Butler contract breakdown
A league source has confirmed the details of the contract that Patriots cornerback Darius Butler, the third of the team's four second round picks (No. 41 overall) has agreed to. Butler gets a four-year deal for about $4.125 million.
The details of the deal were first reported by Pro Football Talk.
Butler gets more than $2 million guaranteed in the form of a $440,000 roster bonus and a $1.6275 million guaranteed option bonus.
His base salaries will be $310,000 (2009), $395,000 (2010), $582,000 (2011) and $770,000 (2012).
It is a mild surprise that Butler is the first of the Patriots' four second-round picks to sign. He is a client of mega-agent Drew Rosenhaus, who is known as a tough negotiator, but Rosenhaus said it was a "very smooth negotiation."
"I think it's important to be the first one to sign," said Rosenhaus. "The early bird gets the worm. I feel confident that it's a deal that is good for the Patriots and for my client. It will hold up well for everyone involved. I look forward to doing more deals with the Patriots."
Rosenhaus said it helped that he has always had a good working relationship with Patriots senior football adviser Floyd Reese, who is handling the team's contracts now, and that he has always enjoyed working with Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
"We have a lot in common; they have four second round picks and so do we, between us we dominate the round," said Rosenhaus. "It was a very smooth negotiation. What helped us get it done is Darius is going to do some great things for Patriots. I believe he'll be a strong contributor."
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said Rosenhaus. "It was a very smooth negotiation. What helped us get it done is Darius is going to do some great things for Patriots. I believe he'll be a strong contributor."
I can't believe I'm about to say this, but, from Rosenhaus' lips to God's ears.
smart move by everyone involved. so important as a rookie to put contracts behind you and be thinking football only.
Maybe some of the agents are "getting it" that we're in a severe recession!
Make a mental note to compare what Butler was just signed at verse what Michael Oher (who was taken with the Patriot's original pick at 23) signs at.
Sounds like a bargain to me. Great news.
I love this kid's game. Go Pats!
1. great news.
2. why a roster bonus instead of a signing bonus? Does Robert Kraft need time to come up with the cash? I know Mike's probably on vacation but does anyone know why they would use a $440k roster bonus instead of a signing bonus?
Is the length of this contract atypical for a cornerback in the second round?
Just wondering if this contract implies a high confidence in Butler, subsequent to his work at the early camps?
Great deal for a guy who has the size, speed and athleticism to be a top flight CB over the next 4 years. Go Pats!
"Breakdown" is not a good word to use in the title like that. I saw the headline and said to myself, "Talks broke down? I thought he already signed." Try "summary" or "analysis" instead.
Uh, I think the "word-play" there was sort of deliberate, not quite a pun, but intended to make the story more a bit eye-catching. The Post does it quite frequently.
Grammer police: I'm with Mike and Chris on this one. A contract is an agreement. Negotiations are the discussions leading to an agreement. Even if your read of 'Breakdown' is correct, the title would imply that there is already a contract. Also, given the context, it should have been obvious.
classica
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