Garcia could have earned extra $2.5-million

(UPDATE: We've been alerted that there was a slight misinterpretation of some language in Jeff Garcia's complex contract in this blog entry. It has now been updated to reflect the correct interpretation.)

We told you in this morning's paper that quarterback Jeff Garcia failed to reach a playing-time incentive in his contract in part because he sat out the final 1 1/2 games of 2007.

We've now learned that Garcia could have earned an extra $2.5-million on his incentive-laden contract, largely through playing-time incentives. That's in addition to the $5-million Garcia pocketed last year between his $3-million signing bonus and $2-million base salary. Some of Garcia's failure to meet certain playing-time thresholds came as a result of his missing two-plus games with a back injury. But Garcia was on the verge of earning a good chunk of the $2.5-million until he was benched for the final six quarters of the season because the Bucs clinched the NFC South in Week 15. At that point, Garcia was just shy of playing 70 percent of the offensive snaps, which would have triggered a bonus worth a good portion of that $2.5-million. It's worth noting that playing in the final game and a half might have allowed Garcia to trigger other incentives for things such as touchdown passes, yards and the like.

There's a lot more in the contract, but it's far too technical for anyone without a law degree to explain. As for 2008, Garcia will earn $2-million plus a $750,000 roster bonus that's payable if and when he makes the final roster. I imagine he's not real concerned about getting that bonus.

So, when Garcia says he is seeking a new contract, keep in mind that a big motivating factor is the large sum of money he feels he should have earned in 2007.

Comments

[Bill Billington]

With the amount of cap space we have... can't we just throw him a 1 million dollar bonus and be done with this issue. He was our MVP last year!

[Tony]

I am suprised he has not filed a grievence with the union. Could be construed the Bucs sat him so the would not have to pay him. That would be a unfair tactic and he would have recourse against the team. Did Gruden give up money by taking it easy coaching the last couple of games? No wonder the Bucs will never win another superbowl.

[James]

Bush League move again by the Bucs. Aren't they going to learn?

[Tom]

Bill, in a perfect world, Garcia should get that $2.5M. But heck, I wouldn't want to part with any of MY money if I didn't have to, much less a cool $2.5mil. Would you?

I don't think that Garcia's contract had anything to do with him sitting on the bench. He was getting killed in SF before they sat him. Plus, our team was decimated towards the end of the year. So sitting Garcia was a must.

[Ray]

Wow - they screwed him worse than the Eagles.

[Phil J.]

Well if that isn't a Culverhouse type move by the Bucs. Come on! Pay the guy what he's due or be seen as a bush league team by free agents who may or may not sign here!

[mm]

Maybe if the Bucs won the playoff game vs NY he would have made the quota for his bonus.

[Tater Mitts]

mm you are an idiot.. the guy threw 4 picks and had great numbers acros the baord. He is not the reason they lost the playoff game: Pls see.. um no one to f'n throw to when 84 got hurt you moron.

[Justin M]

Jeff Garcia has only himself to blame. Not Gruden. Gruden did the right thing for the team in benching Jeff for the final game and a half.

Jeff missed game time against Seattle. He missed pretty much the entire portion of the Washington game and then subsequently the NO, and HOU games. That is a alot of game time right there. He missed these thanks to his penchant for taking unnecessary violent an aviodable hits. I know that is the way he plays, but was the 2 yard gain against the Redskins worth getting hurt and losing out on $2.5 million.

[RD]

Apple pays Jeff Garcia 99 cents every time he listens to a song.

[Kamikaze Baconator Deluxe]

Jeff Garcia can kill two stones with one bird.

[Dale]

So, for all of you people that are crying about this. Does this mean that if Gruden had allowed Garcia to play the final 2 games and he got hurt, that you would now stop bashing Gruden for actually playing him in those games? Can't have it both ways, kids.

[Eric Zeir]

Chuck Norris and Jeff Garcia walked into a bar. The bar was instantly destroyed, as that level of awesome cannot be contained in one building.

[raiderfan]

T.O. had it rite about Garcia. You can pay him 200 mill and he'll take the Bucs nowhere but down. Trade him for some better looking cheerleaders. You'll be glad you did.

[raiderfan]

T.O. had it rite about Garcia. You can pay him 200 mill and he'll take the Bucs nowhere but down. Trade him for some better looking cheerleaders. You'll be glad you did.

[DR]

Little known medical fact: Jeff Garcia invented the Caesarean section when he roundhouse-kicked his way out of his monther's womb.

[Jessica Simpson]

When Jeff Garcia does a pushup, he isn't lifting himself up, he's pushing the Earth down. Sorry, Tony.

[Ron Burgundy]

Wo hu cang long. The translation from Mandarin Chinese reads: "Crouching Jeff, Hidden Garcia"

[JR]

he would have made 5 million total last year even if he wasnt the starter so it looks like this contract could have gone both ways, we could have been paying 5 million to be a backup and he signed that contract because he knew he was in the money regardless of his playing time and now that he had a good year he wants the money that he deserves, cant have it both ways now can we. Anyways the dude is 38 with one year remaining on his contract. i would hope that we have a young qb at the helm for the 09 season anyway.

