Megatron signs 7-year, $130 million extension with Lions

[SteelMember]

Lions seal up star WR Johnson with seven-year extension

The Detroit Lions have locked up their biggest star, signing receiver Calvin Johnson to a seven-year contract extension worth almost $130 million, according to the team's official website (http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Johnson-signs-seven-year-contract/23aed8be-0e65-4551-859f-0a31187b15d8).

The deal makes Johnson -- who scorched the NFL with 96 catches for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2011 -- the highest-paid wideout in league history, surpassing the eight-year, $120 million contract Larry Fitzgerald signed with the Arizona Cardinals before last season.

The extension keeps Johnson in Detroit through 2019, and reduces his $22 million cap number for the 2012 season, giving the team some wiggle room to add talent through free agency.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82797e12/article/lions-seal-up-star-wr-johnson-with-sevenyear-extension

Wow... That's some payday.

[polamalubeast]

OMG!

[polamalubeast]

Technically, Calvin's deal is a new 8-year contract starting in 2012 and going through 2019
So 8 year 132 million 16.5/year

[suitanim]

I was joking about Al Davis signing WR's for 20 million a year, thinking that it was an exagerated enough number to make a point.

I was wrong.

There's a chart online somewhere that uses metrics to determine the relative weight of positions in the NFL relative to winning, and WR's were way down the list. That's simply too much money to pay for that position, regardless of how good the player.

[The Duke]

wtf? He's good but those a ridiculous numbers!

Guess it does help the lions with their cap room though....

[fansince'76]

Did they rehire Millen or something?

[polamalubeast]

I think it's the right decision from the lions.

Calvin Johnson may be one of the most dominant players in NFL history.....Johnson is completely a monster on the field.

[suitanim]

But he's only a WR. One of between 2 and 5 on the field at any given time. There are 53 players on an active roster. he's eating up a whopping 1/7th of their salary cap.

[tube517]

Does Stafford have a long term contract? I have no idea of his contract status

[polamalubeast]

But he's only a WR. One of between 2 and 5 on the field at any given time. There are 53 players on an active roster. he's eating up a whopping 1/7th of their salary cap.

But the difference is that Calvin Johnson is a super star.In 2011, he had a very good QB for the first time in his career and he dominated.With the exception of QB, Calvin Johnson was the mvp in the nfl in 2011.

When you have a super star on your team, you have to keep

[polamalubeast]

Does Stafford have a long term contract? I have no idea of his contract status

They remain three years in his contract

[86WARD]

Well deserved. He's a beast and deserves to be paid like it!

[fansince'76]

When you have a super star on your team, you have to keep

Not at the expense of most of the rest of the positions on the team. There's a reason the Lions haven't sniffed a championship in over half a century.

[tube517]

Not at the expense of most of the rest of the positions on the team. There's a reason the Lions haven't sniffed a championship in over half a century.

Then they have Suh and Stafford to worry about in a couple of years.

[suitanim]

The Lions have two years to win it all. And that ain't gonna happen.

Overpaying for players will wind you up in the same shape as the Redskins. it's too bad...I like the Lions and were hoping they'd get to a Super Bowl before the Browns.

[polamalubeast]

Not at the expense of most of the rest of the positions on the team. There's a reason the Lions haven't sniffed a championship in over half a century.

no...Calvins cap hit went from $22M to $12M saving the Lions $10M in capspace.

And also, lions are not far from being a super bowl contender. I'm very confident about their future and Johnson has the potential to become one of the most dominant players in the history of the nfl.

[polamalubeast]

The Lions have two years to win it all. And that ain't gonna happen.

Overpaying for players will wind you up in the same shape as the Redskins. it's too bad...I like the Lions and were hoping they'd get to a Super Bowl before the Browns.

Calvin Johnson is not overpaying....and with the upcoming new TV contracts much of that will be negated by the increasing salary cap...

[fansince'76]

Then they have Suh and Stafford to worry about in a couple of years.

And Fairley, assuming he pans out.

[fansince'76]

no...Calvins cap hit went from $22M to $12M saving the Lions $10M in capspace.

