PFT: Bears extend Nathan Vasher

[WoodysGirl]

POSTED 4:17 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 4:37 p.m. EDT, June 25, 2007

BEARS EXTEND VASHER

On the same day that the Bears chopped defensive tackle Tank Johnson from the roster, the team signed cornerback Nathan Vasher to a five-year, $28 million extension, with $14 million in guaranteed money, according to Adam Schefter of NFL Network.

Vasher, a fourth-round pick in 2004, has been campaigning for a new deal for more than a year. He was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March 2008.

The new deal replaces the $850,000 in base salary he was scheduled to earn in 2007.

Schefter reports that the Bears plan to extend the contract of cornerback Charles Tillman, who also is slated to hit the open market in March. Tillman was a second-round pick in 2003, and is due to make a whopping $3.545 million in base salary this season.

The willingness of the Bears to pay a bunch of money to cornerbacks is unusual, given that the Tampa 2 defense places a greater emphasis on safety play. Corners in that system typically aren't required to run down the field and cover speedy wideouts. Instead, they are expected to stick their nose into the pile on running plays and handle short zones in the passing game. Indeed, the team that beat the Bears in Super Bowl XLI also uses the Tampa Two defense, and allowed both starting corners to leave via free agency.

If Tillman gets signed to a long-term deal, the franchise tag would be available next year for use a second time on linebacker Lance Briggs. If, however, Briggs reports by Week Ten, his one-year tender would cost at least $8.64 million in 2008.

 

[Vintage]

Wow. I was fully expecting one of their CBs (Vasher) not to be resigned.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

This is why I think Newman might be resigned relatively reasonably.

If I'm Jerry, I use this as a point in negotiations. You could argue that Vasher has had a better career, with the Pro Bowl and some of his good returns.

I still think Newman is a better player, and I bet Jerry does, too, but if I'm Jerry this is the comparison I make.

BTW, from the way this is worded, I guess the 14 million guaranteed isn't paid all at once, but has part of it in a roster bonus later? Maybe Adam can fill us in on the details sometime.

 

[jterrell]

This is why I think Newman might be resigned relatively reasonably.

If I'm Jerry, I use this as a point in negotiations. You could argue that Vasher has had a better career, with the Pro Bowl and some of his good returns.

I still think Newman is a better player, and I bet Jerry does, too, but if I'm Jerry this is the comparison I make.

BTW, from the way this is worded, I guess the 14 million guaranteed isn't paid all at once, but has part of it in a roster bonus later? Maybe Adam can fill us in on the details sometime.

Newman's agent will quickly point out Vasher is a zone corner who gets to sit back and run to the ball not man cover.

No matter what cmparison Jerry makes, TNew and his agent are looking at big time dollars as Newman has already noted publicly and with glee, lol.

 

[WoodysGirl]

This is why I think Newman might be resigned relatively reasonably.

If I'm Jerry, I use this as a point in negotiations. You could argue that Vasher has had a better career, with the Pro Bowl and some of his good returns.

I still think Newman is a better player, and I bet Jerry does, too, but if I'm Jerry this is the comparison I make.

BTW, from the way this is worded, I guess the 14 million guaranteed isn't paid all at once, but has part of it in a roster bonus later? Maybe Adam can fill us in on the details sometime.

Newman's already talking up Nate Clements contract. I don't even think Vasher's contract will be on his or his agent's radar.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Wow, so Charles Tillman might be available soon, interesting prospect there.

If Vasher is getting $14 million guaranteed then Newman will get a boat load!

 

[DCBoysfan]

Vasher deal does have to be taken into consideration, the only real part of the contract that matters is the guaranteed money. So Clements and Vashers contract will be used by Jerry and Tnew's agent with maybe $13-16 guaranteed

 

[Kangaroo]

I called Vasher a draft sleeper back when he was drafted

Yay I was right one out of 1000. Come on Jerry pay me thousands of dollars to watch college football; eat [SIZE=-1]Cheetos and drink beer on my couch
[/SIZE]

 

[BouncingCheese]

Overrated! Both of those corners are so overrated IMO. Brian Urlacher is one of the few people on that defense that can work in almost any system.

Not to say that you need to be able to play well wether or not you are a product of a system, but I think Vasher and Tillman are sooo overrated.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Dang, this is driving up the price for our guys.

 

[Vintage]

Dang, this is driving up the price for our guys.

No it isn't. If Newman is as elite as everyone says he is, then Vasher's contract will be irrelevant. We are talking Clements money; not Vasher's.

 

[Vintage]

The other thing I don't get is why do you want to shell out money to both Vasher AND Tillman and not get a long term deal done with Briggs.

Maybe that bridge has burned, but Briggs is better at his position than either Tillman or Vasher are. And you'd think that a Cover 2 CB would be easier to replace.......

 

[Chocolate Lab]

The other thing I don't get is why do you want to shell out money to both Vasher AND Tillman and not get a long term deal done with Briggs.

Maybe that bridge has burned, but Briggs is better at his position than either Tillman or Vasher are. And you'd think that a Cover 2 CB would be easier to replace.......

WG's post says they want to sign them both so they can use the Franchise tag on Briggs.

BTW, I don't agree that 43 weakside LBs are easier to find than corners. That's one place where you can use a top-15 draft pick and get a guy who can usually step right in and be very good. And with the way we've all read that the cover-2 can increasingly be beat by athletic TEs, I wouldn't sign cheap CBs in hopes of only keeping them in short zones all day.

 

[Vintage]

WG's post says they want to sign them both so they can use the Franchise tag on Briggs.

BTW, I don't agree that 43 weakside LBs are easier to find than corners. That's one place where you can use a top-15 draft pick and get a guy who can usually step right in and be very good. And with the way we've all read that the cover-2 can increasingly be beat by athletic TEs, I wouldn't sign cheap CBs in hopes of only keeping them in short zones all day.

Good thing I never said that weakside 43 LBers are easier to replace than CBs.

Edit: wait, what? Your first sentence of that paragraph contradicts your last sentence (or the premise of it).

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Good thing I never said that weakside 43 LBers are easier to replace than CBs.

Edit: wait, what? Your first sentence of that paragraph contradicts your last sentence (or the premise of it).

I meant to say that I don't agree that the corner is easier to replace.

 

[bobtheflob]

I like Vashar and all, but I think he's pretty much living off of that one return. That's really what it takes for a CB to be noticed. Solid play game in and game out means nothing compared to a spectacular highlight.

 

[BouncingCheese]

I like Vashar and all, but I think he's pretty much living off of that one return. That's really what it takes for a CB to be noticed. Solid play game in and game out means nothing compared to a spectacular highlight.

see: Rod Smith

 

[stilltheguru]

Vasher is not overrated. Tillman is the gargage one.