Garica the highest paid QB in the NFL this coming year
Friday, June 13
Garcia tops Manning as highest paid for 2002-03
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By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Even with three straight Pro Bowl appearances, and statistics topped only by a few players at his position, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia still rates as one of the NFL's most anonymous stars.
But when it comes to a roll call of the league's highest-paid quarterbacks, at least over a two-year period, the four-year veteran certainly merits considerable attention. And that's because in terms of actual money that he will be paid for 2002-03, Garcia leads all NFL quarterbacks in compensation, according to league salary records obtained by ESPN.com.
Over that period, Garcia will have earned $20.4 million, about $1.4 million more than runner-up Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts. The calculations could change, and dramatically, if Manning signs a long-term contract extension. Manning and the Colts are in the early stages of negotiations and a deal does not appear imminent.
Running on empty
While it has been somewhat devalued in recent years, the 1,000-yard mark still remains the most recognizable standard for a running back. Last season, however, the leading rusher for 15 of the 32 franchises recorded fewer than 1,000 yards. Over the last 10 years, in fact, there have been 11 leading rushers for their respective teams who didn't even post a half-1,000-yard season. Here is a look at the players, since 1993, who led their teams in rushing despite running for fewer than 500 yards:
But for a former CFL star like Garcia, a player who had to scrape just to land an NFL audition, the numbers are staggering.
They are part of the deal that Garcia originally signed in 2001, and has since extended through 2008, and reflect not only an $11.5 signing bonus in 2002 but much creativity in terms of creating even more financial opportunity in the near future. That is, in part, because the contract provides Garcia, 33, the ability to void the deal following the 2004 season, and to become a free agent at that time.
Garcia is scheduled to earn base salaries of $4.25 million this season and of $6.5 million in 2004. The carefully crafted contract, negotiated by Bay area agent Steve Baker, took full advantage of an option clause, escalators and, of course, the 49ers' cap situation. The contract makes Garcia the first quarterback to earn over $20 million in a two-year period.
It puts Garcia, whose bank account belies his modest physical appearance, atop an elite grouping of quarterbacks who will have earned more than $11 million in actually money paid out 2002-2003.
Friday, June 13
Garcia tops Manning as highest paid for 2002-03
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Even with three straight Pro Bowl appearances, and statistics topped only by a few players at his position, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia still rates as one of the NFL's most anonymous stars.
But when it comes to a roll call of the league's highest-paid quarterbacks, at least over a two-year period, the four-year veteran certainly merits considerable attention. And that's because in terms of actual money that he will be paid for 2002-03, Garcia leads all NFL quarterbacks in compensation, according to league salary records obtained by ESPN.com.
Over that period, Garcia will have earned $20.4 million, about $1.4 million more than runner-up Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts. The calculations could change, and dramatically, if Manning signs a long-term contract extension. Manning and the Colts are in the early stages of negotiations and a deal does not appear imminent.
Running on empty
While it has been somewhat devalued in recent years, the 1,000-yard mark still remains the most recognizable standard for a running back. Last season, however, the leading rusher for 15 of the 32 franchises recorded fewer than 1,000 yards. Over the last 10 years, in fact, there have been 11 leading rushers for their respective teams who didn't even post a half-1,000-yard season. Here is a look at the players, since 1993, who led their teams in rushing despite running for fewer than 500 yards:
But for a former CFL star like Garcia, a player who had to scrape just to land an NFL audition, the numbers are staggering.
They are part of the deal that Garcia originally signed in 2001, and has since extended through 2008, and reflect not only an $11.5 signing bonus in 2002 but much creativity in terms of creating even more financial opportunity in the near future. That is, in part, because the contract provides Garcia, 33, the ability to void the deal following the 2004 season, and to become a free agent at that time.
Garcia is scheduled to earn base salaries of $4.25 million this season and of $6.5 million in 2004. The carefully crafted contract, negotiated by Bay area agent Steve Baker, took full advantage of an option clause, escalators and, of course, the 49ers' cap situation. The contract makes Garcia the first quarterback to earn over $20 million in a two-year period.
It puts Garcia, whose bank account belies his modest physical appearance, atop an elite grouping of quarterbacks who will have earned more than $11 million in actually money paid out 2002-2003.
