Zuttah's contract details

[baybuc35]

Breaking down Zuttah's contract
March, 8, 2012
MAR 8
11:23
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By Pat Yasinskas
I just got a look at the contract details of the deal Tampa Bay offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah signed earlier this week.

It may not be the typical NFL deal, but it’s typical for the Buccaneers in that Zuttah did not receive a signing bonus. That’s been a common practice for the Buccaneers in recent years, but it doesn’t mean they’re short changing players.

Instead, they’re making up for it in other ways. Zuttah’s four-year deal is loaded with guaranteed money in the first two years and has incentives and bonuses that could earn him a lot more money in the final two years.

Zuttah’s $3.375 million base salary for 2012 is guaranteed. He also is pretty much guaranteed to receive a $500,000 roster bonus on the third day of the league year because the Bucs wouldn’t have signed him to a deal just to turn around and cut him in the first two days of the league year. Zuttah’s cap figure for this year is $3.875 million.

In 2013, Zuttah’s $3.675 million base salary also is guaranteed. He also will receive another $500,000 roster bonus. Zuttah can earn another $500,000 if he makes the Pro Bowl and meets certain playing-time requirements. Zuttah’s 2013 cap figure is $4.125 million.

In 2014, Zuttah is scheduled to make $4 million and that’s not guaranteed. But Zuttah can make another $750,000 if he makes the Pro Bowl and meets playing-time requirements. In 2014, Zuttah’s salary jumps to $4.25 million and he can make up to an additional $1 million if he makes the Pro Bowl and meets playing-time requirements.


Do you guys think not giving signing bonus out will hurt our chance of bring FA in?

[Booker Reese]

Some guys yes, some no. And my guess is the Bucs offers will depend on who the guys are.

People need to understand that while signing bonuses are extremely attractive to a player, smart lawyers with any kind of experience know how to calculate the present value of a contract, so that the value of a contract structured with guarantees = to a contract with a signing bonus.

[sunrisejeff]

Seems like a fair deal to me.  Good amount of guaranteed money and reasonable incentives.  Didn't expect them to give him a large signing bonus because there wasn't a need to "lure" him to the team with upfront money.  Guaranteed $ is just as good imo.

[baybuc35]

And that's where Dallas and skins will get us

[VinBucFan]

Some guys yes, some no. And my guess is the Bucs offers will depend on who the guys are.

People need to understand that while signing bonuses are extremely attractive to a player, smart lawyers with any kind of experience know how to calculate the present value of a contract, so that the value of a contract structured with guarantees = to a contract with a signing bonus.

Agree

[BucDaFackUp]

I believe the importance increases with the higher profile players since other teams will no doubt be offering large signing bonuses and front-loaded deals....we should know more starting next week.

Can't wait!! [/David Harris voice]

[3rd String Kicker]

I like the numbers, not a bad contract.

[alldaway]

Signing bonus is upfront money that is guaranteed as well, but it is prorated over the life of the contract for convenience.  Furthermore, many teams also have roster bonus in addition to a signing bonus, so the Bucs current approach is too timid and conservative.

McKay:  Medium sized signing bonuses, large roster bonuses
Allen: Small sized signing bonuses, medium sized roster bonuses, variable incentives
Dominik: No signing bonuses, front loaded large roster bonuses

Dominik's approach is the most unorthodox, and very uninviting for prospective free agents.  Bucs need to take more caclulated risks or else they will be the guy that ends up leaving the party without a woman on prom night.