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http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1586467.html
One first-round contract down, one to go
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By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
The Arizona Cardinals finally completed negotiations with defensive end Calvin Pace, but left little rookie pool room Monday for their other first-round draft choice Bryant Johnson, who likely will not report to camp for a while.
Pace, the 18th pick overall, will sign a five-year contract that is worth about $8 million and as much as $11 million if he achieves certain escalators, ESPN.com has learned. A former Wake Forest star, Pace is expected to compete for playing time at right end and would immediately improve Arizona's weak pass rush.
The combined total of Pace's signing bonus and a second-tier option bonus is slightly more than $5 million. It marks the first time in franchise history that the Cardinals, who seem to march to their own off-beat drummer in negotiations, have awarded an option bonus, and one of the few occasions they have included escalators in a contract.
The salary cap value of the deal is $1.275 million, which will have a major impact on the Johnson negotiations. Johnson was actually selected ahead of Pace -- 17th in the first round. Pace's deal leaves the Cardinals with about only $975,000 remaining from their original rookie pool allocation of $3.955 million. This will make it virtually impossible to give Johnson, a wide receiver from Penn State, a viable market value contract.
Up until Sunday, the Cardinals were on similar negotiating paths with both of their first-round choices, offering each of them guaranteed money of about $4.4 million. But the team's emphasis then shifted to Pace, after team officials reportedly assessed that getting him into camp was more critical, and their offer increased significantly.
There now is a chance that Johnson and his agent will consider filing a grievance against the Cardinals, whose bargaining tactics were at least dubious, and who thought enough of the wide receiver three months ago to pluck him before taking Pace off the board.
Even when they succeed in reaching an agreement, it seems, the Cardinals still manage to bobble the ball.
Pace, 22, was a late riser before the draft, an "edge" defensive player with superior upfield speed and closing ability. He should be a welcome addition to an Arizona defense that finished last in the NFL in sacks (21) last season. It has totaled only 65 sacks in the last three seasons.
A three-year starter in college, Pace finished his Wake Forest career with 189 tackles, 29 sacks, 30 quarterback pressures, five fumbles forced and one recovery. He had 54 tackles for losses.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
One first-round contract down, one to go
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
The Arizona Cardinals finally completed negotiations with defensive end Calvin Pace, but left little rookie pool room Monday for their other first-round draft choice Bryant Johnson, who likely will not report to camp for a while.
Pace, the 18th pick overall, will sign a five-year contract that is worth about $8 million and as much as $11 million if he achieves certain escalators, ESPN.com has learned. A former Wake Forest star, Pace is expected to compete for playing time at right end and would immediately improve Arizona's weak pass rush.
The combined total of Pace's signing bonus and a second-tier option bonus is slightly more than $5 million. It marks the first time in franchise history that the Cardinals, who seem to march to their own off-beat drummer in negotiations, have awarded an option bonus, and one of the few occasions they have included escalators in a contract.
The salary cap value of the deal is $1.275 million, which will have a major impact on the Johnson negotiations. Johnson was actually selected ahead of Pace -- 17th in the first round. Pace's deal leaves the Cardinals with about only $975,000 remaining from their original rookie pool allocation of $3.955 million. This will make it virtually impossible to give Johnson, a wide receiver from Penn State, a viable market value contract.
Up until Sunday, the Cardinals were on similar negotiating paths with both of their first-round choices, offering each of them guaranteed money of about $4.4 million. But the team's emphasis then shifted to Pace, after team officials reportedly assessed that getting him into camp was more critical, and their offer increased significantly.
There now is a chance that Johnson and his agent will consider filing a grievance against the Cardinals, whose bargaining tactics were at least dubious, and who thought enough of the wide receiver three months ago to pluck him before taking Pace off the board.
Even when they succeed in reaching an agreement, it seems, the Cardinals still manage to bobble the ball.
Pace, 22, was a late riser before the draft, an "edge" defensive player with superior upfield speed and closing ability. He should be a welcome addition to an Arizona defense that finished last in the NFL in sacks (21) last season. It has totaled only 65 sacks in the last three seasons.
A three-year starter in college, Pace finished his Wake Forest career with 189 tackles, 29 sacks, 30 quarterback pressures, five fumbles forced and one recovery. He had 54 tackles for losses.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
We should be happy, but (which I am), but instead we have to worry about not seeing Johnson for a very long time.
