Tale of two contracts.

As we head into the opening of training camp for the Atlanta Falcons, I thought it was interesting that these two guys are going in somewhat different directions.

First there is this year’s first round draft choice Peria Jerry who just signed a nice fat juicy five year contract. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but according to the ajc:

Last season, Tennessee selected running back Chris Johnson with the 24th pick, and he received a five-year, $12 million deal, of which $7 million was guaranteed. Johnson had a base salary of $295,000 in 2008 — followed by $385,000 in 2009, $550,000 in 2010, $800,000 in 2011 and $960,000 in 2012.

Like I said. A nice fat juicy contract. I hope Peria does well and anchors the d-line for years to come.

And on the other end you have 2005 first round draft choice, Pro Bowl wide receiver Roddy White. He wants some more duckets.

White’s position is that he could suffer a career-ending injury, and there are no fully guaranteed contracts in the NFL. He said during the offseason that he wanted to have his contract situation resolved before the season started. What wasn’t clear was whether White meant the start of training camp or the start of the regular season.

However, the Falcons are under no duress to complete an extension. White is under contract for the season and could become a restricted free agent for one year because the NFL owners opted out of the collective bargaining agreement with the NFLPA, the player’s union, and could face “uncapped” salary requirements next season. White would lose the leverage that comes with entering unrestricted free agency when his contact expires.

I can understand White’s position, but one year does not a contract make. I hope he reports and does not try to hold the Falcons for ransom. I do think that White can become a premier receiver, so I hope they work out the details behind the scenes and everyone lives happily ever after.

Hot damn, Falcons training camp opens tomorrow!

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2 thoughts on “Tale of two contracts.”

  1. Remember Javon Walker? He was a promising WR, making jump ball catches in traffic, making Favre look good on few plays where he just threw it up for grabs.

    Well he held out and then Favre browbeat him into ending the holdout. He promptly gets injured and is off the Packers.

    That’s right there are no guaranteed contracts. He better get whatever guaranteed signing bonus he can, to protect against a serious injury. He may be under contract but he may have the best leverage now, coming off a big season for himself and the team.

    That said, some of these agents are ridiculous. Crabtree’s agent thinks his client should get fifth pick money instead of the 10th pick money reflecting his drafting position. Rationale is that fith was where he was expected to be picked so he deserves that money, even though Crabtree slid as teams passed him by.

  2. I agree on all points, which is why I said I understand White’s position. I just hope White and his agent are not going to hold our for ridiculous money that is not in order because of one great year (well, one really good year).

    The article mentions several other “top” receivers. I do not think White should get Larry Fitzgerald type money, but it is probably reasonable to say White is in that $7.8’ish range of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Roy Williams, and Andre Johnson.

    NFL contracts are strange – it is all about the signing bonus because a 5 year contract is not actually guaranteed for five years. The team can cut you at any point and the only penalty the team faces is a hit to the salary cap. If the player holds out, you have jackasses like me that get up in arms.

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