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Thursday, July 13, 2000

Klemm a
7-figure Patriot

The left tackle is the third
former Rainbow to come
to terms with an NFL
team this summer

By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin

BOSTON, Mass. -- Former University of Hawaii left tackle Adrian Klemm has concluded a five-year deal with the New England Patriots worth $3.5 million, according to his agent, Ralph Cindrich.

The contract calls for Klemm to get a $1,225,000 signing bonus.

Cindrich said that if Klemm becomes a starter any time within the first four years, he will get an additional $700,000.

Klemm damaged the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee on June 3 in a Patriots mini camp scrimmage and will be sidelined throughout camp and possibly much of the season.

But Cindrich, a former Patriots player, said he was pleased with the fact that the team treated Klemm as though he'd never been injured.

Klemm was the Patriots' first pick in this year's National Football League draft, taken as the 15th pick of the second round.

"I'm very satisfied with it (contract)," said Klemm this morning by cellular phone while awaiting his ride to rookie camp in Foxboro, Mass.

His deal also contain a variety of "escalators" that would make him even richer if he gets to the Super Bowl or Pro Bowl.

"Negotiations were hard but they went smoothly," said Cindrich, who said talks ended late last night.

Klemm and teammates Jeff Ulbrich ( linebacker, third round, 49ers) and Kaulana Noa (offensive lineman, fourth round, Rams) reportedly have all come to terms with their teams. They were the first Rainbows drafted into the NFL in six years.

The Patriots re-signed Pro Bowl left tack tackle Bruce Armstrong yesterday in the expectation that Klemm could be out much of the season. Armstrong had been cut by the team in February after playng the final games of last season with a torn left anterior cruciate ligament.

He signed a $440,000 base salary with incentives to make seven figures.

"They're saying it's possible I could come back toward the end of the season," said Klemm. "It just depends on how I heal. I'm doing well. I don't have any more swelling in my knee, so it's matter of getting better strength and making sure that it's stable."

Klemm said that even though he can't train, he is attending meetings and lifting with his new teammates.

"Then I go to practice and watch," he said.