Some clarification regarding Sean Taylor's contract

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

NFL.com - Washington Redskins Team News

The base contract is 7 years, $18M with a signing bonus of $7.2M.

With option and roster bonuses, that brings his potential bonus money to over $13M.

His contract also includes escalators that could bring his total contract to over $40M, with the 7th year voidable. The escalators are based on playing time, performance, and Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections.

Considering his Pro Bowl appearance last year and the fact he hasn't missed any significant time so far in his career, you'd have to think he's already hit some of those escalators.

So the question is, how do we really know that he's unhappy about his current contract when we really don't know what he's been paid to date as far as escalators go?

The pro-bowl clause is an interesting one, the article says pro-bowl "selections." Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Taylor actually an alternate last year, and got to fill in as first-alternate when Brian Dawkins bowed out? Who knows how that affects the escalator.

But your point still stands, he could have a higher salary for all we know. Furthermore, whether he had escalators or not, that still does not have any bonus money due to him. The $13 million in bonuses has already been paid. So if he wants to collect the REMAINING money that is due to him (whether it's escalated or not), he still needs to show up and play for us.

This is just to say that the 'Skins have the leverage if Taylor even decided to raise a contract stink (which we don't know if he will). Taylor is still going to play for us because it's in his financial best interests. He's not going to try a hold-out, so everyone chill.

[CrazyCanuck]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

But your point still stands, he could have a higher salary for all we know. Furthermore, whether he had escalators or not, that still does not have any bonus money due to him. The $13 million in bonuses has already been paid. So if he wants to collect the REMAINING money that is due to him (whether it's escalated or not), he still needs to show up and play for us.

This is just to say that the 'Skins have the leverage if Taylor even decided to raise a contract stink (which we don't know if he will). Taylor is still going to play for us because it's in his financial best interests. He's not going to try a hold-out, so everyone chill.

I hope you're right. I still worry.

Like you said all his bonus money has been collected and the contract runs through 2009 at least. Seems like a long time to just play for salary (long time in today's NFL). TO is the king of the bonus money game - sign a deal with big bonus money, play for a year or two, whine and complain, sign with another team for more bonus money, rinse and repeat... I hope Taylor doesn't try to play this game but he does have the same agent.

And let's not forget that Taylor was already holding out in 2005, ONE year into his current contract. Luckily for us he got really attached to that ATV and his pending arrest forced him to put his contract demands on hold.

I hope Taylor has matured since then. Personally I don't think his play warrants a new contract at this point. He's made pretty good money so far, more than he's been worth IMO. I think he's a very good player with potential to be a superstar, but he's not there yet. If he wants to get paid like the Ray Lewises and Urlachers of the world he needs to step up his game and become a true team leader on and off the field.