And also, lions are not far from being a super bowl contender. I'm very confident about their future and Johnson has the potential to become one of the most dominant players in the history of the nfl.

Well, the Lions are gambling in the long term that the cap is gonna go WAY up when the new TV contracts kick in, and it just may. We'll see.

[steelreserve]

Is Calvin Johnson a franchise QB? Because that's what he's getting paid like. I mean - wow. Not even Al Davis' Nnamdi contract was this outrageous.

Sounds like the Lions are banking on the fact that either the cap goes way up, or this is a fake contract that will come down in about 3 years.

[SteelMember]

Technically, Calvin's deal is a new 8-year contract starting in 2012 and going through 2019
So 8 year 132 million 16.5/year

I agree that CJ is a great player, but that's more money than almost every QB... and they touch the ball every offensive play.

[fansince'76]

I agree that CJ is a great player, but that's more money than almost every QB... and they touch the ball every offensive play.

Yep. This makes Ben's contract look like a bargain. I can only imagine how much Brees will command now.

[polamalubeast]

Calvin:8 year 132 million 16.5/year
Fitzgerald:8 year 120 million 15.0/year

[fansince'76]

Calvin:8 year 132 million 16.5/year
Fitzgerald:8 year 120 million 15.0/year

And the Cards are currently almost $20 million over the cap. Of course, they also massively overpaid for Kolb...

[suitanim]

The Cards probably aren't going anywhere either, then. I didn't realize they overpaid that badly for Fitz. You load up deals like that and you need to start winning ASAP before the chickens come home to roost.

[Austin87]

Calvin Johnson is a great player, but that is just too much to pay for a WR. The Lions have a lot of pieces in place to be a contender for the next 5-10 years. The problem is that they probably won't be able to keep their team together.

[SteelMember]

Just for perspective...

NFL's Richest Players

1. (tie) Tom Brady: $18M average salary (2010)
1. (tie) Peyton Manning: $18M (2011)
3. Julius Peppers: $16.7M (2009)
4. (tied) Calvin Johnson: $16.25M (2012)
4. (tied) Eli Manning: $16.25M (2009)
6. Carson Palmer: $16.17M (2005)
7. Larry Fitzgerald: $16.14M (2011)
8. (tied) Michael Vick: $16M (2011)
8. (tied) Brett Favre: $16M (2010)
10. Philip Rivers: $15.3M (2009)
11. Richard Seymour: $15M (2011)
12. Donovan McNabb: $14.85M (2010)
13. Jay Cutler: $14.67M (2009)
14. Ben Roethlisberger: $14.66 (2008)
15. Nnamdi Asomugha: $14.3M (2009)
16. Adrian Peterson: $14.2M (2011)
17. (tie) Julius Peppers: $14M (2010)
17. (tie) Peyton Manning: $14M (2004)
19. Chris Johnson: $13.494M (2011)
20. Mark Sanchez: $13.491M (2012)
21. Sam Bradford: $13M (2010)
21. (tied) DeMarcus Ware: $13M (2009)
23. Richard Seymour: $12.975M (2010)
24. Charles Johnson: $12.67M (2011)
25. Aaron Rodgers: $12.7M (2008)


NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/09000d5d827918e0/nfls-richest-players?module=HP11_headline_stack#photo=1)

[tube517]

Just for perspective...

NFL's Richest Players

1. (tie) Tom Brady: $18M average salary (2010)
1. (tie) Peyton Manning: $18M (2011)
3. Julius Peppers: $16.7M (2009)
4. (tied) Calvin Johnson: $16.25M (2012)
4. (tied) Eli Manning: $16.25M (2009)
6. Carson Palmer: $16.17M (2005)
7. Larry Fitzgerald: $16.14M (2011)
8. (tied) Michael Vick: $16M (2011)
8. (tied) Brett Favre: $16M (2010)
10. Philip Rivers: $15.3M (2009)
11. Richard Seymour: $15M (2011)
12. Donovan McNabb: $14.85M (2010)
13. Jay Cutler: $14.67M (2009)
14. Ben Roethlisberger: $14.66 (2008)
15. Nnamdi Asomugha: $14.3M (2009)
16. Adrian Peterson: $14.2M (2011)
17. (tie) Julius Peppers: $14M (2010)
17. (tie) Peyton Manning: $14M (2004)
19. Chris Johnson: $13.494M (2011)
20. Mark Sanchez: $13.491M (2012)
21. Sam Bradford: $13M (2010)
21. (tied) DeMarcus Ware: $13M (2009)
23. Richard Seymour: $12.975M (2010)
24. Charles Johnson: $12.67M (2011)
25. Aaron Rodgers: $12.7M (2008)


NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/09000d5d827918e0/nfls-richest-players?module=HP11_headline_stack#photo=1)

Flaccid is top 3, Ozzie. Pay the unibrow. :chuckle:

[polamalubeast]

it would be a joke if Flacco becomes more paying than Roethlisberger

[Chidi29]

And that guaranteed figure probably isn't that far-fetched. Usually it gets pretty overinflated by the agent, but in Fitz's $50 million in guarantees, about 44 million of that are in signing, roster, or option bonuses within the first four years so he'll likely get all that money. So Johnson is pretty much guaranteed 50 million.

And hey, they weren't going to get him for less than Fitz. Each guy is looking to top the next and won't settle for less. So it comes down to giving him that type of contract or letting him walk and if you're the Lions, the last thing you're doing is having him sniff free agency.

[polamalubeast]

Is Calvin Johnson a franchise QB? Because that's what he's getting paid like. I mean - wow. Not even Al Davis' Nnamdi contract was this outrageous.

Sounds like the Lions are banking on the fact that either the cap goes way up, or this is a fake contract that will come down in about 3 years.

Franchise QB...no.....Franchise player...Yes

[steelerdude15]

Wish i could make that much.

[polamalubeast]

Matthew Stafford/Ndamukong Suh did some restructuring a while back, and that will inflate their final year cap figures ...

https://twitter.com/#!/AlbertBreer

[steeldevil]

Yeah... Pretty crazy. He is the best WR in the league in my book, but like everyone has said, thats a whole lot of money for a position that does not have the same impact on the game.

Even with the best WR in the league, you can't just throw it to him every play...

[Nadroj 20]

I think he deserves it. He isn't like a lot of good WR who are also ball demanding drama queens. Hes been an ideal professional his whole career.

Good for him!

[polamalubeast]

Suh's 2014 figure goes from $15.1M to $17.57M, Stafford's 2014 figure goes from $16.6M to $19.3M. That matters, from leverage standpoint

https://twitter.com/#!/AlbertBreer

[steelreserve]

Suh's 2014 figure goes from $15.1M to $17.57M, Stafford's 2014 figure goes from $16.6M to $19.3M. That matters, from leverage standpoint

https://twitter.com/#!/AlbertBreer

Wow ... that's half your salary cap tied up with three guys. The Lions are gonna suck BAD unless they do something about that.

As for Johnson ... far as I know, the franchise tag for a WR was about $9M this year. And if you do back-to-back franchise tags, you have to give a 20% raise. So it would have been far cheaper to just use the franchise tag on him 5 years in a row and pay the average of the top 5, instead of blowing away the top-1 number for each of the next 5 years.

[suitanim]

That's half the Lions payroll for 3 out of 53 players.

That's a fail.

[polamalubeast]

Wow ... that's half your salary cap tied up with three guys. The Lions are gonna suck BAD unless they do something about that.

.

The lions will surely do the same with Suh and Stafford, what they have done with Megatron.

The cap hit of Johnson was 22 million before his contract. Now its cap hit is 12 million.....

[polamalubeast]

As for Johnson ... far as I know, the franchise tag for a WR was about $9M this year. And if you do back-to-back franchise tags, you have to give a 20% raise. So it would have been far cheaper to just use the franchise tag on him 5 years in a row and pay the average of the top 5, instead of blowing away the top-1 number for each of the next 5 years.

no

They probably can't use the franchise tag either because it's 120% of his 2012 salary cap figure which equals $25.2 million for 2013.

http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2012/3/12/2864616/the-lions-restructure-contracts-for-salary-cap-relief

[lilyoder6]

Even with the best WR in the league, you can't just throw it to him every play...

i would disagree.. megatron is so digustly good.. that u could throw the ball to him evry play.. he can catch anything he can gets his hands on pretty much... the man gets double a good bit, and still seems to be open a lot.. he is the reason why they won most of their games this yr

[polamalubeast]

Why Calvin Johnson is Worth Every Cent of Monster Contract

For Lions' fans and Johnson's sake, it was nice to see a healthy Stafford under center last fall. And, because Johnson finally had Detroit's franchise signal-caller at the helm, he earned a second consecutive Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection.


