Contract $$ Amounts -- What should Suh get?

by n4ry4 on Aug 2, 2010 3:44 PM EDT

I was curious what kind of contract to expect for Suh, so I looked up some numbers for comparison's sake of the #1 - #3 picks this year compared to last year.

Note: All of these contract $$ numbers are from Wikipedia, and don't take into account some of the crazy complexities of NFL contracts, which almost nobody except player agents and NFL lawyers probably understand. Anyone who knows more than I do (which is very little) about NFL contracts, please help sort this out...

MAX CONTRACT VALUE

#1 2009 Stafford $13 mil/yr ($78 mil / 6 years)
#1 2010 Bradford $14.3 mil/yr ($86 mil / 6 years)

-> 10.2% increase

#2 2009 Jason Smith $10.16 mil/yr ($61 mil / 6 years)
#2 2010 Ndamukong Suh ? ? ?

-> ?? % increase

#3 2009 Tyson Jackson $11.4 mil/yr ($57 mil / 5 years)
#3 2010 Gerald McCoy $12.6 mil/yr ($63 mil / 5 years)

-> 10.5% increase

GUARANTEED AMOUNT

#1 2009 Stafford $6.95 mil/yr ($41.7 mil / 6 years)
#1 2010 Bradford $8.33 mil/yr ($50 mil / 6 years)

-> 19.9% increase

#2 2009 Jason Smith $5.5 mil/yr ($33 mil / 6 years)
#2 2010 Ndamukong Suh ? ? ?

-> ?? % increase

#3 2009 Tyson Jackson $6.2 mil/yr ($31 mil / 5 years)
#3 2010 Gerald McCoy $7 mil/yr ($35 mil / 5 years)

-> 12.9% increase

...

Notice that both the #1 and the #3 got about a 10% increase from 2009 to 2010 in total value. However, also notice that the #3 got only a 12.9% increase, while the #1 got a 19.9% increase in guaranteed money.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and attribute some of that increase disparity to positional value. Tyson Jackson is a Defensive End, a position that carries more value than a Defensive Tackle. Stafford and Bradford obviously play the same position, so it's easier to make an apples-apples comparison.

This may be important, I believe, because last year's #2, Jason Smith, was a Left Tackle, arguably the second most important position in football.

So, suppose Suh gets a 12.9% increase over Jason Smith, like McCoy got over Tyson Jackson in the guaranteed portion. Also suppose Suh gets a 10% increase in total possibile money.

For a six-year contract, at a 10% increase over last year's #2 in total money, and a 12.9% increase in guaranteed money, Suh would get $67.1 million with $37.26 million guaranteed.

The problem here, is that 37.26 million over 6 years gives Suh $6.2 million per year, which is $0.8 million LESS than Gerald McCoy is getting. Gerald McCoy, on a five-year deal, is getting $35 million guaranteed, or $7 million per year.

Matthew Stafford is getting just under $6.95 million/year guaranteed ($41.7 mil / 6 years).

Ignore Sam Bradford for a moment. Gerald McCoy is getting more guaranteed money per year than Matthew Stafford. This could be the problem (or at least one of them) getting Suh signed to the Lions.

So, if you were Lewand, what would you offer Suh:

Poll

What kind of guaranteed contract amount should the Lions offer Ndamukong Suh?

Suh was the best player in college football last year. He's THE prospect the Lions wanted more than anybody else. Bradford got $50 million. Suh is more of a sure thing, even if quarterbacks have more upside. Give Suh whatever he asks for.

3 votes

More than Gerald McCoy, but less than Sam Bradford. It doesn't matter if Suh makes more than Matthew Stafford, offer him $42-$44 mil guaranteed and get him in camp.

50 votes

Our #2-overall DT should NOT make more money than our #1-overall franchise QB. Offer Suh a little less than Stafford (say, $41 mil / 6 years), even if it's also less guaranteed $$ than Gerald McCoy. If Suh holds out, let him! The TEAM is more important

62 votes

Our #2 Defensive Tackle should not be paid more than a "normal" pay increase over last year's #2 Left Tackle. Jason Smith got $33 million. Offer Suh $37 million for six years, even if it's less per year than Gerald McCoy, and be prepared for a long wait

4 votes

119 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit or its writers. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.

Tweet Comment 23 comments | 2 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

The fans' opinion on this is totally worthless and irrelevant.

Personally, if the Lions are holding up the negotiations because they want to keep Staff as the highest paid player on the Lions that is a mistake. You have to pay Suh more than McCoy. They really don’t have a choice.

by NorthLeft12 on Aug 2, 2010 3:53 PM EDT reply actions

Then why did you comment?

Expectations don't produce!

by 2manyears on Aug 2, 2010 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

why not comment?

it’s worth discussing

Hey that's a timeout, I can play right? yeah, get me--get the F-- Help me up...I can throw the ball if you need me to throw the ball...

by n4ry4 on Aug 2, 2010 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Boy will I be glad to actually talk about football, not salaries, etc.

IMO the business side of sports is totally ruining the actual “sporting” experience.

by NorthLeft12 on Aug 2, 2010 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

+1 Trillion

I’m completely sick of all this money talk. It’s nearly football time, that’s what I’m focusing on.

RIP Robyn Bailey 1961 - 2010. I love you mum.

by Hyperion Ecta on Aug 2, 2010 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I chose Option 3 less than Staff

Very nicely done .. I like the way you presented …

The problem with ur logic is …

Guaranteed money cannot be divided by years .. Lets say he gets 40 Mill Guaranteed in a 6 year contract … seems less on average than McCoy .. But it isn’t … Why ? .. Because if they both get released/injured in year 1 .. Suh still makes 5 Mill More … you see ?

Now Total contract value will matter .. when and if they both finish their full term .. so that should average out higher for Suh ..

