Bonus contracts handcuff Browns
by Tony Grossi/Plain Dealer Reporter Friday March 13, 2009, 1:45 AM
A rash of cash roster bonuses, most owed to players today, has led to the release of at least two veteran Browns players and prompted the club's new management team to ask for relief from others.
The Browns released offensive lineman Kevin Shaffer Thursday rather than pay him a scheduled bonus of $1 million and $2.65 million base salary. Shaffer was considering whether to return at a reduced contract or enter free agency, agent Alan Herman said.
On Wednesday, the Browns released popular receiver Joe Jurevicius, who was owed a $250,000 bonus and $2.4 million base salary. Jurevicius declined a pay reduction to the NFL veteran minimum salary.
Almost $30 million more in roster bonuses is owed in contracts inherited by new General Manager George Kokinis and coach Eric Mangini.
The roll call:
• Defensive linemen Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams each is scheduled to receive $6 million in roster bonuses in contract extensions given by the Browns after trading for the players last March.
• Quarterback Derek Anderson has a guaranteed bonus of $5 million owed today as part of his three-year, $24 million contract.
• Receiver Donte Stallworth is owed a bonus of $4.75 million in his seven-year, $35 million contract.
• Running back Jamal Lewis is owed a $4 million bonus in the second year of a three-year, $17 million contract he signed last February.
• Left tackle Joe Thomas is owed a bonus of $3.44 million in the third year of his rookie contract signed in 2007.
All of those contracts were negotiated by former General Manager Phil Savage and his chief negotiator, Trip MacCracken. Savage was fired in December.
A week ago, the Browns named Dawn Aponte, formerly with the NFL Management Council and the New York Jets, as vice president/football administration. The club said Aponte will oversee the management of the salary cap and player contract negotiations.
The Browns are expected to meet most, if not all, of the scheduled bonus payments. Not paying a bonus would save the club cash, but would result in releasing the player and suffering, in some cases, serious consequences to the Browns' salary cap.
A club spokesman said the Browns would not discuss their plans in regards to the bonus payments, and would announce only decisions that affect the team's roster.
The logjam of scheduled bonus payments may partially explain why the Browns have been relatively conservative in free agency this year.
The team confirmed on Thursday the signing of ex-Jets linebacker David Bowens. The Browns did not disclose the terms. They were reported by the Newark Star-Ledger to be $7.2 million over four years.
The Browns also have signed Jets defensive lineman C.J. Mosley (two years, $5 million), Bills tight end Robert Royal (four years, $10 million) and Jets cornerback Hank Poteat (terms unavailable). The club also signed Jets safety Abram Elam, a restricted free agent, to a one-year offer sheet for $1.5 million. The Jets have seven days to match.
The Browns also re-signed safety Mike Adams (three years, $4.1 million).
Last month the Browns cut the salary of offensive tackle from $3.25 million to $845,000.
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