CaptainHook Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 (edited) NFL players are finding a little financial boost in their mailboxes as a result of the league's "performance based pay" system. In the case of Jim Sorgi, the operative term is "little." The Indianapolis Colts' backup quarterback earned a check for $189, or about $115 after taxes. "A couple of tanks of gas and that thing's gone," Sorgi said Friday afternoon. Sorgi's miniscule check was a result of him getting on the field for just one play during the 2006 regular season -- as a holder on an extra point against Houston. Quarterback Peyton Manning took all 1,011 offensive snaps. Sorgi's bonus is the fifth-lowest issued by the NFL, and pales in comparison to the vast majority of his teammates. Twenty-two Colts received a check for at least $48,430. The bounty for seven players topped $112,000. Drawing the largest bonuses were rookie safety Antoine Bethea ($259,249), guard Jake Scott ($202,582) and cornerback Jason David ($180,920). Bethea's check was the fourth-highest in the league. The performance-based pay system rewards every player in the league who stepped on the field. Individual compensation is based on a comparison of playing time and the player's adjusted regular-season compensation. A player's "index'' is compared to those of his teammates, resulting in the size of his check. Generally, individuals who receive the largest checks played a prominent role for their team while earning low base salaries. Bethea, a sixth-round draft pick in '06, started 14 regular-season games while earning a base salary of $275,000, the league minimum for a rookie. For the 2006 season, the fund totaled $96 million, or $3 million per club. Fifty-seven players who took at least one snap with the Colts received checks. That included Manning ($8,426), wide receivers Marvin Harrison ($13,638) and Reggie Wayne ($16,611) and defensive end Dwight Freeney ($11,667). from Indy Star Edited March 31, 2007 by CaptainHook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted March 31, 2007 Author Share Posted March 31, 2007 As I understand it, this money does not count against the cap. It was developed to reward guys who played a lot, but have very low (comparatively) salaries. The fact that Manning, Wayne, and Freeney get checks, is hilarious, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outshined Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 Generally, individuals who receive the largest checks played a prominent role for their team while earning low base salaries. Bethea, a sixth-round draft pick in '06, started 14 regular-season games while earning a base salary of $275,000, the league minimum for a rookie. Its a good program for people like Bethea, but Manning and others who make millions per year..cmon For the 2006 season, the fund totaled $96 million, or $3 million per club. Just another reason ticket prices are so high... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted March 31, 2007 Author Share Posted March 31, 2007 Just another reason ticket prices are so high... there was an article about this last year in the local paper too, the money doesn't come from the owners, IIRC. But you are right, it does seem silly to be giving bonuses to NFL players. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowboutthemCowboys Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 there was an article about this last year in the local paper too, the money doesn't come from the owners, IIRC. But you are right, it does seem silly to be giving bonuses to NFL players. . . Cowboys safety Pat Watkins received $229,802 from the NFL's "Performance Based Pay" system this week, the 13th highest total for any player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 If you're making more than, say, 3x the minimum salary for a person of your tenure in the league, your "bonus" should go (maybe) to a charity benefiting (i) health care needs of retired players unable to afford health care and/or (ii) research on mental and physical health for retired NFL players and safety for current players (i.e., in the equipment, etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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