Chiefs4life24
06-06-2016, 02:35 PM
Vikings' Harrison Smith latest young star to sign whopper dealhttp://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/sports/2013-10-01/06dc06c6-576d-4127-8e43-1c7a2693dcc2_ed.jpg (http://sports.yahoo.com/author/eric-edholm/) By Eric Edholm (http://sports.yahoo.com/author/eric-edholm/) 4 hours ago Shutdown Corner (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/)
Minnesota Vikings (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/min/) safety Harrison Smith (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/25739/) got an extension that almost sets a benchmark for the position.
Smith signed a five-year, $51.25 million that includes a $10 million signing bonus and $15.27 million fully guaranteed, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter (https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/739804503470313473). At an average of more than $10 million per year, Smith becomes the second highest-paid safety in the league, trailing only the Kansas City Chiefs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/kan/)' Eric Berry (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/23980/), who got a one-year franchise tender at $10.8 million.
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http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/PJ3JAyFSi9NlLDhKyc3JuA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3NfbGVnbztxPTg1O3c9MzEw/http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/Sports/AP_NFL/201409071504542702330-p5.jpgHarrison Smith got a reported five-year, $51.125 million extension with the Vikings. (AP)
On the surface it sounds like a hefty price for Smith, but it could turn out to be a bargain. Safety is a tough position to find players as dependable, smart and versatile as Smith is, and he's playing a key role in Mike Zimmer's scheme. Facing three gun-slinging quarterbacks in the NFC North makes Smith a valuable commodity, either as a back-half coverage player or one who can defend the run up in the box or match up with receiving backs and tight ends.
With Berry, Tyrann Mathieu (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/26692/) and a few other young safeties due to get big deals, Smith's $10 million per average and his relatively modest guaranteed money might pale in comparison, especially as the salary cap continues to soar at a rate of $10 million (or more) per year
Minnesota Vikings (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/min/) safety Harrison Smith (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/25739/) got an extension that almost sets a benchmark for the position.
Smith signed a five-year, $51.25 million that includes a $10 million signing bonus and $15.27 million fully guaranteed, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter (https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/739804503470313473). At an average of more than $10 million per year, Smith becomes the second highest-paid safety in the league, trailing only the Kansas City Chiefs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/kan/)' Eric Berry (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/23980/), who got a one-year franchise tender at $10.8 million.
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http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/PJ3JAyFSi9NlLDhKyc3JuA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3NfbGVnbztxPTg1O3c9MzEw/http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/Sports/AP_NFL/201409071504542702330-p5.jpgHarrison Smith got a reported five-year, $51.125 million extension with the Vikings. (AP)
On the surface it sounds like a hefty price for Smith, but it could turn out to be a bargain. Safety is a tough position to find players as dependable, smart and versatile as Smith is, and he's playing a key role in Mike Zimmer's scheme. Facing three gun-slinging quarterbacks in the NFC North makes Smith a valuable commodity, either as a back-half coverage player or one who can defend the run up in the box or match up with receiving backs and tight ends.
With Berry, Tyrann Mathieu (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/26692/) and a few other young safeties due to get big deals, Smith's $10 million per average and his relatively modest guaranteed money might pale in comparison, especially as the salary cap continues to soar at a rate of $10 million (or more) per year