On the year, Megatron recorded 1,681 yards on 96 receptions and crossed the goal-line 16 times. Johnson also averaged 17.5 yards per catch, which gave his career-highs across the stat board.

Turning 27 years old during the beginning weeks of the 2012 season, Calvin Johnson is on pace to break every Lions receiving record held by the great Herman Moore. When he retired, Moore was the best receiver to ever play in Detroit and he's easily one of the most underrated players of his era.

That said, Johnson is taking all of Moore's single game, season and career accomplishments to another level of uncharted territory.

His ability to beat double-coverage on a consistent basis, burn anyone when singled-up and splitting zones all over the field, Megatron is almost impossible to completely isolate.

Johnson's combination of size, speed, agility, quickness, body control and acceleration (or any other tangible superlative you want to put here) is unmatched for his position, and is a rarity in pro football history.

This is why he's worth every cent of that super-colossal contract.


read more

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1104541-why-calvin-johnson-is-worth-every-cent-of-monster-contract

[fansince'76]

When he retired, Moore was the best receiver to ever play in Detroit and he's easily one of the most underrated players of his era.

And that's because the Lions at the time were an at-best mediocre club consisting of Moore, Barry Sanders, and basically a bunch of scrubs everywhere else. Seems like the Lions are in danger of heading down that same road now with monster contracts at a couple of positions eating up a sizable percentage of their cap.

[ALLD]

It is a double-edged sword if the team salaries are not managed properly. If they did not re-sign him, it would look bad for the Lions and make it more difficult/expensive to attract other talent especially because Johnson has so much credibility. However, to tie up that much percentage-wise, is not very wise. Hopefully the cap will expand to where it will not have as great of an impact in the future.

[polamalubeast]

I think the lions will be a very good team for several years because I believe that the lions have a very high caliber young QB in my opinion.

The lions could not lose one of their franchise player.

[polamalubeast]

A few more details on Calvin Johnson‘s new eight-year contract with the Lions:

As great as Megatron is, when you’ve got one guy counting over $20 million against the cap (which stays at a $120 million this season), you’ve got to make some moves.

Detroit couldn’t extend Johnson’s prior deal, because there were no years left in the contract to push anything into. They had to do seven years on top of the one-year pact that’s already there, so eight years in total.

The seven new years are worth just under $114 million — $53 million of that guaranteed. It’s a complicated structure. Johnson can void out some years at the end of the contract, but the Lions, if they still want him around and he’s still productive, can buy those years back for $3.5 million a year.

He’s going to be making just under $17 million a year, which puts him up in Larry Fitzgerald territory, which is frankly where he belongs.


http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/03/14/breaking-down-megatrons-new-deal/?module=HP11_content_stream

[steelreserve]

no

They probably can't use the franchise tag either because it's 120% of his 2012 salary cap figure which equals $25.2 million for 2013.

http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2012/3/12/2864616/the-lions-restructure-contracts-for-salary-cap-relief

From what I can gather, the franchise tag goes by base salary, not cap number. But upon further investigation, Johnson was already going to be making $14 million IN BASE SALARY next year, which I went "holy shit!" when I saw. So .. yeah, I guess the franchise tag really wouldn't solve anything.

Most of the time you don't even see that kind of thing come into play with the franchise tag, because most of the time when players have a balloon year at the end of their contract like that, they never see it; it gets renegotiated to a more cap-friendly long-term deal well before they get to it. Johnson just had such a great year there was really no choice. But Detroit looks to be in salary cap hell for the next several years. I would bet Suh is the most likely target for saving money, given the fact that his options for landing a big megadeal elsewhere are somewhat dampened because of his reputation as a hothead. Still, though ... wow.

