Saleries for the Superbowl teams

He's loving the playoff bonus money.

 

No doubt.
JJ Stokes, too, since he was out of work.


I think Davis' total payout for the year is supposed to be over $6 mil including incentives. Clayton said it would be exactly $7 mil if he won Super Bowl MVP, which I think was worth $250k?

 

grody. to the max.

 

I found this on Charlotte.com

I thought that this was interesting since some were talking salary-cap issues:



Price of success: Cap room
Davis, Delhomme reap rewards of incentive-laden deals
PAT YASINSKAS
Staff Writer

HOUSTON - Running back Stephen Davis and quarterback Jake Delhomme might have seemed like bargains when the Carolina Panthers signed them as free agents in March. But strong seasons and a Super Bowl run have earned Delhomme and Davis a lot more money.

That makes their salary-cap figures for next season much higher than expected. According to numbers obtained by The Observer, the cap figures for Davis and Delhomme for 2003 were a combined $3.88 million, and they were going to be $4.82 million for 2004. But they already have combined to earn an additional $3.35 million for next season by fulfilling a variety of incentive clauses in their contracts.

The bonuses are paid immediately, and cost the Panthers cap room next season. But it's unlikely the Panthers would be playing the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII on Sunday if Delhomme and Davis didn't have such productive seasons.

Davis, a running back released by Washington after last season, was believed to be seeking a long-term deal worth $5 million to $6 million a year when free agency began, but his price tag dropped. The Panthers signed him to a five-year deal at just over $3 million a season.

Davis received a $2.5 million signing bonus, a $500,000 bonus for reporting to training camp and a $100,000 bonus for taking part in the offseason workout program. His base salary for this season was $1 million and his salary-cap figure $2.1 million.

But Davis has earned an additional $2.65 million (bringing his first-year earnings to $6.75 million) by reaching a bunch of incentives:

• $1.35 million by rushing for more than 1,400 yards (1,444) in the regular season.

• $200,000 for scoring eight touchdowns.

• $500,000 for finishing among the top three rushers in the NFC (third).

• $300,000 for playing in 60 percent of the offensive snaps, for rushing for 1,000 yards and for the Panthers reaching the playoffs.

• $100,000 for being selected to the Pro Bowl.

• $50,000 for having at least 150 receiving yards (159).

• $150,000 in three $50,000 increments because the Panthers have won three playoff games.

He is to receive another $50,000 if the Panthers win the Super Bowl.

That is going to play havoc with Davis' cap figure for 2004. Without incentive bonuses, it would have been $2.6 million. That has jumped to $5.25 million and will increase to $5.3 million if the Panthers win Sunday.

Delhomme signed a two-year, $4 million deal with a 2003 cap figure of $1.78 million. He was one of the league's lowest-paid starting quarterbacks. His signing bonus was $1.5 million with a $400,000 reporting bonus, a $100,000 roster bonus and a $530,000 base salary.

But Delhomme has earned $750,000 in incentives:

• $350,000 for participating in 55 percent of the offensive plays and finishing among the league's top 15 in quarterback rating (14th).

• $100,000 for taking part in 60 percent of the plays and for the Panthers reaching the playoffs.

• $300,000 in three $100,000 increments for each playoff victory.

He will receive an extra $100,000 if the Panthers win Sunday.

Delhomme came close to another $350,000 that he would have received for meeting two of four statistical criteria. He made one, throwing for more than 3,200 yards (3,219). He was a ways off on two targets: completing 62 percent of his passes (59.2 percent) and having an interception percentage of 2.7 or less (3.6). And he came one touchdown pass short of the 20 required to earn him the bonus.

The bonuses he did receive mean his cap figure for 2004 has jumped from $2.22 million to $2.97 million and will go up $100,000 more if the Panthers win the Super Bowl.

Not counting Davis' and Delhomme's bonuses, the Panthers had $64.5 million committed to next year's salary cap, which is likely to be about $79 million. With that cap room, they have a bunch of their own free agents, highlighted by Steve Smith, Jeno James, John Kasay and Deon Grant, to attempt to re-sign.

The Panthers might be tempted to restructure Davis' contract to lower his cap figure for next year. It's very likely they'll try to extend Delhomme's contract to a long-term deal. The Panthers now view him as their quarterback for the long term, and a new deal could lessen his cap hit for next season.

Playoff Payoffs

League bonuses for each player in each round of the playoffs. The bonuses, which are in addition to individual playoff bonuses written into contracts, do not count against the salary cap. Each Panther is assured a total of $109,000, and with a win Sunday would receive a total of $140,500:

Wild-Card round

DIVISION WINNERS: $18,000WILD-CARD TEAMS: $15,000

Divisional ROUND

ALL TEAMS: $18,000

Conference ChampionshipS

ALL TEAMS: $36,500

Super Bowl

WINNING TEAM: $68,000

LOSING TEAM: $36,500.


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Pat Yasinskas: (704) 358-5899; [email protected].