Gaffney to receive largest bonus for second-rounder -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com The expansion Houston Texans concluded their draft-choice contract agreements Friday the same way they started them -- with a bang. Three months after signing quarterback and first overall selection David Carr to a six-year contract worth $47.25 million, the Texans secured the services of the wide receiver who likely will be his favorite target for many years, reaching agreement with second-rounder Jabar Gaffney on a monster deal. The former University of Florida standout, who was the first player chosen in the second round, will sign a seven-year contract worth $5.38 million. The signing bonus on the deal, $2.15 million, is the largest ever awarded a second-round choice. And the contract voids after just four seasons, allowing Gaffney to get back to the bargaining table, if he plays in just 15 percent of the offensive snaps this year or 30 percent in any season 2003-2005. The base salaries are $263,500 (for 2002), $329,375 (2003), 395,250 (2004), $461,125 (2005), $527,000 (2006), $592,875 (2007) and $658,750 (2008). Of course, the salaries for the 2006-2008 seasons will be voided. Gaffney, 21, can also earn about $1 million in incentives as a rookie and the contract is packed with bonus clauses. He will, for instance, earn $125,000 if he is named as the league's rookie of the year and would receive $75,000 each for more than 41 catches, more than 801 yards, 12 touchdowns or a per-catch average of 18.6 yards. Given his performance in mini-camps, when Gaffney developed a quick synergy with Carr, he is likely to start as a rookie. While there was some disappointment Gaffney was not chosen in the first round, his situation is actually enhanced by being selected by the Texans, since their receiving corps is thin. Unlike the three first-round wide receivers, he will not have to vie with proven veterans for playing time. In two seasons at Florida, he caught 138 passes for 2,375 yards and 27 touchdowns. His father, Derrick Gaffney, is also a former Gators star, who played 10 seasons with the New York Jets. The younger Gaffney is not blessed with great speed, but is more quick than fast, very fluid and possesses a natural gift for separating from cornerbacks. The agreement with Gaffney means the Texans now have deals with all of their league-high 12 choices in the draft and all will be on hand when the club opens its inaugural training camp on Saturday. Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
Hope your right Doc. The staff has been extremely happy with his performance so far. He and Carr are working alot after practices to get their timing down.
Doc moonlighting with some football opinions? Can you shed some light on why my Flyer's struggle in the playoffs?
Carr-Gaffney 2004: one of the better QB-WR duos in the NFL. I don't much care for Jabar, what with his tendancy to blab mindlessly at times, but he's got talent...it's just going to take him and Carr three years to fully realize it.
Those clauses tell me that Gaffney wants to be a great player who is vital to the offense. Yeah, I know he plays a key position, but he wants to play well. The Flyers stunk in the playoffs because they were the Astros of hockey last year in the playoffs. They only scored two goals all post season.
