PFT- The Brandon Moore deal examined

[Kentucky Jet]

JETS EXTEND MOORE

One of the items we missed in Wednesday's frenzy regarding the Patriots' cheating scandal (we received more e-mails than ever before with opinions and arguments about the issue), was that the New York Jets have extended the contract of right guard Brandon Moore.

Per Rich Cimini of the New York Daily News, Moore signed a six-year, $17.3 million deal. But because the contract includes a $5 million roster bonus in 2009, it's essentially a two-year deal with a club option for the balance.

The contract also pays out $1.4 million in new money over the next two seasons.

Per NFLPA records, the base salaries are $1.8 million in 2007, $1 million in 2008, $620,000 in 2009, $760,000 in 2010, and either $1.75 million in 2012. Other roster bonuses, signing bonuses, option bonuses, and/or workout bonuses are presently unknown.

So, in essence, Moore got a $700,000 annual raise for 2007 and 2008, and if he performs well over the next two years the team will pay him the $5 million roster bonus. If he doesn't, the team will likely squeeze him -- just as it did a year ago with former left guard Pete Kendall -- to take less money.

The due date of the $5 million roster bonus is presently unknown. Moore's agent ideally would have asked for the roster bonus to be earned on the first day of the league year, since it would allow Moore to hit the open market when the money is flowing if the Jets decide not to pay him. It also prevents the Jets from scouring the market for cheaper options to Moore before having to decide whether to cough up the $5 million.

The most surprising thing about the decision to extend Moore is that he had four more years remaining under his prior deal. The fact that Kendall had three years left on his contract was the primary argument advanced by the Jets in support of the team's refusal to re-work it.

Kendall apparently has moved on (and moved out) despite the inconsistency. "At this point in time, Pete is with the Redskins and he wishes the Jets the best," Kendall's agent, Neil Schwartz, told Cimini. "It's unfortunate it didn't work out. Pete is happy for Brandon."