, the most well-known name in the Draft, has signed for numbers that are being bandied about in different ranges. After talking to a couple people looking at the contract, here are what the numbers are:
The guaranteed amount for Tebow as of today is $8.7 million, a whopping 18.5% increase over last year's slotted pick, Vontae Davis. However, I am told that once the contract enters year two, the guarantee is reduced to $8.45 million, still an impressive 15% increase from last year.
The five-year base value of the deal is $11.25 million, a 10.3% increase over Davis's $10.2 million.
As to the maximum value of the deal, the reported $33 million is accurate, but that is if Tebow earns every incentive and escalator, including millions tied to being the NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP, etc. The maximum value for a quarterback rookie contract is always higher than other positions, with some previous maximums such as Joe Flacco ($29.5 million), Brady Quinn ($30 million) and Josh Freeman ($36 million).
I remember negotiating Aaron Rodgers' rookie contract in the same area as Tebow was drafted, with the vast majority of the negotiation not about the guarantee or base value but about the incentives and escalators, trying to layer in future performance money not knowing when -- or if -- Brett Favre would no longer be the quarterback of the Packers.
Tebow received a strong contract for where he was drafted, although not quite what has been reported.
Lightning strikes for Gates
The San Diego Chargers have been the team in the NFL perhaps most advantaged by the rules of the uncapped 2010. With the talent of players they have as “limbo” free agents – players that in any other year would have been “free” free agents but are now restricted – they have saved themselves tens of millions of dollars by simply placing one-year tender contracts on Vincent Jackson, Marcus McNeill, Darren Sproles, Shawn Merriman and Malcolm Floyd.
Now we see what they’re doing with some of that money. They agreed to a five-year extension with tight end Antonio Gates for a total value of $36.175 million with $20.4 of that amount, over 56%, guaranteed.
The Chargers have certainly shown their hand in regard to priorities. They have signed top-of-market deals with quarterback Phillip Rivers and Gates as both entered their contract years. In contrast, they have decided to watch and wait on their group of restricted free agents, even challenging Jackson and McNeill to make good on their threats to not show up. They can then see as the season progresses which of the players merit the treatment they have shown Rivers and Gates.
Somewhere, Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill are fuming. And Vernon Davis is smiling.
Follow me on Twitter at adbrandt.
Why all the fuss about our Charger player's 'fuming'? It has long been said that no one was going to get a contract before Gatsey did. Not even two days have passed since Antonio's signing and NFL network has already announced that the Chargers have started talking with McNeil. Merriman is simply posturing before reporting to camp. (He knows that his contract is contingent on what kind of season he has this year, no matter what he is tweeting)
Hopefully, McNeil's contract will be done before the beginning of the season and, fingers crossed, Vincent will be in the lineup by game four.
andrew - why would the players association ever agree to a rookie salary scale? if the owners are so concerned about salaries why are these numbers going up 15% in the last year? i would guess that the bradford deal has agents for tom brady and peyton manning ecstatic today - nice that an untested rookie is able to establish the start point for negotiations.
the rookie contracts set a bar that players entering their second contract can use to establish their value. i wouldn't bargain that away lightly...
andrew - why would the players association ever agree to a rookie salary scale? if the owners are so concerned about salaries why are these numbers going up 15% in the last year? i would guess that the bradford deal has agents for tom brady and peyton manning ecstatic today - nice that an untested rookie is able to establish the start point for negotiations.
the rookie contracts set a bar that players entering their second contract can use to establish their value. i wouldn't bargain that away lightly...
Kevin..u ignorant sluttt ...
( kidding )
The Rookie Cap as it relates to the vets is much more complicated than what u have described.
Panerai, for instance, has just introduced the exact PAM 360- a amazing amazing edition replica watches to celibrate Paneristi.com’s 10 anniversary. The Paneristi.com is in fact an unofficial Panerai watch buffs forum site. It has gathered a large number of people who lovethis brand. And that means a huge potential value for Panerai. Depending on Panerai, the exact watch is limited to just 300 watches. All of these kinds of pieces will be exclusively sold at the exact forum by the exact moderators. Only the exact very active members at that site are qualified to get one. In other words, the exact seniority and activity are key factors to decide if you are a qualified candidate. So it is too late to join the exact forum if you would like buy one Pam 360.
Gates sets a standard in how he has handled the negotiations as well. He's a pro's pro.
Tebo's biggest incentive is winning, it has been that way for him all the time. As a starter, or as a goal line specialist alongside Josh Johnson(yes, he could do that from day one in Denver). Several franchises let go of a great opportunity, and Denver's coach got a dream player, someone with versatile skills who is coachable and can elevate the profile of a coach and his organization.
Owens needs a "likely to be said" clause in his contract. You know it's coming. The fact is that he has some amazing indivudal accomplishments, and remains a premiere player in how he prepares physically. For all the great stories about coaches, players, and owners who make headlines, the entire league balked at adding Owens until player's coach Marv Lewis decided to tiger up and take on the challenge.
Oddly enough much of the Bengals greatest success shares similar roots in their founder's coaching tree, with great minds the legend Paul Brown made part of the plan. A blueprint which helped establish the post modern passing era. Included in that is uber architect and former Bengals assistant Bill Walsh. Owens now reconnects both those legacies with his arrival, it has been quite a journey to this point in time.
His ability to play great at important times should not be overshadowed by his oratorical excess. He can back up talk with action, and then tell you about it after that. That's another part of the world's greatest sport, it what elevates the NFL over all other team pursuits and other other pro league. Welcome back to the world you play in, time to do some damage, TO!
Andrew B.:
Kudos to you, BUT your graphic/web designer has nearly buried you from easy access with your current new web page design -- as it takes multiple clicks to find you.
Instead, your column should be "weighted" more and easier to find than everyone else who is a mere planet revolving around the center of the universe, you.
shoes Jimmy Choo Shoes,Lacoste Shirts,Lacoste Shoes,LV Shoes,Paul Smith Shoes,Sebago Fashion Shoes and UGG boots
Air jordan(1-24)shoes Save: 32% off
UGG boota Save: 40% off
Tshirts (Polo ,ed hardy,lacoste) Save: 38% off
Bikini (Ed hardy) Save: 32% off
FREE SHIPPING
The brand-Ed Hardy was originally created by Christian Audigier who was a famous rock and roll style fashion designer.
The fashion designer Christian Audigier was regarded as “King of jeans.”,he had been the designer of some famous brand ,such as Levi's,lee,Diesel,etc.
In 2004, Christian Audigier left Von Dutch and proceeded to create and launch the wildly popular Ed Hardy brand. He was granted the exclusive rights to the designs of Don Ed Hardy, who is commonly referred to as the “Godfather of Tattoo.”. They combined the tattoo art with fashion,added the elements of vintage punk,and street culture as well.Their unique cooropation redefine the "Street Fashion', boldly create brand characteristics with remarkable American spirit.
Louie Vuitton bags. They purpose really closely with everyone from eBay to regional law enforcement businesses to hinder the selling of those copycat items
Cap and cash ramifications of...
Thoughts on Indy, Eli, Wes, Mario...
The numbers behind the game
Real action is week before the...
Signs point to the end of an era
Jul 30, 2010
01:35 PM
I'm sure Jermichael Finley saw dollar signs when Gates signed that contract also. If he can build off his strong finish last year, he (and his agent) will no doubt try to frame him in the same category as Gates.