Vann McElroy Would Love
a Mulligan Right About Now
Much has been discussed on this site as well as in the mainstream media regarding the Maddox contract situation.� As Vann McElroy (Maddox' agent) stirs up the pot with recent interviews and stories in both papers, I thought I'd give my two cents (which is apparently the value of Maddox current contract in McElroy's eyes).
McElroy continues to propagate false information through the
media that Maddox is grossly underpaid, paid less than his backup, treated
unfairly, etc.� Maddox has joined the
fray with recent comments like "I'm not sure if it's ever happened before
where a starter is paid less than his backup."� Just so Maddox can be informed I can name several instances where
this has happened:� Tom Brady � Drew
Bledsoe (2001), Jon Kitna � Akili Smith (2001 � 2002), Kelly Holcombe � Tim
Couch (possibly 2003).� I'm quite
certain there are more cases but the point was Maddox' statement is false.
Here's a quick little salary synopsis: Maddox' base salary
in 2003 is $650 K with another $75 K in bonuses that he will receive.� Batch's base salary in 2003 is $530 K.� Maddox is higher.� Now if you want to add signing bonuses into the equation Maddox
received a $500 K bonus while Batch received a $470 K bonus.� Maddox is higher.� I can even understand pro-rating the signing bonuses over the
life of the contract (Maddox $500K @ 5 years, Batch $470K @ 2 years).� That gives us Maddox $725K (base) + $100K
(pro-rated signing bonus) = $825K and Batch $530K (base) + $235K (pro-rated
signing bonus) = $765K.� Once again
Maddox is higher.� So when Ed Bouchette
and the mainstream media write about Maddox being screwed and paid less than
his backup I'm not sure if they simply go to Vann McElroy for their
information, or actually do some analysis on their own.
So now let's circle back to June 2002 when the Steelers
began discussions with Vann McElroy regarding Maddox.� Maddox was 10 years removed from his last NFL start, was out of
pro football for about 6 years, and most recently played in the now-defunct XFL
league.� The Steelers took a chance on
him and he became the backup in 2001.�
During the June 2002 negotiations, the Steelers approached Maddox with
an extension and McElroy/Maddox were amenable to this provided they received
something.� That something turned out to
be a $500 K signing bonus, which I presume is significantly more than Maddox
made in either his XFL days or his non-NFL playing years.� Now as a starter Maddox wants to be paid
like one � average starting QBs earn approximately $5.4 M per year.� Well my thought to that is that
Maddox/McElroy shouldn't have made a 5-year "backup" commitment to
lock in the $500 K bonus if they felt he could be a starter.� In June 2002, McElroy should have politely
said no to the Steelers offer of an extension (and $500 K bonus).� He should have let Maddox play out the 2002
season and become an unrestricted free agent, at which point they could have
held all the leverage.� My guess is
McElroy (and Maddox) looked at the situation coming into 2002 with Stewart
coming off a Pro Bowl season, Team MVP, and remarkable durability and thought
that Maddox should take the $500 K bonus.
Essentially Maddox/McElroy took the $500 K easy money rather
than rolling the dice on a bigger payday later with less guaranteed
upfront.� It's a fine decision to make,
but one you have to live with.� As for
the negotiations going forward, Maddox is signed through 2006 at a very
favorable contract for the Steelers.�
Let's suppose Maddox' 2003 season is comparable to 2002, then I agree
with a re-negotiation of the contract.�
However, I do not advocate ripping up the contract and making Maddox a
premier paid QB.� Rather the
organization should add to his base salaries and add some incentive
clauses.� In return, Maddox should have
to add a few years to the contract � because ultimately you have to give
something to get something in a negotiation.�
That perhaps is the lesson here because in June 2002 McElroy/Maddox gave
up a potential big payday for a $500 K bonus.�
Now in Spring 2004 they will have to give a few extra years of moderate
priced salaries (by starting QB standards), to get an addition to his current
contract's base salaries.