OU812
11-22-2002, 02:50 AM
In a 2002 season when NFL salaries rose by 20 percent, to a record average of $1.316 million, there are 25 players with total compensation of at least $7.5 million and a dozen who will bank $10 million or more in so-called "actual total salary."
Big Money Men
There are 25 players listed by the NFL Players Association as making at least $7.5 million in "actual total salary" for the 2002 season. The total compensation is an aggregate of signing bonus, roster bonus, report bonus, workout bonus, likely to be earned incentives and base salary:
Player Team Comp.
QB D. McNabb Eagles $15,389,225
RB Curtis Martin Jets $13,503,600
OG Larry Allen Cowboys $13,002,520
QB David Carr Texans $11,960,000
WR Rod Smith Broncos $11,664,040
QB Jeff Garcia 49ers $11,600,000
DE M. Strahan Giants $11,401,980
CB Aaron Glenn Texans $11,343,360
OT Tarik Glenn Colts $11,300,000
LB Ray Lewis Ravens $10,525,000
RB M. Faulk Rams $10,200,000
DE J. Peppers Panthers $10,100,000
DE P. Kerney Falcons $9,560,000
QB Drew Bledsoe Bills $9,501,530
C Kevin Mawae Jets $9,125,068
CB Duane Starks Cardinals $8,600,720
OT Mike Williams Bills $8,237,500
OT Jason Fabini Jets $7,528,510
C Olin Kreutz Bears $7,527,970
LB J. Trotter Redskins $7,526,170
LB P. Boulware Ravens $7,525,000
QB Kerry Collins Giants $7,503,600
WR Marty Booker Bears $7,502,880
DT Bryant Young 49ers $7,500,360
WR Jimmy Smith Jaguars $7,500,000
The numbers are derived from various NFL Players Association salary documents obtained by ESPN.com. The term "actual total salary" is defined as including signing bonuses, workout bonuses, reporting bonuses and roster bonuses, "likely to be earned" incentives, and base salary.
Not surprisingly, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, who on Sept. 27 signed a new 12-year contract that could be worth as much as $115 million, is the league's highest earner, at $15.389 million this season. McNabb received a $13.5 million signing bonus, and his base salary is $1,888,235.
For the purpose of identifying "actual total salary," signing bonuses are not prorated, as they are for assigning salary-cap values. The so-called future "option" or "buyout" bonuses, even those that are guaranteed, were not included in the NFLPA accounting.
Big Money Men
There are 25 players listed by the NFL Players Association as making at least $7.5 million in "actual total salary" for the 2002 season. The total compensation is an aggregate of signing bonus, roster bonus, report bonus, workout bonus, likely to be earned incentives and base salary:
Player Team Comp.
QB D. McNabb Eagles $15,389,225
RB Curtis Martin Jets $13,503,600
OG Larry Allen Cowboys $13,002,520
QB David Carr Texans $11,960,000
WR Rod Smith Broncos $11,664,040
QB Jeff Garcia 49ers $11,600,000
DE M. Strahan Giants $11,401,980
CB Aaron Glenn Texans $11,343,360
OT Tarik Glenn Colts $11,300,000
LB Ray Lewis Ravens $10,525,000
RB M. Faulk Rams $10,200,000
DE J. Peppers Panthers $10,100,000
DE P. Kerney Falcons $9,560,000
QB Drew Bledsoe Bills $9,501,530
C Kevin Mawae Jets $9,125,068
CB Duane Starks Cardinals $8,600,720
OT Mike Williams Bills $8,237,500
OT Jason Fabini Jets $7,528,510
C Olin Kreutz Bears $7,527,970
LB J. Trotter Redskins $7,526,170
LB P. Boulware Ravens $7,525,000
QB Kerry Collins Giants $7,503,600
WR Marty Booker Bears $7,502,880
DT Bryant Young 49ers $7,500,360
WR Jimmy Smith Jaguars $7,500,000
The numbers are derived from various NFL Players Association salary documents obtained by ESPN.com. The term "actual total salary" is defined as including signing bonuses, workout bonuses, reporting bonuses and roster bonuses, "likely to be earned" incentives, and base salary.
Not surprisingly, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, who on Sept. 27 signed a new 12-year contract that could be worth as much as $115 million, is the league's highest earner, at $15.389 million this season. McNabb received a $13.5 million signing bonus, and his base salary is $1,888,235.
For the purpose of identifying "actual total salary," signing bonuses are not prorated, as they are for assigning salary-cap values. The so-called future "option" or "buyout" bonuses, even those that are guaranteed, were not included in the NFLPA accounting.