IMO .. He should get 6 Years 72 – 77 Mill .. with $40 or 41 Mill Guaranteed

That’s 5 Mill more Guaranteed than McCoy .. Slightly more than Mccoy overall in Avg Salary but he does get a 6th year …

by Libran on Aug 2, 2010 4:07 PM EDT reply actions

IF

Suh would get the same kind of offer Bradford got in relation to Stafford, than Smith got $33 mill (1.9999999%) = $39.6 mill less than Stafford, but in line with Bradford’s deal.

by detroitSteve on Aug 2, 2010 4:27 PM EDT reply actions

Exactly

Bradford got paid in relation to Staff … a % increase … Thats what I think the Lions are saying … and I think Suh’s agents want the lions to pay him on a quarterback’s scale …

by Libran on Aug 2, 2010 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Rediculous

GUARANTEED AMOUNT

  #1 2009 Stafford $6.95 mil/yr ($41.7 mil / 6 years)
  #1 2010 Bradford $8.33 mil/yr ($50 mil / 6 years)

  → 19.9% increase

This pretty much sums up why this has gotten way out of hand.

by Big Z in Orlando on Aug 2, 2010 5:05 PM EDT reply actions

Stafford only made $3M last year

So I don’t see that being an issue.

[...]when Giants coach Steve Owen, a certified defensive genius, was asked how he planned to stop Nagurski, he said: "With a shotgun, as he’s leaving the dressing room."

by NobodySpecial on Aug 2, 2010 6:48 PM EDT reply actions

Dude .. No offence .. you need to understand contracts

That’s not how it works … That’s never compared … It doesn’t matter who was paid what last year .. that they negotiate based on their own .. How much they actually get paid in 2010 or 2011

The main negotiation is How much total they will get paid and what is guaranteed if they get injured ..

by Libran on Aug 2, 2010 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions

41.6 Million I think

Staff was guaranteed 41.6 or 41.7 Mill

If he would have been injured in training camp for good last yer, he would have got a total of that … 41+ Mill … no matter what … .. Now the lions would have to pay as per discussed earlier .. over 6 years or 16 years or 60 years …

The Texas Rangers still owe A-Rod a big chunk of money from his previous contract and they owe some player from like 20-30 years ago too :)

by Libran on Aug 2, 2010 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Mickey Tettleton

hasn’t played since ’97 and is still on the Rangers books

In life, a man is either the hammer or the anvil. Ndamukong Suh is both
Pride of Detroits village idiot

by JazzyBBP on Aug 2, 2010 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions

What should Suh get?

A hard dick and some bubblegum.

Ok, I’m joking. What would be fair, in my eyes, for the second overall pick, would probably be somewhere in the vicinity of $20 million guaranteed.

They should make the rookie salary structure more like the NBA’s. In the NBA, the no. 1 pick gets a pretty reasonable salary in the $5 million a year range, but, as crazy as this might sound, they actually have to go out on the court and prove that they’re worth the $20 million a year max salary before they get it. I know, it’s absolutely nuts.

by motown313 on Aug 2, 2010 6:50 PM EDT reply actions

lol hey motown313

“hard dick and some bubblegum” you get the from the rapper big l ?

Next move trade for Jarrad Page

by DetroitLions 4 life on Aug 2, 2010 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Suh should get

2 years, 500K a year, and no guaranteed $.

by beef99 on Aug 2, 2010 8:31 PM EDT reply actions

^Crack

Next move trade for Jarrad Page

by DetroitLions 4 life on Aug 2, 2010 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions

every rookie should

by beef99 on Aug 3, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions

i get where ur comin from but 500k no way not for a number 2 pick there should be a rookie cap

Next move trade for Jarrad Page

by DetroitLions 4 life on Aug 3, 2010 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

My Solution:

The problem is McCoy signed a 5 yr deal, which throws the whole McCoy Suh Bradford/ Stafford, thing off.

But this is all fixed real easy, let me explain.

The Deal: Max=$63Mil, Guarantee=$41.7, Over 5yrs.

Give Suh the Same amount in GT money as Stafford last year but over 5 yrs
41.7/5=8.34 which is greater than McCoy at 7 mill and Bradford at 8.33 in Guaranteed $$$$ per year. Which will make Suh’s agents happy.

Here is the But:

The Max on the deal is $63 million, the same as McCoy. This is because you are getting a 5 yr deal, The Same As McCoy. Over 5yrs this is 12.6 mil a year. very close to Stafford’s 13 mil. Which is still a 24% increase over Jason Smith 10.16 mil, who was drafted at the same spot last year, double the increase that the #1 and #3 pick had in Max money.

I don’t think anyone here would be upset with getting this deal. It is fair (well fair as can be when talking about a #2 pick in the NFL). Everyone gets what they want.

$63 mil Max / $41.7 mil Guaranteed Over 5yrs!!!!! Get It Done!!!!

Suh says he is a Sure Thing/Best Player in the Draft, give him the $$$ front load the contract in the Un-Capped year but get a deal on the Max $$$, The GuY is a BEaST! In 5 years We will Be Singing SongS aBout a BoY NameD, SSSUUUUUUHHHHH!!!!

Get this Deal DONE!!!

by j16941 on Aug 3, 2010 1:15 AM EDT reply actions

P.S.

Rec’d, Great Post!!!!

by j16941 on Aug 3, 2010 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions

The problem with the "Uncapped" year

Some of the owners are talking about some retroactive terms for this year, meaning all the teams that dumped big contracts in the “uncapped” year may wind up getting hosed! Which may or may not be fair. I guess it depends on whether or not your the one who dumped a contract! :)

by donl517 on Aug 3, 2010 7:23 AM EDT up reply actions