Raji, Packers both winners
By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Aug. 18, 2009
Green Bay Missing 13 days of practice might not seem like a good tradeoff for the contract Green Bay Packers first-round draft choice B.J. Raji received.
But when you look at some of the hidden figures, Raji did well.
In turn, the Packers didn't give up the farm like they did in the past with running back Ryan Grant and receiver Greg Jennings.
They did not pay the premium the New York Jets and Oakland Raiders did for their top-10 selections, signings that are still having an impact in the first round.
Raji's deal, reported at five years and $28.5 million, is worth only $17.7 million at its bare bones, according to two NFL sources. But if Raji plays 35% of the snaps in any year of the contract, he will receive a one-time bonus of $5.22 million, a near certainty given his likelihood of being a starter this year and beyond.
That bumps the compensation up to $22.9 million. There are other features that will allow him to earn as much as $28.5 million, but he would have to be an all-pro almost immediately to do so.
The big number is the $17.7 million in guaranteed money. That's 14.7% more than what the No. 9 pick in the 2008 draft, Cincinnati linebacker Keith Rivers, received. By comparison, the Jets' Mark Sanchez received 40% more than the No. 5 pick last year, and Raiders receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (No. 7) got20% more.
Raji's increase appears to be a compromise and is in the same ballpark as a number of rookies chosen around him, such as Washington's Brian Orakpo (No. 13)and New Orleans' Malcolm Jenkins (No. 14).
Raji could have waited to see what No. 10 pick Michael Crabtree received from San Francisco, but even if Crabtree signed a monster deal it probably wouldnt have led the Packers to follow suit.
Im real satisfied with what I got, Raji said. Im blessed to be in this position and blessed to be playing for an organization thats willing to do right by you. All you want is it to be fair for yourself and your family. The Packers understood that. Thats why we came to an agreement.
Raji has the highest salary-cap number of the Packers drafted rookies at $2.5 million, accounting for 46% of the teams rookie salary-cap allotment. General manager Ted Thompson and negotiator Russ Ball had $5,443,396 to spend on their eight draft picks and numerous rookie free agents.
They wound up spending $5,420,238.
Fingers crossed: Both general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy said they don't believe this is the end of the road for defensive end Justin Harrell.
The third-year pro is back to where he started after spending seven months rehabilitating his back and getting in what he thought was good enough shape. According to Thompson, the doctors have pinpointed what is wrong and have a course of treatment prescribed.
"I don't think anybody's talking in those terms," he said of a career-ending injury. "That's not what our guys say on the medical end. I'm sure it's very frustrating for him."
Big hit: The "decleator" of a block that tight end Jermichael Finley delivered on Cleveland defensive end C.J. Mosley on Saturday night played well in the film room.
"For sure," Finley said. "They said, 'Man, you cracked back on him hard. Has the letter hit your locker with the fine yet?'"
The 248-pound Finley expressed confidence that his shoulder-on-shoulder frontal hit on the 305-pound Mosley as James Jones turned up the field during an 11-yard reception would draw no fine from the league office.
"We didn't go helmet-to-helmet," said Finley. "Really, I was trying to get him before he got me. You got to get yours before they get theirs."
Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin saluted Finley, supposedly a finesse player when he entered the league last year, for making a punishing block.
"I liked the aggressiveness," said Philbin. It was a good, physical play.
Even keel: Tight end Donald Lee, the starter since 2007, has a simple philosophy when it comes to the challenge by Finley for a significant portion of his playing time.
"I just try to worry about things I can control," said Lee. "My effort, my attitude, the way I practice and the way I play. Whatever else happens, it happens. Theres no quittin in me. Im going to come here and give it all I got every day."
ROOKIE CONTRACTS
B.J. Raji, NT (first round), 5 years, $17.7 million. Signing bonus: $2.4 million. Option bonus (paid March 2010): $7 million. Total guaranteed: $17.7 million. Base salaries: $310,000 in '09, $562,500 in '10, $955,000 in '11, $1,347,500 in '12, $1,740,000 in '13, $2,132,500 in '14. Salary-cap number: $2.05 million
Clay Matthews, LB (first), 5 years, $9.925 million. Signing bonus: $800,000. Option bonus (paid March 2010): $3.72 million. Roster bonuses: $2.275 million. Base salaries: $310,000 in '09, $395,000 in '10, $660,000 in '11, $800,000 in '12 and $805,000 in '13. Cap number: $1.22 million
T.J. Lang, OL, (fourth), 4 years, $2,252,500. Signing bonus: $525,000. Base salaries: Yearly minimums ($310,000 in '09, $395,000 in '10, $480,000 in '11 and $565,000 in '12). Cap number: $441,250.
Quinn Johnson, FB (fifth), 4 years, $1,942,276. Signing bonus: $192,275. Base salaries: Yearly minimums. Cap number: $358,068.
Jamon Meredith, OT (fifth), 4 years, $1,922,500. Signing bonus: $172,500. Base salaries: Yearly minimums. Cap number: $353,125.
Jarius Wynn, DE (sixth), 4 years, $1,858,732. Signing bonus: $108,730. Base salaries: Yearly minimums. Cap number: $337,182.
Brandon Underwood, CB (sixth), 4 years, $1,852,200. Signing bonus: $102,200. Base salaries: Yearly minimums. Cap number: $335,550.
Brad Jones, LB (seventh), 4 years, $1,810,256. Signing bonus: $60,255. Base salaries: Yearly minimums. Cap number: $325,063.