NFL Stock Down: Week 6

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Every Monday during the season we will take a look back at three players who are entering important stages of their contract that may have hurt their stock in upcoming negotiations with their play on Sunday. In addition we will also look at one player signed in the offseason to a new contract that did not live up to the expectations that his contract sets for the player.

Stock Down

Jason Pierre-Paul– In a chance to be showcased in a big national game, Pierre-Paul continued to disappoint. JPP registered no sacks and outside of a trip up of Nick Foles on a run really made no impact at all. It’s hard to believe how far his star has fallen since he looked like the next big thing a few years ago.

Danny Amendola– Somehow in a game where the Patriots threw the ball 37 times to 10 different receivers, Amendola did not get even one look. The Amendola-Welker switch will probably go down as one of the worst decisions of all time, a decision the Patriots will try to forget when they cut Amendola as soon as the season ends.

Mike Williams– In the biggest game of the season for the Buffalo Bills, Williams somehow found himself deactivated for the game. The Bills traded for Williams in the offseason hoping that he would provide, for one year, a low cost threat to the passing game. Williams, who was also given up on by the Buccaneers, needs to be on the field to try to get himself a job next season.

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New Contract Disappointment Of The Week

Chris Johnson– Johnson carried the ball just three times for the Jets on Sunday, looking like an afterthought in the struggling offense. The Jets, who paid Johnson $4 million this offseason, look to have given up on integrating the former star into the offense.  This may be the last regular season stop of Johnson’s career.

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Mike Williams $40 million Contract In Reality is Worth $10 Million

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Much publicity was made about WR Mike Williams $40.25 million dollar contract he signed with the Buccaneers on Wednesday. There was talk about how he was the first ever to reach that number without a 1,000 yard season (I would have thought that was Percy Harvin but maybe they mean all purpose yards). There was talk about the impressive $15 million guarantee that was coming with the contract.

In reality the extension actually averages $7.924 million a year in new money with $9.4 million in guarantees and an extremely friendly cap structure that could leave Williams with a 1 year contract worth $10 million dollars. As is standard for the Buccaneers no signing bonus was included in the contract. Without a signing bonus the only protection Williams has is guarantees in his contract. His salary in 2013 and 2014 are both protected but to earn the full $15 million in guarantees Williams has to be on the roster in 2015.

Williams cap hit next season will only be $1.8 million with $600,000 tied to workout participation to ensure his presence in the offseason. Those workout bonuses are present in every year of the contract. If he remains on the team in 2015 the cap charge is only $6.8 million. With no potential guarantees beyond that season the $23.45 million in salary due the final three years of the contract is only going to be seen if Williams plays well.

It is possible that Tampa Bay could walk away after payments of just $9.37 million in new money for the one extension year and $10 million total for the 2013 and 2014 season. Considering the franchise tag last season was over $10.5 million for a WR, the Buccaneers could have faced a situation where Williams earned his $630K this season and then was tagged for over $10 million in 2014. So the Buccaneers more or less received a discount of $1.2-$1.5 million and keep the franchise tag open for Josh Freeman in the event he has a terrific season in his walk year.

It is a very strong deal for Tampa who has built their team with a clear vision for the next two seasons and left open the possibility of changing course with almost no damage to their salary cap structure if the two year window doesn’t pan out. You can view Mike Williams’ Salary Cap Page by clicking here. 

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