FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Taking a closer look at the contract signed by running back LeGarrette Blount while examining what it means for the player and team:
Term/cash value: 1 year, $1 million
Signing bonus: $100,000
Base salary: $760,000
Incentives-1: $50,000 (based on rushing yards)
Incentives-2: $950,000 (based on rushing yards and Pro Bowl)
Roster bonus: $100,000 ($6,250 per game on 46-man game-day roster)
Workout bonus: $40,000
Split salary: $428,000
Salary cap charge: $1.025 million
This deal reflects how Blount isn't necessarily a roster lock, but has financial upside ($1 million in incentives and $100,000 in roster bonuses) should he make the roster, stay healthy and duplicate his efforts from last season. The lone guarantee is the $100,000 signing bonus, so if Blount doesn't make the club, he is still ensured to receive that total. If he commits to be present at the offseason program, which is likely, he'll get another $40,000. So the maximum value for Blount is $2 million and the floor is $140,000. Another wrinkle of note: Blount landed on season-ending injured reserve Dec. 13 with a hip injury and the Patriots protected themselves should he sustain a season-ending injury in the preseason by including a split salary ($428,000) that he would be paid in that scenario.
