Dollars and sense: A second look at Gould's contract

We tried to analyze the numbers for Robbie Goulds new contract vs. Josh Brown earlier, and well take one more shot at presenting them.

The figures from the deal Gould pulled down last week have come in and we can match them up with the contract Brown signed with the St. Louis Rams at the start of free agency.

Gould received a five-year extension from the Bears that provides him with $13.5 million in new money, keeping him in place through 2013. The deal tops out at $15.5 million in new money with performance-based escalators totaling $2 million in 2012 and 2013. Goulds average on the extension with the escalators is $3.1 million. Without, its $2.7 million.

Brown signed a $14.2 million, five-year contract to leave Seattle ($2.84 million average). Gould makes more money per year on his extension if he hits one or both of his escalators. The 2012 escalator is for $900,000 and the 2013 escalator is worth $1.1 million.

Gould collects $8.9 million in the first three years of his extension (2009 through 2011) when you count the bonus money he collects this year.

Brown receives $8.8 million in the first three years of his contract (2008 through 2010).

Thats where it turns into an apples vs. oranges comparison when you look at a straight five-year contract vs. a five-year extension. During 2008-2010, Gould will collect roughly $7.27 million. For the purpose of comparison, NFLPA records show Goulds three-year average as $2.967 million. Browns is $2.933 million. Brown received a $4 million signing bonus. Gould picked up a $2 million roster bonus this year and has $2 million of a roster bonus guaranteed for 2009. With other bonuses, he can collect another $254,800 in the first two years.

The Bears dont believe in ripping up the final year of contracts when they go to players for extensions (imagine the how Tommie Harris and Devin Hester feel about that right now). In Goulds case, theyve maintained the integrity of the previous contract by keeping the base salary of $520,000 for 2008. Thats what makes the straight comparison to Browns contract tricky. Gould is under contract for the next six seasons at $16.02 million if you include the escalators.

Inside the Bears apologizes for any confusion. A breakdown of the numbers:

Robbie Gould

2008

$2 million roster bonus

$520,000 base salary

$100,000 workout bonus

$4,800 workout bonus

Total: $2,624,800

Cap number: $2,624,800

2009

$2.15 million roster bonus

$750,000 base salary