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When Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger got his new deal, some reports mentioned that he was the latest member of the club of quarterbacks with $100 million contracts.
One guy who has never had a $100 million contract is Pats quarterback Tom Brady. Given his performance in 2007, he undoubtedly should.
So how underpaid is he? In 2008, he’ll make $8 million, via a $3 million roster bonus and a $5 million base salary. In 2009, he’ll make another $8 million. In 2010, his total compensation drops to $6.5 million.
He’s carrying a $14 million cap number in 2008 because of the proration of his $26.5 million in bonus money, and due to a 2007 renegotiation that created cap room for the addition of receiver Randy Moss by dropping Brady’s base salary from $6 million down to $720,000.
By all appearances, Brady hasn’t asked for a raise. In our view, the team should raise the issue before Brady ever does. Though he’s making great money, he’s getting far less than he could or should.
March 18th, 2008 at 9:41 am
“Maybe Brady has never asked for a raise because he knows he doesn’t deserve one. If he ever had to leave New England and their excellent offensive game plan, he would be exposed for the weak armed, over rated quarterback he truly is. My opinion is he will take whatever salary he is given as he continues to dink and dunk his way into the Hall of Fame.”
How do you argue for your first statement? It is nonsensical of you to think Brady doesn’t deserve what he is being paid. I refuse to argue with you further; we’re beyond reason. I’ve come across many people who hate the Patriots, mainly because they keep winning, but it is a rarity that I come across someone who thinks Tom Brady is “weak armed” and “over rated”. I simply do not believe you honestly think Brady isn’t as good as he is; I feel you just need to deny his greatness.
Also, you can have great pocket presence, and still get sacked, if your offensive line plays like a bunch of 8 man North Dakota high school freshman.
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March 18th, 2008 at 10:16 am
I didn’t know that a plethora of 5 yard passes constitutes a highlight reel. You tell me that I’m not open minded, that must make you the kettle. All I’m saying is watch his games, really watch them. The majority of the balls that leave his hand travel 5 to 10 yards. As for the pocket presence, see above comments.
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March 18th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Not being a Patriots fan, I understand the point jhitchins1 is making but think he’s missing something. Great players can make systems look better than they actually are and I feel Brady’s a great example of this. Since we’ve seen him throw deep bombs over half the length of a football field, the arm strength argument is flawed in my opinion, now that he actually has a legitamte deep threat at WR.
But more important than that is the ability to make everyone around him better. He’s always made his line better with his ability to move in the pocket. He’s always made his WR’s better by consistanly throwing an accurate & catchable ball. He’s always made his RB’s better by forcing D coordinators to respect the passing game. And he’s always made the system better by finding the open reciever and remaining poised under tremendous pressure, many times having to make a game-deciding drive as time was running out.
I think that jhitchins1 is right about wins many times being misleading, but that depends on whether the W was BECAUSE OF this player or IN SPITE OF this player. In my opinion, the Patriots would never have won as much as they did if Delhomme or Garcia were under center.
Hell, I remember when everyone used to say the same things about Montana: no arm strength, only throws short passes & WR’s do all the work, only wins because of genius coach, great receiver makes him look better than he is. But now biased people accept him for the great player he was, and after he retires people will do the same with Brady.
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March 18th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Seriously, SeanMartin, are you just a fan, or is there something else going on here? “Deny his greatness”? Sounds like you worship the man rather than cheer for him. Anyways, I never said he doesn’t deserve a paycheck, just not a bigger one. And for arm strength, I’m refering more to velocity than distance. Almost any pro (or even college) QB can throw a ball 50 yards, just not accurately and with proper speed. Brady never had until this year, with Moss being able to mask the underthrows and lame ducks.
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March 18th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
jhitchins1,
You have got to be kidding me? You think Manning(either one) is better than Brady? Weak armed and overrated? Just say no to drugs will be contacting you shortly. You are out of your mind. So if Super Bowl rings aren’t justification for greatness then what is? Regular season awards that even Marino said he would trade in for 1 Super Bowl ring must explain how ludicrous your statements are.
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March 18th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
I know, how dare I insult the “Golden Boy”. Honestly, you Pats fans need to settle down a little. It’s clear to anyone and everyone, outside of the Boston area of course, that Manning is the better player. Seriously, is there a 24/7 Tony Kornheiser network up there filling your heads with these crazy thoughts that Brady is actually better? And again with the Super Bowl thing. Yes, of course Marino wanted one, what player doesn’t? But according to all of you, Terry Bradshaw must be the best QB ever because he has 4 rings. So just settle down girls, it’s gonna be OK.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)