Donte Stallworth signs with the Patriots

[21JJ21]

POSTED 12:24 p.m. EDT, March 11, 2007

STALLWORTH TO PATS, BUT NOT FOR $12 MILLION GUARANTEED

Michael Smith of ESPN.com reports that receiver Donte' Stallworth has agreed to terms with the Patriots. But, contrary to the report, the deal does not include $12 million in guaranteed money. And it is not a straight six-year deal.

Instead, a league source tells us that it's a one-year deal with an option for a second year, and then an option for four more years.

In year one, Stallworth gets $1 million to sign, a workout bonus of $300,000, a base salary of $700,000, and a $1.6 million roster bonus payable if he makes the 53-man roster at the start of the reason.

Stallworth also can earn up to $400,000 in incentives. He'll get $100,000 if he catches 70 passes, another $100,000 if he catches 75 passes, another $100,000 if he catches 80 passes, and $100,000 if he is on the Pro Bowl team.

A $6 million option bonus is due shortly before the start of the 2008 league year, but after the deadline for designating franchise players. This requires the team to either pick up the option, or to allow Stallworth to hit the market unfettered by the franchise tag.

In 2008, there's also a $2 million roster bonus due on the first day of the league year, a $400,000 workout bonus, a $1 million base salary, and a $1.6 million roster bonus payable if he makes the season-opening 53-man roster.

In 2009, there's a $2 million option bonus, payable after the franchise tag deadline but before the start of the league year. If the option is exercised, the deal runs through 2012.

Also in 2009, Stallworth will receive a $400,000 workout bonus, a $1 million base salary, and a $1.6 million roster bonus based on making the season-opening 53-man roster.

In 2010 through 2012, the deal has the same terms in each year: $500,000 workout bonus and $4 million salary.

In all, it's a one-year $3.6 million deal that can be worth up to $4 million, or a two-year, $14.6 million deal that can be worth as much as $15 million, or a three-year, $19.6 million deal that can be worth as much as $20 million.

The Pats can then add on additional years at $4.5 million each, with a maximum contract value of $33.5 million.

But the only truly guaranteed money is $1 million. Not $12 million.

 

[burmafrd]

OK now it looks more sensible; but still for BB to take a chance on a druggie...

 

[Bone]

I've never understood why teams are so enthralled with Stallworth. He seems to always be injured at least 6-8 games a year. His nickname should be "Glass", because all he seems to to with proficiency is break. He is dependable in the fact that you can't really depend on him to stay healthy and on the field to help a team for very long. The Pats will rue the day they pasted their money on him. Brady would be better off developing chemistry with the scrub receivers they already have.

 

[stealth]

general consensus when stallworth was in NO that he had stone hands

 

[Dodger12]

We didn't last year?

The last quarter of the season things fell apart, as we were exposed by the Saints for all to see. I know I'm stating the obvious.

My point is that, IMO, we had some poor individual play down the stretch which was as much our demise as our "passive", bland and non agressive defense. Some make it out to be coaching and think that WP's more agressive schemes will make us into some tunover producing machine. Until Watkins, Davis, James and Williams can be more adequate in coverage, and Canty and Spears can live up to the hype, then we'll just repeat our poor end of the season performance.

 

[burmafrd]

There will be no more excuses this year if these players do not step up.

 

[theebs]

wait who is the WR you are talking about?

Supposed to be wr's as a group.

Brown, basket, smith, johnson, avant, westbrook.

They are an outstanding team. That is why you dont see them chasing free agents. They dont need to.

 

[Yeagermeister]

That's a lot of money for a player that can't stay healthy.

 

[Bleu Star]

Wow. The Pats are loading up. I guess those multiple monumental drops by Reche CaldFeldman are still haunting BB.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Boy New England isn't playing around.....

 

[Sandman52]

Does this mean that Moss is now an option for the Iggles? I wouldn't like seeing him as Stallworth's replacement. :bang2:

 

[Rampage]

man the pats are looking real good on paper right now

 

[Bob Sacamano]

desperate or not, I like each and every move the Pats have made, w/ the exception of Sammy Morris, he's a signing that makes you go meh

but they got the best player on the FA market, who will fill the role that Willie McGinnest played so well, signing Stallworth is basically re-signing David Givens, who received a big contract to sign w/ Tennessee last year, and Stallworth is more explosive than Givens, they gave up less than the Seahawks gave up for Deion Branch, for Wes Walker, who's a similar player: speedy, w/ good hands, who could excel in their system, and they signed Kyle Brady, the league's best blocking TE to help w/ the running game

shrewd, shrewd...shrewd

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Brady still has 4-5 years more before he starts slowing down; but several other key players are getting long in the tooth.

such as? their QB is young, their line is young, their starting RB is young, their WRs are young, their TEs are young, their Dline is young, their DBs are young, except for Rodney Harrison, the only Pats getting long in the tooth are Junior Seau, Teddy Bruschi, Harrison, and maybe their punter, even their K is young

 

[big dog cowboy]

Does this mean that Moss is now an option for the Iggles? I wouldn't like seeing him as Stallworth's replacement. :bang2:

Oakland looks to be keeping him. Also, no one would be willing to pay the price Al Davis would ask IF he were on the trading block.

 

[Phoenix-Talon]

Poor philly? they kicked our tails twice again last year.

You think they will be held back by the wr position? Your crazy.

Make no mistake this is their division.

That is why I believe before we can win anything, we need to win the division. Have a good divisional record and win it and then let everything else fall where it may.

If we dont find a way to beat the eagles we are still not going anywhere

You're right! The Eagles found a way last year when everyone was sayIng we don't have any credible widereceivers. I don't think we're through with that position yet.

 

[AmishCowboy]

Beagles are looking at Kevin Curtis.

 

[Aikbach]

I guess this will kill the Randy Moss rumors.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Poor philly? they kicked our tails twice again last year.

You think they will be held back by the wr position? Your crazy.

Make no mistake this is their division.

That is why I believe before we can win anything, we need to win the division. Have a good divisional record and win it and then let everything else fall where it may.

If we dont find a way to beat the eagles we are still not going anywhere

I dont agree. I dont think its their division. We folded during their win streak is all. AND.. we lost both games to them and STILL could have won the division... AND... we made the playoffs AND we were en route to maybe seeing them in the NFC title game..... the road to the SB DOES NOT go through McMomma's

 

[Crown Royal]

If their RB steps up and stays the force he showed he might be, and their WRs can do the job, then man....that is a scary scary team.

Can't wait to see them in the SB.