I think LT would be paid a top-5 NFL salary. Probably in line with the highest paid QB. That's assuming his impact would be the same - the guy was a defensive wrecking ball, he was #1 on the list of things the opposing team had to account for every week.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Lawrence Taylor is back with the New York Giants as the highest-paid defensive player in the history of professional football.
He signed a contract extension Wednesday that will pay him $4.6 million through 1992. Then he took part in the afternoon practice and said he would be ready for at least some duty Sunday night in the season opener here against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The All-Pro outside linebacker, who was in the option year of his contract, was supposed to be paid $1.21 million this year. He held out for 44 days while trying to get a contract extension worth $2 million a year.
A source with knowledge of the negotiations said Taylor`s salary and signing bonus would total $1.6 million per year, and his salary would be about $1.5 million in 1991 and about $1.5 million in 1992. At Taylor`s request, some of that money will be deferred. He can earn additional money from what his agent, Joe Courrege, called ``generous incentives.``
The highest previous salary for a defensive player was the $1.35 million the Eagles are paying this year to defensive end Reggie White.
San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana will earn $4 million this year.
and he would never hit the open market. At that point they would end up giving him the highest paid contract for a defensive player. But if LT were around today, with facebook, twitter, everyone with a smartphone, Goodell would probably have suspended him already.
going against todays 320lb OTs as opposed to the average then, 270 or what have you:
It is a very different game in that respect.
That said, he had off the charts balance and athleticism and instincts, power and toughness, so if one can get around an OT without being touched, that can be helpful.
Never the less, it IS a new game now. I linked DE bruce smith recently, played during a similar time frame at 265, closer to a 4/3 player...no reason DEs don't continue to get bigger (yes, LT was 3/4 LB, so shit) as long as they have unusual A/A as well, caveat emptor on a few of them this draft.
He played a stand up OLB, same type of role as Von Miller or Clay Matthews (before he became hybrid MLB) play the position that LT "invented".
Sure, he was "only" 245-250 but he didn't workout at all, if he played in today's game he'd be a freakish 260-265lb but with the agility/speed that made him special coming off the edge.
And, I personally think DE's in a 4-3 seem to be getting smaller. Game is all about pass rush nowadays, and guys down around 260 or so are quicker around the edge, and not as much run responsibility so they can play lighter.
Unfortunately he would probably be banned for drugs
If he played today the drug policy would probably would have caught him. I loved watching him play but always wondered if he was able to abuse his body like that because of the drugs.
In any event, he would still be one of the greatest. In addition to the talent, he gave 100% on every play which is what made him great. There are plenty of guys around the NFL that have great talent, but many take plays off. his weight owuld not have been an issue. If I recall Strahan dropped weight his last few seasons to become quicker and was still pretty dominant.
His contract would probably average $20-25MM/year.
The sticky part would be the guaranteed money and the language protecting the team against him getting into trouble.
Think about this: As the #2 pick in the draft, Taylor would have signed a four-year contract with a team option for year five (1985). If he played out that deal and signed a new one in 1986, he would have justified his monster second contract with possibly the greatest regular season by a defensive player in the history of the game. By the time he crossed the goal line after his interception of Montana in the divisional round, we'd have been hailing George Young for an epic bargain.
I think LT would be paid a top-5 NFL salary. Probably in line with the highest paid QB. That's assuming his impact would be the same - the guy was a defensive wrecking ball, he was #1 on the list of things the opposing team had to account for every week.
Don't disagree but Suh's the high watermark for defensive players.
He signed a contract extension Wednesday that will pay him $4.6 million through 1992. Then he took part in the afternoon practice and said he would be ready for at least some duty Sunday night in the season opener here against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The All-Pro outside linebacker, who was in the option year of his contract, was supposed to be paid $1.21 million this year. He held out for 44 days while trying to get a contract extension worth $2 million a year.
A source with knowledge of the negotiations said Taylor`s salary and signing bonus would total $1.6 million per year, and his salary would be about $1.5 million in 1991 and about $1.5 million in 1992. At Taylor`s request, some of that money will be deferred. He can earn additional money from what his agent, Joe Courrege, called ``generous incentives.``
The highest previous salary for a defensive player was the $1.35 million the Eagles are paying this year to defensive end Reggie White.
San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana will earn $4 million this year.
LA Times says $1.6M
going against todays 320lb OTs as opposed to the average then, 270 or what have you:
It is a very different game in that respect.
That said, he had off the charts balance and athleticism and instincts, power and toughness, so if one can get around an OT without being touched, that can be helpful.
Never the less, it IS a new game now. I linked DE bruce smith recently, played during a similar time frame at 265, closer to a 4/3 player...no reason DEs don't continue to get bigger (yes, LT was 3/4 LB, so shit) as long as they have unusual A/A as well, caveat emptor on a few of them this draft.
Tackles:
1,112
Sacks:
198.0
Forced fumbles:
33
3INTs 3TDs
JJ Watt isn't in LT's universe. Watt is so overrated.
Quote:
JJ Watt becomes a FA.. There isn't another player today thats as impactful as LT..
JJ Watt isn't in LT's universe. Watt is so overrated.
fuckin' A right. NO comparison.
Jim Lachey 6'6" 294 lbs with better footwork too.
Sure, he was "only" 245-250 but he didn't workout at all, if he played in today's game he'd be a freakish 260-265lb but with the agility/speed that made him special coming off the edge.
And, I personally think DE's in a 4-3 seem to be getting smaller. Game is all about pass rush nowadays, and guys down around 260 or so are quicker around the edge, and not as much run responsibility so they can play lighter.
In any event, he would still be one of the greatest. In addition to the talent, he gave 100% on every play which is what made him great. There are plenty of guys around the NFL that have great talent, but many take plays off. his weight owuld not have been an issue. If I recall Strahan dropped weight his last few seasons to become quicker and was still pretty dominant.
Think about this: As the #2 pick in the draft, Taylor would have signed a four-year contract with a team option for year five (1985). If he played out that deal and signed a new one in 1986, he would have justified his monster second contract with possibly the greatest regular season by a defensive player in the history of the game. By the time he crossed the goal line after his interception of Montana in the divisional round, we'd have been hailing George Young for an epic bargain.