Dollars and sense II: Briggs & Berrian deals

The six-year contract for three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs stacks up as it was announced last week with $21.6 million of the $36 million payable in the first three seasons. Briggs contract will place him in the top 10 at his position in the league and he will pocket more in 2008 than he did with the $7.206 million franchise tag in 2007. Agent Drew Rosenhaus asserts it made Briggs the highest-paid weak-side linebacker in the game.

For those curious about shopping the Bears have left to do in free agency, and the ramifications of Briggs deal on the clubs ability to do extensions with defensive tackle Tommie Harris and returner Devin Hester, Briggs will count less than $5.5 million vs. the salary cap this season.

A breakdown of the contract:

2008

$4 million signing bonus

$3.75 million roster bonus

$805,000 base salary

$250,000 workout bonus

Total: $8,805,000

Cap number: $5,471,667

2009

$4.75 million roster bonus

$1.1 million base salary

$250,000 workout bonus

Total: $6,100,000

Cap number: $6,766,667

2010

$3.3 million roster bonus

$3.145 million base salary

$250,000 workout bonus

Total: $6,695,000

Cap number: $7,361,667

2011

$3,650,000 base salary

$250,000 workout bonus

Total: $3,900,000

Cap number: 4,566,667

2012

$3,750,000 base salary

$250,000 workout bonus

Total: $4,000,000

Cap number: $4,666,667

2013

$6,250,000 base salary

$250,000 workout bonus

Total: $6,500,000

Cap number: $7,166,667

The numbers are also in on the deal for freshly minted Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Bernard Berrian. They add up to the reported $42 million over six seasons with $23 million payable in the first three years of the deal. Its believed that Berrians $5 million signing bonus could be deferred, as well as portions of an $8 million roster bonus that is to be paid this year.

A breakdown of the contract:

2008

$5 million signing bonus

$8 million roster bonus

$605,000 base salary

$100,000 workout bonus

Total: $13,705,000*** money from the signing bonus and roster bonus is deferred through 2009 and 2010

2009

$3 million roster bonus

$2.395 million base salary

$100,000 workout bonus

Total: $5,495,000