[86WARD]

First of all, he's the best receiver in the league and should be paod like it. The money is well deserved. He's more of a game changer than some of the "franchise QBs" in this league. Secondly, these guys rarely see the money on the back end of these contracts so it's most likely not as much as it sounds...

[BigNastyDefense]

While that's a lot of money to pay a wide receiver, if any in the NFL deserves that huge payday, it's him. He's a complete game changer, and he is really almost uncoverable (I think I just made up a word there).

Also, he's not your typical prima donna wide receiver like Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens, or Randy Moss. He gives 100% every play on the field, blocks down field when needed, doesn't bitch and moan about not getting the ball enough, doesn't cause trouble in the locker room or off the field. He's been a complete professional and had a chance to leave a couple years back but instead extended because he believed they could turn things around. He was on that 0-16 team. Most players of his stature would have left in free agency or try and force a trade to get the hell out of there. He didn't do that.

This guy is the go-to receiver for Stafford and the high powered Lions offense. Sixteen...yes 16 touchdown receptions. That is a lot for a receiver. He was the league leader in yards and touchdowns at his position last season, and Stafford doesn't come close to the monster season he had without Johnson.

[Chidi29]

One interesting trend I've noticed is that receivers that are cashing in big have stopped getting big signing bonuses, or any signing bonus at all. Rather, the base salaries are a bit higher and there are a ton of roster/option/workout bonuses early in the contract.

I think that's a good thing regarding Mike Wallace's situation, at least when talking about the first year. There may not be an additional charge of a signing bonus on top of his first year base salary (though still, don't see any team putting in an offer sheet).

If Wallace plays this upcoming season the way he's played it this season, you're looking at a 5 year/60-65 million deal with aruond 25 million in guarantees (though guarantees are still a bit of a vague phrase).

[GodfatherofSoul]

The difference with CJ is he's and awesome receiver AND he's got his s**t together. NO headcase antics a la TO or Moss.

[ShutDown24]

I think this is a deal that needed to get done. Johnson makes up a larger portion of that offense than I think most people even realize. Stafford and Johnson are going to be the reasons this team continues to improve. If I'm the Lions, I get as much out of Suh as possible over the next few seasons and let him walk at the end of his contract. He really struggles against the run. I think Fairley can slide into the defensive front next to Corey Williams at that point and the Lions will be just as well off. It's unfortunate that the team just happened to have so many high picks during the last remaining years of the huge rookie contracts - in a way it's not really Detriots fault that they are stuck with all of these huge deals. But that team is full of talent. Their linebackers are extremely underrated, the secondary is solid even with the loss of Eric Wright and the defensive line has depth. And on offense if a few of their young guys like Titus Young and Mikel Leshoure can put it together - they can be very good. I feel like the culture needs to change a bit though, they are acting like thugs on the field. I don't think much of Jim Schwartz and wish they had a different head coach. And Suh's antics don't help. But overall the outlook is bright in Detroit. And I think the Johnson deal was the right move to make to continue down that path.

[suitanim]

This deal would be worth it ONLY of he is directly responsable for 1/2 their yards and points. He eats up 1/7th of their cap space, and he is but one of 11 players playing but 1/3rd phase of the game (Offense, defense, special teams).

Here's the most apt statement I can make about this: The Steelers will continue to NOT EVER sign deals like this, and compete for, and win, Super Bowls.

The Lions can (and probably will) continue TO make deals like this....and remain one of only a handful of teams never to make the Super Bowl.

[polamalubeast]

Calvin Johnson is so dominant that his contract is no problem.If he has a player that could have a contract, it was Calvin Johnson.,,,We must never underestimate the Franchise player.



If the lions drafted continues to well and to improve, the lions will be a super bowl contender. Stafford is young and he will only get better, same with Calvin and Suh.

[suitanim]

Let me try this again:

Steelers ridiculously HUGE contracts where they dramaticall overpay for just one player: Zero
Steelers Super Bowl appearances: Eight
Steelers Super Bowl Championships: Six

Lions Super Bowl appearances and wins: Zero

[The Duke]

Calvin Johnson is so dominant that his contract is no problem.If he has a player that could have a contract, it was Calvin Johnson.,,,We must never underestimate the Franchise player.

