CaptainHook Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 Maurice Clarett, who legally challenged the league for early entry, still hasn't given up the thought he should have been a first-round choice in the NFL. Instead of suing the league, Clarett came up with a novel approach. He is putting his money where his mouth is. On Thursday, he signed a four-year contract in which he gave up the $410,000 of guaranteed money in order to secure an incentive-laden deal that could eventually earn him $7 million. The complex contract, which includes more than $5 million of performance escalators, forced the Broncos and Clarett's agents to negotiate well into Wednesday night. After a few hours of sleep, they resumed their talks Thursday morning and reached agreement by the afternoon. Clarett was the last pick in the third round of the draft. The contract was negotiated by Steve Feldman, Josh Luchs and Clarett's attorney and advisor, David Kenner. "This deal struck gives Maurice the opportunity to be paid like the first-round draft choice he was born to be," Feldman said. Specifics of the contract are sketchy, but it works something like this. If Clarett gains 1,000 yards, he could hit an escalator worth more than $1 million, almost three times what he would have made in a signing bonus given to him by the Broncos. The more he rushes for, the more he makes. He can max out at around $7 million. This was Clarett's gamble. He has the confidence he can gain the yards and hit the $7 million figure. Rollovers give him a chance to make the big bumps in salary if he doesn't do it as a rookie. To further show his commitment, he accepted no guarantees. The $410,000 the Broncos were willing to give him Thursday was put into workout bonuses in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Clarett wants to prove he's a first-round talent. If he runs like a first-rounder, he could be paid like a first-rounder instead of a third-rounder. link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glabra Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 With his injury history and the team he plays for, that's a big risk. Not to say he can't do it, because he certainly has the talent. In any event, this makes for an even more intriguing RBBC situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegFuJohnson Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 Even more reason for Shanny to not play him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikesVikes Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 I wonder if Clarett looks better in a weddin dress than Ricky? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Weasel Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 Would Clarett have been ignorant enough to sign a contract like that without it having a clause about playing time? If his contract doesn't stipulate playing time, maybe he signed it just to show Shanny how committed he will be, in the hopes that he will get playing time. Anyone know if there is a clause? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polksalet Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 What an idiot, he and bell will be getting Dayne's scraps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budlitebrad Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 Talk about having a chip on your shoulder... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedroz13 Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 Even more reason for Shanny to not play him. 900094[/snapback] I'm sorry, but do you honestly think Shanahan gives a sh** about how much Clarett makes in the next few years? He drafted him in the 3rd round for a reason, he saw something in him and took a gamble. Shanahan wants to win a playoff game so he can get the Elway chip off his shoulder, if that means giving the rock to Clarett 30 times a game (not likely..I know), he'll do it. He plays the RB who is playing at their best, regardless of money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whipdancer Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 I think it's great. He's stepping up and saying if I don't perform, you don't have to pay me. That's something no other player in the NFL seems to be willing to do. Definitely improves my opinion of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goopster24 Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 I think it's great. He's stepping up and saying if I don't perform, you don't have to pay me. That's something no other player in the NFL seems to be willing to do. Definitely improves my opinion of him. 900250[/snapback] Yea I agree with this too. This is something you def don't see everyday in the NFL or in any sport for a matter of fact. I think Clarett could flourish in the NFL. He might not have the speed people look for in the NFL but he is tough as nails and always fights for that extra yard. He knows how to play football and if used properly, he could do very well his first season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 They wouldnt spend a third rounder on him to just stay on the bench. Mo will be starting mid way through the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 They wouldnt spend a third rounder on him to just stay on the bench.Mo will be starting mid way through the season. 900402[/snapback] How do you explain spending a pretty high second rounder the year before on Tatum Bell then? Would seem to me that Bell, at least, gets the first shot...and possibly an extended first shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 How do you explain spending a pretty high second rounder the year before on Tatum Bell then? Would seem to me that Bell, at least, gets the first shot...and possibly an extended first shot. 900407[/snapback] You hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 You hope. 900429[/snapback] Yes I do! PS - This was a very good move by Clarett, btw... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 Yes I do! 900433[/snapback] So do i. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goopster24 Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 I think Clarett is a better NFL RB than Bell. I agree with the notion that by the end of the season it'll be Clarett behind Plummer. Bell will be given a shot but so will Clarett and he will flourish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAUgrad Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 I think Clarett is a better NFL RB than Bell. I agree with the notion that by the end of the season it'll be Clarett behind Plummer. Bell will be given a shot but so will Clarett and he will flourish. 900438[/snapback] Clarett will rarely see action this year. Bell is much faster and very strong. Clarett will remind folks of R. Droughns last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stimer Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 If you remember last year, Bell held out from camp and sort of gloated about it ... maybe he and shenanigans have made up since then, but mo is definitely starting off on the right foot for once. I have a feeling he will see some action this year, but then again a couple of the Denver RB's will see action. Just to keep opposing D-coordinators on their feet. That is why he is called shenanigans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAUgrad Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 If you remember last year, Bell held out from camp and sort of gloated about it ... maybe he and shenanigans have made up since then, but mo is definitely starting off on the right foot for once. I have a feeling he will see some action this year, but then again a couple of the Denver RB's will see action. Just to keep opposing D-coordinators on their feet. That is why he is called shenanigans. 900828[/snapback] Didn't remember him holding out, I just remember him getting hurt. Shanny has never and will never use a RBBC to keep D-coordinators on their feet. Unless there is an injury, the starting RB gets almost all the carries throughout the entire season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 good move by clarett and the broncos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stimer Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 Didn't remember him holding out, I just remember him getting hurt. Shanny has never and will never use a RBBC to keep D-coordinators on their feet. Unless there is an injury, the starting RB gets almost all the carries throughout the entire season. 900832[/snapback] Almost certain he held out and then said something about being the first to hold out with shanny. As far as the RBBC, I was saying there will be more than one starting RB throughout the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
major-tom Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 With his injury history and the team he plays for, that's a big risk. Not to say he can't do it, because he certainly has the talent. 900075[/snapback] I agree...I think Clarett is making a big gamble here. Everyone talks about Bell's history of injuries(with good reason) but wasn't Clarett getting hurt quite a bit in his brief college career? If he couldn't take the pounding then who knows if he'll hold up in the NFL. Why not take the guaranteed money, and then if get your shot and kick ass the big contract will be there anyway? It just seems stupid with his history both on and off the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pancake Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 I think Claretts decision about this contract is good. Even if Clarett only runs the balls minimally this year and shows flashes of greatness that puts him at a premium, his contract makes him very affordable (not a big salary cap hit) to other teams who might want to trade for him. Clarett is basically taking the stance that he ackknowledges that he has to earn his respect and pay...I think this is part of the damage control from the past couple of years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turf Smurf Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 Clarett will rarely see action this year. Bell is much faster and very strong. Clarett will remind folks of R. Droughns last year. 900787[/snapback] I completely agree and don't forget about what a healthy Mike Anderson can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted July 29, 2005 Share Posted July 29, 2005 How do you explain spending a pretty high second rounder the year before on Tatum Bell then? Would seem to me that Bell, at least, gets the first shot...and possibly an extended first shot. 900407[/snapback] I think Shanny thought he was getting something else when he drafted Bell. I think last years hold out, and injuries scared Shanny... No reason as to why he would draft a runningback on the first day on consecutive drafts... If he expected Bell to be his guy, Mo wouldnt have been worth the pick... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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