Roster bonuses: the worried men

Roster bonuses are not often discussed in depth by the sports media, but they play a huge role in who gets cut in the preseason. Roster bonuses are payments (usually of the enormous variety) paid to players who are on their team's roster on a specific date. Some of the most significant roster bonuses are listed below. Some of the men on the list will get cut. Some will restructure their deals. Some will get paid in a major way.

Lito Sheppard, CB, New York Jets

 

Lito Sheppard: worth it? In a word, no

Bonus: $10 million
Due Date: March 10th

This is a staggering amount of money for a guy who is the second-best cornerback on his team (All-Pro Darrelle Revis mans the other side). Sheppard this week told Manish Mehta of the Newark Star-Ledger that he thinks he's "worth it." I don't know what tape he watched this season, but it can't have been one of Sheppard, 2009 vintage.  I'm not sure how this will go down, but the New York Jets will not be paying Lito Sheppard ten million dollars on March 10th. Whether he gets cut or restructures is up in the air. One factor in play here is that the Jets don't really have another corner they can promote to starter - nickel back Dwight Lowery is solid, but severely lacking in speed. In a division with Randy Moss, Lee Evans and Ted Ginn Jr., that's a killer.

Thomas Jones, RB, New York Jets

 

Jones spots the writing on the wall

Bonus: $3 million
Due Date: March 10th

Staying in New Jersey, the Jets also have to deal with chronic contract-demander Thomas Jones. He'll be 32 come the start of the 2010 season, and despite another good season in 2009 (his sixth straight 1300-yard season), has to be worried about his job security. Rookie Shonn Greene bagged 304 yards and 2 TDs in the Jets' surprising playoff run, and seems ready to be a featured back. This seems to spell the end for Jones in New York. He'll catch on elsewhere, however, since he's still healthy and productive. He'll go down as one of the most underrated, underappreciated running backs in NFL history - his 4.0 career ypc makes him statistically better than Floyd Little and John Riggins, both of whom are in the Hall of Fame.

Stacy Andrews, OG, Philadelphia Eagles

 

The Andrews brothers: making momma proud

 Bonus: $4.1 million
Due Date: April 4th

Underperforming tackle becomes injured underperforming tackle, becomes injured underperforming tackle-turned-guard? This guy is worth over four million dollars in bonuses? He was a healthy scratch more than once last year, and was replaced by Max Jean-Gilles several times due to his need to improve his pass-protection techniques . He started a total of two games. The team takes no cap hit if they release him. I say Andrews restructures significantly to gave him the chance to compete for a starting job, and potentially play alongside his brother Shawn (physical and mental state notwithstanding).

Antrel Rolle, FS, Arizona Cardinals

 

Antrel Rolle celebrates the overpayment in his future

Bonus: $4 million
Due Date: March 5th

Rolle made the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2009, which is great timing for him, since his big roster bonus, huge salary ($8.1 million in 2010) and hitting all the escalators in his rookie deal make it impossible for the Cardinals to pay him everything he's due. This means he'll either restructure, get released, or get a trade. The restructured deal needs to contain some serious goodies for him, since he has no motivation to make a deal right now. Being released or traded would mean a new deal, which would likely be in the top ten safety deals in the NFL, thanks to his age and recent productivity. I wouldn't want to be the Cardinals contract guy right now, with Rolle, Anquan Boldin, Darnell Dockett and Karlos Dansby all popular, productive and lining up outside his office. If he is traded, Miami could be a landing spot, since their free safety Gibril Wilson was a predictable disappointment in 2009, and Rolle was a successful college player in Miami.