If the lions drafted continues to well and to improve, the lions will be a super bowl contender. Stafford is young and he will only get better, same with Calvin and Suh.

He is dominant and deserves a raise, a big one too, but 130 million is simply ridiculous. To be honest I'm more shocked at Johnson wanting that kind of money than the lions giving it to him, he seemed more of a humble man in the past

Anyway, they still need to start drafting better. Their longtime LT Backus is near the end of the line and the only replacement they have is a likely bust in Jason Fox from two years ago. Raiola is pretty old too, and Cherilus has never been anything special. CJ is definitely more important than Stafford, but if they're not careful they won't have anyone being able to throw to CJ. And it was only with a healthy franchise QB that they got their first winning record in years

the status of their two top runningbacks is also up in the air at the moment


the secondary is solid even with the loss of Eric Wright

solid, really? Last year all I saw was teams throwing at will against them, and now they lose their #2 CB. I thought they would try and go for Carr/Finnegan, but their cap situation was really bad. That's the one thing this (still ridiculous) contract does help them at though

[Nadroj 20]

In my opinion its more about the Cards deal for Fitz. Calvins agent saw his numbers and of course thinks he can make a case that his client is better and deserves more.

This inflation is only going to continue.

[polamalubeast]

Let me try this again:

Steelers ridiculously HUGE contracts where they dramaticall overpay for just one player: Zero
Steelers Super Bowl appearances: Eight
Steelers Super Bowl Championships: Six

Lions Super Bowl appearances and wins: Zero


facepalm

The Lions have a new regime since 2009 and you know very well!This regime has nothing to do with the fact that the lions have been bad since 1957


I watched several lions game this year and I can tell you that Johnson is completely dominant.Johnson is a player who burns a double coverage and can catch a pass into triple coverage like the one against the Cowboys.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAkmxoWvHjc&feature=related

He is a unique player and I have no problem to give big contracts to the franchise player.

[suitanim]

This ridiculous wage inflation is bad for everyone but a few players and their agents.

[BigNastyDefense]

Suit, do you realize that by signing this mega deal, it brings his 2012 cap number down from $22M to somewhere in the neighborhood of $12M?

I am not saying that this is a huge contract that down the line could possibly wreck the Lions with the salary cap. I have not seen the entire makeup of the contract, but from some things I have heard a lot of that money is incentives that likely won't be reached. Also, they can always restructure the deal later on much like the Steelers did with a lot of the players on today's roster to get under the salary cap.

Do the Steelers give huge contracts to just one player? They gave the biggest contract in Steelers history to Ben Roethlisberger a few years back, a contract in the $100M range.

Now are they going to be offering Mike Wallace a contract like the one Johnson just got? Nobody is going to be offering Mike Wallace a contract like that. However, looking at some of the contracts that have gone to lesser receivers (Desean Jackson, Pierre Garcon) he's going to want more than them. Now it all comes down to the next week in a half and if anyone gives Wallace an offer sheet. If not, he comes back to Pittsburgh under the tender he was given and negotiates a long-term deal or plays one more season and hits unrestricted free agency.

I think what Wallace is looking for is fair market value. He knows he's worth more than Jackson and Garcon...but he's not in Vincent Jackson or Calvin Johnson territory so he's probably looking for a contract close to what V. Jackson got but is likely to get a bit less.

[O'Malley]

Sorry nobody deserves this much money to play a kids game!!!! Just sayin... Not even Ben.. Contracts are so far out of control... Raise the ticket price another 10%, so we can pay 100 million for a receiver... Then we'll pigeon hole teams to a 120 million$ cap so they have to get rid of key players to shitty teams so they can be compete! Free agency is ruining every profewssional sport and it's getting really old IMO.

[ShutDown24]

solid, really? Last year all I saw was teams throwing at will against them, and now they lose their #2 CB. I thought they would try and go for Carr/Finnegan, but their cap situation was really bad. That's the one thing this (still ridiculous) contract does help them at though

Spievey, Delmas and Houston are all good players. The secondary had a mediocre year last season but the depth chart isn't as bad as you would probably think.

