3rd rd. Kevin Smith $$$ vs. 5th rd. Trae Williams $$$

[___ Eats It]

So enough details about both contracts have been released to compare Smith's deal to Trae's deal.

Smith (link):

Even though they expect him to be the starter for a long time to come, Smith only signed a three-year deal with base salaries of: (2008) $295,000 (2009) $385,000 (2010) $470,000. Smith will also receive a signing bonus of just under $650,000.

Bonus - 650K

Yr 1 - 295K

Yr 2 - 385K

Yr 3 - 470K

Total - $1.8M - 3 years

Yearly Avg - 600K

Trae (link)

Total Deal - $2.175M - 4 years (includes 170K bonus)

Yearly Avg - 544K

So the 2nd "best" rusher in NCAA history and a pick a full 2+ rounds ahead of Trae is worth a whopping 56K a year more than the 2nd best CB on USF?

I find it funny that Kevin's contract is front-loaded too.  Good for him, I mean.  He'll flame out at the next level quickly, so he may as well get paid now.  =)

[Bull Dozer]

Now that's how a "historic" player should be payed LOL

[Knight_Light]

Of course...only the SIGNING BONUSES are guaranteed (which I'm sure you knew that, right?)...but Smith's contract is laced with a lot of performance incentives...which is par for the course for any Drew Rosenhaus client.

[Who'sYourData?]

As KL correctly pointed out (I hate writing that), the guaranteed money is what counts.  Rookies want guaranteed money and short contracts.  Williams won't be able to get a raise for four years, even if he earns it.  Smith appropriately got the much better deal.

[nobull.Bulls]

Its all about gettin a good agent. Personally I dont think either did bad

[___ Eats It]

Of course...only the SIGNING BONUSES are guaranteed (which I'm sure you knew that, right?)

Absolutely, which is why I congratulated him for getting the $$ up front.

[Bullpride08]

Kevin Smith got the better deal.  Like KL said the signing bonuses are only money guaranteed.

[___ Eats It]

Kevin Smith got the better deal.  Like KL said the signing bonuses are only money guaranteed.

No argument from me.  I just thought it was funny that a "historical" player got a deal that's not far off from what Trae got.

[Knight_Light]

Kevin Smith got the better deal.  Like KL said the signing bonuses are only money guaranteed.

No argument from me.  I just thought it was funny that a "historical" player got a deal that's not far off from what Trae got.

Kevin's guaranteed $$$$ (signing bonus) was more than 4 times LARGER than what Trae got and was guaranteed.

Maybe your definition of "not far off" is different than myself & others who have posted in this thread.

[___ Eats It]

Kevin Smith got the better deal.  Like KL said the signing bonuses are only money guaranteed.

No argument from me.  I just thought it was funny that a "historical" player got a deal that's not far off from what Trae got.

Kevin's guaranteed $$$$ (signing bonus) was more than 4 times LARGER than what Trae got and was guaranteed.

Maybe your definition of "not far off" is different than myself & others who have posted in this thread.

I would expect that a THIRD ROUND player would get substantially more than a FIFTH ROUND player, especially one slated to start immediately.

In light of those conditions, I'm not overwhelmed by Smith's bonus compared to Trae's, no.  I wouldn't kick $450,000 out of bed, mind you, but I would think a "historical" player and a starting RB would draw a bit more than a mid-5th round backup CB.  Heck, the article itself hinted at the paltry nature of the contract for the situation Smith is going into.

Again, Smith is smart to get paid big up front.  He's going to get crushed at the NFL level and will get worn down fast playing for the crappy Lions and may not last 3 years.  The Packers defense is not the Rice defense.