Pacman Jones Can Earn Big Money

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

As if he didn’t have enough personal incentive to straighten up his life and keep his nose clean, Dallas Cowboys defensive back Pacman Jones has a major financial motivation as well. Less than a week ago, Pacman signed a four-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys worth $13.3 million. But, he has a chance to earn even more should he hit an “escalator” that would raise his 2011 base salary to the franchise tag for a cornerback.

If Pacman is reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before training camp this summer (and there’s no reason to believe that won’t happen), he will earn a $700,000 base salary with no signing bonus this season. His base salaries will total $4.7 million in the first three years of the deal, but there’s a huge jump in 2011. The base salaries in 2009-2011 are $1 million, $3 million and — whoa — $7.25 million. He has March roster bonuses in each of those years worth $250,000; $255,000 and $345,000. He also has $250,000 workout bonuses in 2009 and 2010.

In order to really cash in, though, Pacman has to play at a high level. If he is named to two Pro Bowls or intercepts seven passes in any two of the first three seasons and participates in 65 percent of the snaps, his base salary would jump up to the 2011 franchise tender, making him one of the NFL’s highest-paid cornerbacks. Now those are some pretty convincing reasons to stay out of trouble and play well.

Source: DallasNews.com, Photo: Newscom