[steelreserve]

This deal would be worth it ONLY of he is directly responsable for 1/2 their yards and points. He eats up 1/7th of their cap space, and he is but one of 11 players playing but 1/3rd phase of the game (Offense, defense, special teams).

Here's the most apt statement I can make about this: The Steelers will continue to NOT EVER sign deals like this, and compete for, and win, Super Bowls.

The Lions can (and probably will) continue TO make deals like this....and remain one of only a handful of teams never to make the Super Bowl.

Yeah, seeing the last few days of ridiculousness has made me come to the conclusion that - if it costs $11M-$15M a year to keep a good receiver, I hate to say it but we're better off without Wallace.

If we like having guys like Harrison and Woodley and Kiesel on the team, or if we ever want to improve the offensive line like EVERYONE is constantly bitching about ... then we just can't blow that kind of money on one guy who plays at what is really a somewhat marginal (and replaceable) position in the grand scheme of things. All I can say is, I hope it happens this offseason rather than next so at least we get a draft pick out of it.

Or maybe we get lucky and he agrees to a deal that's more in our range. But it seems pretty unlikely in the current climate. I swear, this is The Year of the Overpaid Receiver. I've never seen anything quite like it, but I doubt we'll follow suit just because everyone else is.

[suitanim]

Suit, do you realize that by signing this mega deal, it brings his 2012 cap number down from $22M to somewhere in the neighborhood of $12M?

I am not saying that this is a huge contract that down the line could possibly wreck the Lions with the salary cap. I have not seen the entire makeup of the contract, but from some things I have heard a lot of that money is incentives that likely won't be reached. Also, they can always restructure the deal later on much like the Steelers did with a lot of the players on today's roster to get under the salary cap.

Do the Steelers give huge contracts to just one player? They gave the biggest contract in Steelers history to Ben Roethlisberger a few years back, a contract in the $100M range.

Now are they going to be offering Mike Wallace a contract like the one Johnson just got? Nobody is going to be offering Mike Wallace a contract like that. However, looking at some of the contracts that have gone to lesser receivers (Desean Jackson, Pierre Garcon) he's going to want more than them. Now it all comes down to the next week in a half and if anyone gives Wallace an offer sheet. If not, he comes back to Pittsburgh under the tender he was given and negotiates a long-term deal or plays one more season and hits unrestricted free agency.

I think what Wallace is looking for is fair market value. He knows he's worth more than Jackson and Garcon...but he's not in Vincent Jackson or Calvin Johnson territory so he's probably looking for a contract close to what V. Jackson got but is likely to get a bit less.

I understand the numbers manipulation aspect. But the money is still the money at the end of the day, and they are now a team carrying THREE bloated contracts. You simply cannot tie up that much of your salary on three players and expect to be able to fairly compensate quality players at the other 53 spots.

[Chidi29]

I understand the numbers manipulation aspect. But the money is still the money at the end of the day, and they are now a team carrying THREE bloated contracts. You simply cannot tie up that much of your salary on three players and expect to be able to fairly compensate quality players at the other 53 spots.

The only alternative the Lions had was to let Johnson play out his contract and let him go after the end of next season. That was not going to happen and they would have probably ended up paying more money if they waited another year.

[steelreserve]

The only alternative the Lions had was to let Johnson play out his contract and let him go after the end of next season. That was not going to happen and they would have probably ended up paying more money if they waited another year.

Regardless, they have to do something with one of those three. You are not going to have a very good team when you have about $1M per guy to spend on the other 50 roster spots.

My money is that they try to get Suh's number down first, because when push comes to shove they've got other capable defenders and he's the most expendable of the three bloaties.

The other thing this really goes to show is: Man, was the new rookie salary system sorely needed. And man, did the Lions ever just have rotten luck with their timing. Having to pay almost $20M to two consecutive top-two picks just before they put the new CBA in place - almost makes me believe they're cursed. If they'd drafted Stafford and Suh under the current rules, their cap number would be more like $10M or $12M for both combined. Instead it's $40M.

[Chidi29]

Regardless, they have to do something with one of those three. You are not going to have a very good team when you have about $1M per guy to spend on the other 50 roster spots.

