[CBFF] CT: Backup bucks irk Vasher

[Victor Waldron]

(I believe this is the article Ross was referring to. I have no
problem adding years onto his current contract as that seems to be
what we're talking about here. Maybe extend him out a couple years and
give him a little bonus?? As Ross said, he might get less than when he
becomes an RFA in two years (if he remains a ProBowler) but he'd be
happy for now. Hey, we have the cap space, so why not?)

Backup bucks irk Vasher
Bears' All-Pro is 131st highest-paid CB, but new contract unlikely
By K.C. Johnson
Tribune staff reporter

June 14, 2006, 10:33 PM CDT

The agent for Nathan Vasher has sent the Bears a proposal for a
one-year extension that would move the All-Pro cornerback from the
131st highest-paid player at his position to 44th.

Michael Sullivan said the proposal would leave untouched the remaining
two years on Vasher's rookie contract, which calls for him to be paid
just over $900,000.

The Bears haven't responded to the proposal but previously have told
Sullivan they don't renegotiate contracts of players with two years of
NFL service.

"I understand teams need to have policies," Sullivan said. "But what
kind of policy allows a backup to make 10 times more than an All-Pro
starter?"

That comment is in reference to the roughly $9 million of salary and
bonuses the Bears will pay free-agent signee Ricky Manning Jr., who
signed an offer sheet in April to leave Carolina. Manning is working
with the first defensive unit now that Vasher has left voluntary team
workouts at Halas Hall.

New England rewarded quarterback Tom Brady after his second season
with a four-year, $28 million extension in August 2002. The
sixth-round pick had played in one game as a rookie in 2000 but led
New England to the Super Bowl championship after taking over for an
injured Drew Bledsoe.

"Under the Bears' stated policy they would not have considered an
extension for Brady," Sullivan said. "It would be as if the Patriots
said to Tom, 'We're not going to take your salary beyond minimum and
sign a backup to 10 times what you're making.'"

Bears general manager Jerry Angelo, speaking earlier Wednesday, seemed
unmoved by Sullivan's stance.

"That's his opinion, and he can say what he wants to say," Angelo
said. "I don't necessarily like when people take their laundry to the
media. There's a way to express your concerns or gripes, and he did to
me. But he also felt compelled to talk to the media and get it off his
chest. So be it."

Safety Mike Brown, one of the team's emotional leaders, said he
doesn't think having Vasher, linebacker Lance Briggs and running back
Thomas Jones miss workouts affects morale. He did acknowledge coach
Lovie Smith demoted Briggs and Jones at the mandatory mini-camp.

"That hurts them," Brown said. "But coach Smith is on record as saying
the best players are going to play. So when everyone comes to training
camp, there's a depth chart. I have a good feeling those guys will be
in training camp and in great shape."