Five Million Dollars Per Apostrophe?

by Tim on Feb 28, 2008 1:19 PM CST in News

Imagine my surprise when I read the following tidbit in John Clayton's latest article:

"The Texans' Andre Davis is also going to make $5 million a year, and no one is 100 percent certain he's a starter."

Did I miss something? $5,000,000.00 per year? Look, I love Apostrophe Davis. I think the guy is a helluva return man, and his contributions at WR, particiularly when Andre Johnson was out, were enormous. But five million dollars per year, for multiple years? For a guy who'd be your kick returner and at best your No. 3 WR? Sorry, but I wouldn't pay that.

Maybe Apostrophe will get that kind of scratch somewhere, and I'd never say he isn't worth it. You're worth whatever the market says you're worth. But if I'm Smithiak, and that's what it's going to take to bring him back to Reliant Park, I thank him for his contributions and wish him the best. Am I out of line here?

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Andre Davis = Devin Hester

The Texans are much in the same situation as the Bears are with Devin Hester. An electric return man who also plays WR.

You get all kinds of things from a top return man: excellent field position, winning field position battles, momentum, excitement, and even scoring. Games can turn on a big kick return. Both Davis & Hester have done this.

Now there's the question of WR play. Neither one has proven to be a game breaker there, but they've shown that they're worth having on the field.

So how do much do you pay a guy that falls outside of a normal position on a depth chart?

In Davis' case, I'd pay him in roster bonuses. I'd offer him to a 3 year deal with 1 mil salaries that are guaranteed, a 3 million signing bonus a 2 million dollar roster bonus to be paid at the start of training camp in the 2009 season and then another 2 million roster bonus to be paid at the start of 2010 training camp. He makes 4 million in guaranteed money today. If he's cut before the first roster bonus, he still walks away with another 2 million in guaranteed money. The total deal would be worth $10 million with $6 million guaranteed.

His cap hits would be 2008-2 mil, 2009-3 mil, 2010-4 mil which would all be decently manageable for a 3rd WR with his talents.

I think that's close to a fair deal for both sides.

If someone offers him a deal with an average of 5 mil a year they're going to have to offer something in the neighborhood of 3 years $15 million with a 9 million signing bonus.

He'd only get 3 mil more in guaranteed money and 5 mil more if he played out the deal.

by marroncito on Feb 28, 2008 2:58 PM CST reply actions

Re: Apostrophe

That deal you proposed makes all kinds of sense. Here's hoping Rick Smith followed your lead.

Unless you ARE Rick Smith...

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Feb 28, 2008 3:15 PM CST up reply actions

More Than A Kick Returner/WR

He also plays on the punt/kick coverage teams. I think he recovered a muffed punt, and downed a couple of punts down near the goal line. So he fills multiple needs.

by kozanack on Feb 29, 2008 12:18 AM CST reply actions