hwc
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2004
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So, Miguel, to recap:
If you are correct and Vinatieri did not earn a dime of LBTE or NLTBE bonus money for winning Super Bowls and making Pro Bowls in 2003-04, then his total renumeration was $5.37 million -- all guaranteed.
Then, we have Olindo Mare as the only kicker who equalled, or perhaps exceeded, Vinatieri's total renumeration by earning $5.4 million over the same period of time -- a difference of $30,000. But, of course, the bulk of his money was not guaranteed.
And, of course, while Vinateire was being paid $2.5 million in the following year, Mare was forced to take a pay cut.
I rest my case. I don't think Vinatieri has even an inch of room to feel "disrespected" by the Patriots.
But, hey, if he thinks he can go out on the open market and get more money, more power to him. To date, it appears that he is not finding the pot of "respect" at the end of the rainbow. But, he's welcome to keep trying. Meanwhile, if the Pats see a deal they like, they should certainly feel welcome to move on. At this point, I don't think the team owes the player any more consideration than any other free agent dialing for dollars.
If Mare breaks lose, I'd offer him the same deal that was on the table for Vinatieri in a heartbeat. He's got a better career percentage and much stronger leg. Belichick might even try a 40+ yard field goal again if he had a kicker with a little more leg.
If you are correct and Vinatieri did not earn a dime of LBTE or NLTBE bonus money for winning Super Bowls and making Pro Bowls in 2003-04, then his total renumeration was $5.37 million -- all guaranteed.
Then, we have Olindo Mare as the only kicker who equalled, or perhaps exceeded, Vinatieri's total renumeration by earning $5.4 million over the same period of time -- a difference of $30,000. But, of course, the bulk of his money was not guaranteed.
And, of course, while Vinateire was being paid $2.5 million in the following year, Mare was forced to take a pay cut.
I rest my case. I don't think Vinatieri has even an inch of room to feel "disrespected" by the Patriots.
But, hey, if he thinks he can go out on the open market and get more money, more power to him. To date, it appears that he is not finding the pot of "respect" at the end of the rainbow. But, he's welcome to keep trying. Meanwhile, if the Pats see a deal they like, they should certainly feel welcome to move on. At this point, I don't think the team owes the player any more consideration than any other free agent dialing for dollars.
If Mare breaks lose, I'd offer him the same deal that was on the table for Vinatieri in a heartbeat. He's got a better career percentage and much stronger leg. Belichick might even try a 40+ yard field goal again if he had a kicker with a little more leg.
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