Thursday, December 31, 1998
Associated Press
Maa Tanuvasa sacks New England
quarterback Drew Bledsoe.
Tanuvasa gets
$8.9 million
He chooses a six-year deal from
By Alex Marvez
the Denver Broncos instead
of trying the free-agent market
Scripps Howard News ServiceDENVER -- Denver Broncos defensive end Maa Tanuvasa is not a gambling man.
Rather than play out his contract and test the lucrative NFL free-agent market possibly as early as the year 2000, Tanuvasa has agreed to a six-year, $8.9 million contract extension with the Denver Broncos.
"It's the injury factor," Tanuvasa said yesterday. "The deal might not be there if you get hurt. There's a lot of security there for me and my family."
Tanuvasa concedes he probably could have made more money by waiting. He was signed through the year 2000 but could have voided the final year of his contract through playing time incentives that, judging by his performance this season, he almost was certain to reach. In his first year as a starting end, Tanuvasa finished tied with defensive tackle Trevor Pryce for the team lead in sacks with 8.5. He also registered 53 tackles and recovered two fumbles.
But Tanuvasa's $2.4 million signing bonus -- the only guaranteed part of the contract -- is less than those given by the Broncos to fellow ends Neil Smith ($3.2 million) and Alfred Williams ($3 million). In fact, Williams -- whom Tanuvasa replaced in the starting lineup this season -- signed his five-year, $9 million deal in 1995.
There's also no telling what Tanuvasa could have made in a free-agent market that grows increasingly more lucrative each season, especially because he also has the ability to play defensive tackle.
In 1998, San Francisco's Gabe Wilkins (five years, $20 million) and Cincinnati's John Copeland (five years, $15 million) signed free-agent deals that are considerably better than Tanuvasa's. Because of injuries, neither player made the impact Tanuvasa did in 1998.
Tanuvasa, though, is happy with his deal.
"I could have waited, but it's like hitting the lottery," he said. "I'm just happy to get it done. I should be financially set now as long as I invest it wisely."