[Bdiddy]

THEN THE TICKETS WOULD HAVE BEEN RAISED ANOTHER 25%.

[d]

your all fools...He signed the contract. The Bucs can do whatever they want and he's still a millionaire. I want him as our Qb but all these comments are overblown and insane.

[wally]

Duh--it's all Gruden's fault. Don't you guys read the local papers?!? BTW, so is free agency and our ticket prices. He actually is responsible for everything. Even your crappy life.

[Larry S]

Garcia was benched the last two games because he played well enough during the season (Team MVP) to wrap up the Division Title with time to spare. He should'nt be penalized for that to the tune of two million! Bruce, please rework the contract and pay the man!

[Jimmy G.]

This whole thing is starting to remind me of a certain owner we used to have.....hummmmm. Culverhouse?????? I hope the Glaziers are not dumping all the CA$H into that soccer team...

[Larry S]

Without the great proformance from Jeff at the beginning of the year before our OL had a chance to gel this season could of been pretty ugly. Bruce, you and Jon could of been sent packing, rather than receiving an extension. Do you really want to create bad Karma by penalizing the man who helped you have a respectable season?

[bmay1]

if he got hurt in the last game of the season, and got his extra millions, what would you say then? i could give a crap less about an nfl players money. all i know is that a round one loss on the entire team means they were one game better then the worst team in the league. their team record was just good enough to beat the rest of the crappy teams in the south. show me something worth seeing next year, and ill plead his case.

[Rodger]

Garcia is a team player and understands the he and others sat some in the last 2 games. I personally dont think he earned the 2 or 3 million and im sure the team didnt think he earned his money or they would have played him just to get the incentive.

[Tim]

You really believe that,Roger ??? They would have played him just to get the incentive ???!!! I'm laughing really hard right now !!!

[Mike T.]

Bruce and Jon had it all figured out at the beginning of the season. They knew Jeff would play well enough to clinch the South Div, get hurt for a few games, and then they could sit him and not lose the $2.5 MIL. @$%@#$%#@ happens!

[Tony M.]

You know, it really gets to me that I had to start adding the M to my name because of this d-bag.

[Tony]

Only an idiot would think that Gruden sat Garcia because of his contract. As Stephen pointed out, Garcia did miss two hames with a back injury, he comes back against San Fran and who proceeds to absolutely pummell Garcia in the first half, with the Referees letting their retiring all-pro DE hit Garcia high, low and late. That is why Garcia came against San Fran. and sat against the Panthers. Now, does Garcia deserve a small bumb in pay? Sure he does, but remember that he is a veteran, he signed his contract, he knows how the NFL works, so don't get all gushy for him.

[Tony G.]

I hear you Tony M.!! :)

[Csas]

I'm all for paying a person and all but he did sign the contract and must have been aware of the implications of missing those pay thresholds. I do believe we paid him $5 million without those incentives. IS $5 MILLION NOT ENOUGH FREAKING MONEY? Our economy crashes down around us and gas costs more than anything but people worry about paying a quarterback a bonus? Forget it.

[John]

Both fishwraps are into drama fests, they make much more out of something said then what's needed.

Thanks for putting together great Fox News-like coverage.

[Tony MG]

I love lamp

[Tony Tiger]

You people are all missing the point... Allen is trying to single handedly change the way business is done in the NFL. How many "stars" turn into turds as soon as they get that big free agency contract or high dollar extension?

[mm]

Hey Tater mitts you bubba mark. i wasn't implying that he lost the game for us just that if we had won he would have got more reps in the following game to make his quota.

[Mike/ Orlando]

For crying out loud I don't see people on here bitching about the 7.5 we gave Sims to ride shotgun. Frankly I don't care about the bonus. My issue is that I paid to see starters in those games and got back ups instead at nearly every position. We were not good enough to take games off. I can't stand hearing people talk about Ohhh we clinched sit everybody.. When your an average team in a shi* division you have to play all the time and bring the momentum to the playoffs. Just my .02

[Tony L.]

This is stupid........ Gruden hates losing more than prostate exams. He sat him because he needed him for the play offs. He was not thiking about the money! Should they pay him?.. Yes. Should it be a Block buster deal? Hell no. But he deserves something. Throw him a bone. We are not the same team without him.

[Joseph Garcia]

Man you guys have to realize that Garcia has the heart to play football he isn't a scared quarterback he gets up after every hit. When ur team mates see that that makes them motivated to play even harder. Also they lost in the playoffs...to the f'in giants who ended up wining the super bowl so c'mon. if they are giving gruden an extension they should give garcia one too cause that guy plays like a young guy so in this argument age is irrelevant. ur all homo(s)....sepians!