Thread: Brian Urlacher Says, "I'd Like To Return"..........

Any idea on the difference between "roster bonus" vs "per game roster bonus" work? Been seeing "per game" worked into a lot of contracts... even in regards to work-outs.

I know they both deal with said player being on the active 45-man roster, but is it simple as the wording. "Roster bonus" pays the player a lump sum at the end of the year if they remain on the 45-man roster for the entire season vs just paying a guy a weekly sum if he remains on the active roster.

Originally Posted by draw2anderson35

Any idea on the difference between "roster bonus" vs "per game roster bonus" work? Been seeing "per game" worked into a lot of contracts... even in regards to work-outs.

I know they both deal with said player being on the active 45-man roster, but is it simple as the wording. "Roster bonus" pays the player a lump sum at the end of the year if they remain on the 45-man roster for the entire season vs just paying a guy a weekly sum if he remains on the active roster.

From a cap standpoint I don't believe there's any difference as far as how it's treated for that contract year. A lot of roster bonuses are earned before the season even begins. If you're on the roster on the first day of that league year you've earned it and it's counted against the cap. There are fewer deals like this now than there used to be.

On a per game basis 100% would still be charged against the cap in that league year but if some of it was not earned there would be a cap credit for that amount the following league year. Or, if the guy is cut before the season begins or during the season I believe the team would get that credited back in the current league year because some or all of it wouldn't be earned.

The only way that I can think of to make a roster bonus ULTBE is to make it payable in arrears and base it on playing all 16 games or a certain percentage of snaps when a player has never done that before. If it's considered ULTBE it's not charged against the cap unless it is earned and then only in the following league year.

Clear as mud huh?

Originally Posted by Sulleymon

Urlacher will be invaluable to Tucker as a team leader who will help him get buy-in from the rest of the group during the transitional period.

That's a great point.

First and foremost I believe he can help us at MLB next year. With an entire off-season to use to get back from his knee injury (something he didn't have last year) I have to believe he'll help us. I keep going back to the fact that he looked about as good as I've ever seen him play, until he got the knee injury. I do believe him when he says he was not in football shape this season due to the injury limiting him. He's probably got at least this last season, to perform well enough to help the team at MLB.

If he couldn't play well, I'd not care about his locker-room influence. But since I believe he CAN play well this season, then yes, the leadership role is a GREAT benefit to the team too.

Good point.

I've said this before and I'll repeat it. I don't think Urlacher is the type of player who would ever hang one beyond his useful life. He's far too proud of his play and his legacy to do a Brett Favre.

Despite the fact that his play in 2012 wasn't that bad by any stretch of the imagination, just in comparison, I believe that if he didn't honestly believe he can play better next year after a year or rest and a shot at getting back into top playing shape that he would already be announcing his retirement from the NFL and he's not.

He doesn't just THINK he can still play. He KNOWS he can still play and all Emery needs to do is just make certain it's for the Bears. You can't let him wrap up his career elsewhere. No way.

Originally Posted by soulman

I've said this before and I'll repeat it. I don't think Urlacher is the type of player who would ever hang one beyond his useful life. He's far too proud of his play and his legacy to do a Brett Favre.

Despite the fact that his play in 2012 wasn't that bad by any stretch of the imagination, just in comparison, I believe that if he didn't honestly believe he can play better next year after a year or rest and a shot at getting back into top playing shape that he would already be announcing his retirement from the NFL and he's not.

He doesn't just THINK he can still play. He KNOWS he can still play and all Emery needs to do is just make certain it's for the Bears. You can't let him wrap up his career elsewhere. No way.

And one additional thought is that he'll be motivated to-the-max to come back strong after a disappointing season in 2012. I'll bet he'll come to training camp ready and focused for a great comeback season. I know he's disappointed in Lovie & Marinelli leaving. But sometimes a change like this can ultimately shake things up for the better.