Read 'Em and Weep: 2016 Top 20 UFAs

[pbmax]

Peppers wasn't exactly a bargain. Like Woodson, he got Top 5 or 10 pay, just on team friendly terms. One big payout early then the rest was yearly salary and yearly bonuses.

Not a fake big deal either, because an amount over the average was handed over early in the deal.

[Pugger]

If Buffalo cuts Williams does his new team have to honor that contract? If so Ted won't even bother calling.

[Joemailman]

If Buffalo cuts Williams does his new team have to honor that contract? If so Ted won't even bother calling.

No. It would be just like with Peppers. A team would have to negotiate a new contract.

[Pugger]

No. It would be just like with Peppers. A team would have to negotiate a new contract.

Okay, I couldn't remember...

[mraynrand]

Peppers wasn't exactly a bargain. Like Woodson, he got Top 5 or 10 pay, just on team friendly terms. One big payout early then the rest was yearly salary and yearly bonuses.

Not a fake big deal either, because an amount over the average was handed over early in the deal.

But it wasn't break the bank territory, especially in Peppers case based on what he was due to make (sure he wasn't going to get any one to pay him as much as Chicago was on the hook for), but I guess I'm suggesting that he and Wood were bargains compared to others (and I'm trying to think of an example ... )

[Cheesehead Craig]

Okay, I couldn't remember...

Yep, that's the NBA that does the stupid contracts. I think MLB too.

[pbmax]

But it wasn't break the bank territory, especially in Peppers case based on what he was due to make (sure he wasn't going to get any one to pay him as much as Chicago was on the hook for), but I guess I'm suggesting that he and Wood were bargains compared to others (and I'm trying to think of an example ... )

Agreed, if you compare to the top FAs of their class.

But Woodson got a LOT in his deal. I remember being surprised at the amount even then. Someone asked Ted why that amount (only other bidder wanted a safety) and his response was that he was told it would take that amount to get his signature.

Peppers got the previous going rate. Not the new, increasing one for FAs and deals with a ton of bells and whistles, front loaded guarantees and fictional amounts in out years.

[Patler]

The surprising part of Woodson's contract was how much he got in the first year (around $10M). Overall, the contract was not all that expensive. It was loaded with incentives, roster bonuses, etc., so was a "pay as you go" deal with little impact on future years. Even the large first year income was salary, not signing bonus as I recall, so if he came in and flopped, future repercussions were minimal. In other words, a typical Packer contract that was easy for the team to manage under the salary cap.

[pbmax]

The surprising part of Woodson's contract was how much he got in the first year (around $10M). Overall, the contract was not all that expensive. It was loaded with incentives, roster bonuses, etc., so was a "pay as you go" deal with little impact on future years. Even the large first year income was salary, not signing bonus as I recall, so if he came in and flopped, future repercussions were minimal. In other words, a typical Packer contract that was easy for the team to manage under the salary cap.

I agree. The leverage the Packers won while paying somewhere near the going rate was near total team protection after year 1.