Okay since I been able to read the mind of Martin Mayhew and Tom Lewand lets see if I can do it again for Cliff. Now I know that Cliff wants a long term contract. Frankly so would I. His current contract is killing us IMHO. So how about this sports fans. I say give him 6 year contract. That would be twice as long as his previous contract hence he should be thrilled. For that contract I would give him a 20 Million Signing bonus that would hit the cap for 4 million a year for the first 5 years of the deal. Now his base salary would be the following:

2012 - 3.5 million

2013 - 4.5 million

2014 - 5.75 million

2015 - 7.25 million

2016 - 9.25 million

2017 - 9.75 million

Now that would be a total of 40 million in base salary. So overall he is getting a 6 year 60 million dollar contract with a 20 million SB. Not a bad deal IMHO. I would even sweeten the deal with a half million bonus if he is the leader in sacks or forced fumbles. (or takes out a qb j/k). That would be the deal I would give him for his 2nd contract. Come 2017 we can talk of another 5 year deal for his 3rd contract. BTW he is currently 26 years old come April so his 3rd contract would not start until he is just in his later prime although for great DE's do they ever not have a prime?