My money is that they try to get Suh's number down first, because when push comes to shove they've got other capable defenders and he's the most expendable of the three bloaties.

The other thing this really goes to show is: Man, was the new rookie salary system sorely needed. And man, did the Lions ever just have rotten luck with their timing. Having to pay almost $20M to two consecutive top-two picks just before they put the new CBA in place - almost makes me believe they're cursed. If they'd drafted Stafford and Suh under the current rules, their cap number would be more like $10M or $12M for both combined. Instead it's $40M.

Cap guys are really creative. Look at the job Omar Khan has done. Plus, like others have said, by the time Johnson's contract really spikes, in 2014, the salary cap will have likely shot up because of the TV revenue deals.

[suitanim]

Cap guys are really creative. Look at the job Omar Khan has done. Plus, like others have said, by the time Johnson's contract really spikes, in 2014, the salary cap will have likely shot up because of the TV revenue deals.

UNLESS it doesn't. At the rate things are going, TV ratings will start dropping. As it is now, I watch ZERO NFL and focus on college outside the Steelers. It used to be a lot different.

[Chidi29]

UNLESS it doesn't. At the rate things are going, TV ratings will start dropping. As it is now, I watch ZERO NFL and focus on college outside the Steelers. It used to be a lot different.

It's not about ratings. The contracts are already in place and will take effect in 2014. The cap will go up.

Again, the Lions had two options. Pony up that money or let Johnson walk. It would have been even more foolish to let him go.

[O'Malley]

UNLESS it doesn't. At the rate things are going, TV ratings will start dropping. As it is now, I watch ZERO NFL and focus on college outside the Steelers. It used to be a lot different.

Something we are in complete agreement!!!!! I used to watch every single NFL game and every college game... Now I watch the televised Steelers games and most college.. Although the college game is getting as ridiculous as the NFL.. They are starting to take the defense out of college ball as well.. Making a ton of money of the college players and they get a "education" in return.. Yet only 50% of them actually graduate... Contracts in the NFL are at a ridiculous level, especially with the economy the way it is.. Pretty soon people will come to their senses and stop watching all together.. Until then 100 million dollar contracts will continue to be signed and ticket prices will coninue to rise..

[steelreserve]

Cap guys are really creative. Look at the job Omar Khan has done. Plus, like others have said, by the time Johnson's contract really spikes, in 2014, the salary cap will have likely shot up because of the TV revenue deals.

Regardless of how creative they are, they were still starting out in a $30 million hole compared to teams drafting in the top five from 2011 on. If they were paying Stafford $5.5M and Suh $4.5M, the Johnson contract would be a whole lot less damaging to the team as a whole. I agree they did not have many options with Johnson other than pay him $$$$ or let him go, but they are really in a tough spot now thanks to the status quo from about 2006-2010. Sucks to be them.

[GodfatherofSoul]

Sorry nobody deserves this much money to play a kids game!!!! Just sayin... Not even Ben.. Contracts are so far out of control... Raise the ticket price another 10%, so we can pay 100 million for a receiver... Then we'll pigeon hole teams to a 120 million$ cap so they have to get rid of key players to shitty teams so they can be compete! Free agency is ruining every profewssional sport and it's getting really old IMO.

Deserves? WTF does "deserves" have to do with it? Pro sports is the closest thing to meritorious pay as there is (next to commission-based pay). These guys are getting an honest cut of a multi-billion dollar industry based on advertising and merchandising. And, they're not getting paid to play a "kid's" game. None of these guys is in your back yard tossing the ball around with your children. They're getting paid to play a sport at the highest level on the planet; so high that you sit through hours of advertisements to watch.

Next time you think they're getting paid too much to play a kid's game, calculate how much that jersey you're wearing cost times all the other fans buying jerseys.

[suitanim]

I'm calling my shot: No Super Bowl for the Lions! Five Years!
http://videogam.in/images/0000001/seinfeld___soup_nazi.jpg

[Chidi29]

I'm calling my shot: No Super Bowl for the Lions! Five Years!
http://videogam.in/images/0000001/seinfeld___soup_nazi.jpg

The curse of Bobby Layne continues...