POSTED 1:23 p.m. EDT, March 11, 2007 STALLWORTH SIGNED A "PROVE IT" DEAL As we guessed several days ago, the contract that receiver Donte' Stallworth has inked with the New England Patriots is a one-year "prove it" deal. If he is effective, and if he doesn't get suspended for violation of the substance abuse policy, the team will likely pay him $8 million in 2008 bonus money. If he is not effective, or if he gets suspended, the team can walk away. And if Stallworth is a training camp train wreck, the team is out only a $1 million signing bonus and $300,000 workout bonus. So why didn't Stallworth just sign a one-year deal and head back to free agency in 2008? If he plays well enough for the Pats to happily hand him $8 million by early March, he'd likely get much more than that on the open market. The glitch, as one league insider has explained it to us, is the franchise tag. Under a one-year deal, the Pats would still have the ability to restrict Stallworth's movement by extending an offer with a one-season salary equal to the average of the five highest-paid receivers in the game. And with Stallworth set to earn $11 million in 2008 if the Patriots like what he does in 2007, they surely would have been willing to use the franchise tag -- which will be several million bucks less than his currently scheduled pay -- if Stallworth had played like a star under a one-year deal. (The structure of the contract prevents the Pats from passing on the option bonus but then tying Stallworth's hands -- and saving a lot of money -- with the franchise tag, since the option bonus is due after the last day for using the franchise or transition tags.) So why not ask the team to agree not to use the franchise tag? As the source explained, it's hard to get a one-year deal worth much more than the veteran minimum if the team then has no way to extend the player's tenure with the team.
Eh, I won't say it's a bad deal at all. I do think that'll he'll somehow find his way off the Pats after the 2007 season. Whether it be a lack of production, injuries or off-field problems, I think he won't stick around. You're a Pats fan aren't you? It's become obvious. Just get yourself a different user name or something.
I am not game playing nor trolling. I have not attacked anyone and post facts. Sorry if i made you angry.
More As we guessed several days ago, the contract that receiver Donte' Stallworth has inked with the New England Patriots is a one-year "prove it" deal. If he is effective, and if he doesn't get suspended for violation of the substance abuse policy, the team will likely pay him $8 million in 2008 bonus money. If he is not effective, or if he gets suspended, the team can walk away. And if Stallworth is a training camp train wreck, the team is out only a $1 million signing bonus and $300,000 workout bonus. So why didn't Stallworth just sign a one-year deal and head back to free agency in 2008? If he plays well enough for the Pats to happily hand him $8 million by early March, he'd likely get much more than that on the open market. The glitch, as one league insider has explained it to us, is the franchise tag. Under a one-year deal, the Pats would still have the ability to restrict Stallworth's movement by extending an offer with a one-season salary equal to the average of the five highest-paid receivers in the game. And with Stallworth set to earn $11 million in 2008 if the Patriots like what he does in 2007, they surely would have been willing to use the franchise tag -- which will be several million bucks less than his currently scheduled pay -- if Stallworth had played like a star under a one-year deal. (The structure of the contract prevents the Pats from passing on the option bonus but then tying Stallworth's hands -- and saving a lot of money -- with the franchise tag, since the option bonus is due after the last day for using the franchise or transition tags.) So why not ask the team to agree not to use the franchise tag? As the source explained, it's hard to get a one-year deal worth much more than the veteran minimum if the team then has no way to extend the player's tenure with the team.
Who cares whether he is a Jets fan or not? Debate the issue at hand .Just dont speculate or accuse someone of being a pats fan just because you disagree with him.
Junc... Look, clearly you are a smart individual, have very insightful thoughts on the NFL, and are a level-headed guy. With all that said, this diatribe on the Pats you have been on over FA is crazy-talk. First of all, simply because we don't have a track record of spending a lot of our cap money on high-priced FA in the off-season, doesn't mean that this off-season's signings will fail. It also doesn't mean it will succeed either. But the point is, the fate of these signings isn't already written. Anyway, let's wait and see how they perform, rather than condemn them before they even play a game.
I happen to know the leak didn't come from the Eagles. You don't know anything and are making baseless accusations.
doesn't matter what your username is. It's easy to spot a homer. And that guy is a Pats homer if I ever saw one.
Hahahaha...I love how the argument was he wasn't seen much in the playoffs and Lovie didn't trust him, yet he was the leading rusher in the postseason and had a very good Superbowl... Then when you noticed that, you say this... :lol:
It's a good pickup, but it makes the Welker pick up all the more pointless. Are they running the oop-dee-oop? -X-
My beef was the fact every contract that comes out this guy jumps on the first reports and turns out to be wrong every single time. This is a great pickup and the pats and you guys obvioulsy have all the power in this deal. "This deal is a basically a one year deal with a 5 year option if the patriots choose to exercise it. This deal has an option after this year that triggers the rest of the deal if the patriots choose to exercise it. If not they can part ways with him and move on. He does not recieve 12 mill up front, and will only remain with them past 2007 if they choose. If he puts up big numbers and they feel he is worth the lions share of that 12 mill they can choose to extend him for the full deal. It also includes protection against the drug crap and a nagging injury issue." Bottom line: A. Stallworth is there for a few million dollars for one year. B. The Pats have an option to sign him to a rich 5 year deal after that if he turns out to perform on a high level. With the terms already pre-negotiated. Or they can cut him lose. C. The deal is based on performance and the pats are protected D.This was a pretty good deal
I allways thought the guy was over rated but it looks like they got him for peanuts. I'm betting they draft a WR work him in and cut Stallworth after the season. For the money they signed him for it looks like a great move even if for only depth. The guy is costing them way less than McCariens cost us and is pretty much just as good.
Welker and Stallworth play completely different WR positions. Welker will be the guy running in the middle, Stallworth on the outside. I don't see how one negates the other. Please explain what you mean by this. Thanks.
No they are getting a real deep threat for a good price, pairing him with one of the best qb's ever, and not taking any risk doing it. The deal actually give the pats all the power. This guy has to perform to not be cut in 08 and to pick up the 5 year option to make the real $$ They can basically draft a wr use stallworth for a year for a few million and then dump him if they do not think he is worth the 12 mill over 6 years.
Neither one of these guys are a legitimate 2, they are both guys who will play in 3 or 4 WR sets. These are guys that thrive against nickel backs and don't belong on the field in 2 WR sets.
