Tom Brady Is Playing You Fools for More Money

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I wrote yesterday that Patriots quarterback didn't lose a penny when he restructured his deal to accommodate his newest toy, wideout Randy Moss. ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli has the details of the deal, but adds this interesting nugget:

Even if the league's spending limit increases to $116 million in 2008, as anticipated, Brady's cap charge [resulting from his newly-restructured deal], if untouched, would represent a whopping 12.6 percent of the New England budget. By comparison, his cap charge for 2007 is 6.7 percent of a $109 million cap. For owner Bob Kraft, such an excessive amount tied up in one player in 2008 would leave him little recourse.

He would almost certainly have to negotiate a new contract, which could be one of the most lucrative in NFL history, or extend the current deal.

There are two ways for teams to deal with such humongous cap charges: release a player -- and that ain't happening here -- or, in Pasquarelli's words, "go overboard with a huge contract."

In the wake of Yankee-lid Gate, some people, presumably Patriots fans, have called Brady selfish. This seems weird since he signed a relatively modest contract in 2004, one that allowed New England to keep their roster together. Next year, however, Brady could get paid ... like Michael Vick or Peyton Manning money. You know, the two NFL quarterbacks with one Super Bowl ring between them. And whatever he gets, he's earned it.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-05-2007 @ 11:17PM

Melyssa said...

It's in the nature of sports to go after the almighty dollar, Brady for the past 3 or so years has played for a lot less money then Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, and Michael Vick. And has won a lot more for his team then the three of those put together.

So if now after years of playing below his market value for the Patriots he wants to get paid market value, I don't have a problem with that because he has earned his money.

And if the other Pats fans start screaming that he is selfish, he can leave the Patriots and go to another team, and watch the Patriots go down the toilet-- and laugh.

5-06-2007 @ 4:32AM

chuckinlove said...

I've yet to hear a Pats fan suggest that Brady is selfish. He takes less money than his peers so team can be better, he's included the offensive line in his television commercial, he restructures his contract at the last minute for Moss. He's one of THE team leaders and 'dies' with every loss. This is looking for a controversy where there is none.

5-06-2007 @ 5:07AM

Eddie_D said...

Gentlemen,
The idea that Tom, by restructuring his contract to let Randy Moss have enough cap room to be signed, should have dealt himself a paycut is ludicrous. His unself act let the Patriots take yet another step towards the next Super Bowl. Did Manning or Vick do anything to help their team keep or acquire talented team mates???? GO TOM !!!!!!!

5-06-2007 @ 6:10AM

Gary said...

Eddie D.

Actually, they did....or at least Manning did. Peyton Manning did restructure his contract this year to allow the Colts more cap room. Did the Colts use it in the free agent market? Nope. They used it to sign Freeney and left the rest for their draft picks.

The Patriots started the offseason with some 19.6 mil in cap room. However, the Patriots had already gone on a spending spree and saw the opportunity to get Moss. To afford the added luxury of a Moss, they had to ask Brady to move some of his money around to allow the deal to move forward.

Brady, like any smart player who wants to win, eagerly said "yes".

I am a HUGE Pats fan, but objective....Manning did the right thing in Indy. Philosophy and approach is different in Indy than New England. Polian believes in loading his offense and getting by with whatever defense he can afford.

The Patriots still try to maintain a balance between the two with depth on both sides of the ball....tough balls to juggle.

5-06-2007 @ 8:01AM

Marie said...

I cannot beleive someone would actually call Tom Brady selfish, Pleeze, He is worth a whole lot more than Kraft and co. is and has been paying him. selfish? You need to get your head examined. I dont think we pay him enough, and we ought to thank our lucky stars, he has not opted to go some-where else where the money is better. Put on a colts hat and call it good, I think you have lost your mind , so a colts hat would fit you perfectly.

5-06-2007 @ 1:38PM

Shecky said...

What Patriot fans are calling him selfish? I live a couple towns over from Foxboro and haven't heard anything remotely like that...even from the morons that call talk radio. Fact is he's one of the more unselfish athletes we've ever had in Boston and we know it. A little substantive research would be good next time, Mr. Wilson.

5-06-2007 @ 6:20PM

Paul said...

How could anyone say "selfish" and Tom Brady in the same sentence? This guy has a fantastic winning percentage, which is an overlooked stat for QB's, but if he was a pitcher in baseball, everyone would take note. He has been modest and is a true team player.

5-06-2007 @ 7:07PM

Lex in San Francisco said...

Unselfish, prepared team player, team leader... this guy left money on the table so the team could resign and sign different players... In the era of where is the ESPN camera's and 'look at me !', he is quiet class and the Pat's have been an entertaining team to watch , root for for years now...
( Wish they didn't invite trouble, poison, via Moss into that locker room ) !

5-07-2007 @ 12:37AM

Sammy said...

My name is Sammy Henderson and I am the biggest Patriots fan in my family.And if anyone says to me that the the Patriots suck again I am going to lay them out!!!!And I am only in the fifth grade and 11 years old wearing my BRADY jersey right now.Tom Brady is only the greatest QB In the NFL and he deserves all the money that he wants,but he is not greedy like Peyton Manning is.Tom is the next Joe Montana.My neighbor always tells me that BRADY is gay and that just ticks me off!!!!GO TOM!