how can Smith sign for 6 years??

[tro]

I don't post very often but I read the board about everyday. I have looked at a lot of boards over the years and this is by far my favorite. So thanks for keeping me up with what is going on with the boys. My question if anyone could please answer is about the six year deal for Alex Smith. I thought, with the collective bargaining agreement about to run out, they could only sign players to max 5 year deals. Because this is one year pat the current aggreement. SO how did they do a six year deal for ALex.That is why they had to get creative making the contracts this year.

 

[jksmith269]

There is no max on the length of the deal....People where getting confused because only the Signing Bonus can only be prorated for 5 years due to the CBA expiring and bonuses can only be prorated for 3 years past the last capped year which will be 06. So you can sign a 8 yr contract but your Signing bonus could only be prorated 5 next year if no new CBA is reached you could only prorate the SB for 4 yrs.

 

[tro]

oh, ok thanks for the help.

 

[ravidubey]

So basically Smith will eat up a larger portion of the rookie cap until the new CBA is signed at which point the proration can include the sixth year.

 

[jksmith269]

So basically Smith will eat up a larger portion of the rookie cap until the new CBA is signed at which point the proration can include the sixth year.

NO once the contract is signed and the SB is scheduled over 5 years its done. and will stay prorated over 5.

Now the Pats took Brady and paid him a SB and guarnteed him a Roster Bonus of like 9 mil next season. The reason why is when the new CBA is completed this year they will change that roster bonus to a signing bonus second teir and prorate it over the remainder of his contract.

Smart move by the Pats and I wouldn't be surprised if some of Smiths money is done like that next year.

Remember only Signing bonuses are prorated all other bonuses count against the cap in the year they are paid