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Faine Is Highest-Paid Center Ever
Posted Feb 29, 2008 by Roy Cummings
Updated Feb 29, 2008 at 04:28 PM

The numbers are in on the Jeff Faine deal, and they’re huge.
Faine signed a six-year, $37.5 million package that includes $15 million in guaranteed payouts. The deal is also believed to call for Faine to receive $20 million in the first three years.
Not bad for a player who was let go so the Browns could sign LeCharles Bentley.
In case you’re wondering, that’s the biggest deal ever signed by a center in the NFL.
The deal the Bucs have offered for TE John Gilmore is slightly less lucrative but it’s better than the three-year package offered by the Bears, who only wanted to give him minimum salaries and a modest signing bonus.
It may be sometime tomorrow, though, before Gilmore signs on with the Bucs. His flight to Tampa has been delayed and he may not make it in to town in time to take a physical tonight.
One other note, it looks like LB Demorrio Williams will visit the Bucs on Monday. He is scheduled to visit the Bears on Tuesday and is in Kansas City today.
Does anyone else see a pattern here. All three teams Williams is visiting play the Tampa 2 defense.
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Reader Comments
Por (Andre Hernandez) on February 29, 2008 (Suggest removal)
37.5 million for an often injured center?
Suggest removalterrible waste of money?
YES
Por (Marion Busby) on February 29, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Wow we probably could have gotten him for $25-$30 million. Dang he better pick-up all blitz package on madden 09.
Suggest removalPor (Season Ticket Holder) on February 29, 2008 (Suggest removal)
This guy better stay healthy and not miss a block all season. We’d better have plans for more impact players. Gilmore Grape at TE?? We have more pressing needs. Go get Asante and bring him home!
Suggest removalPor (buddy mckendree) on February 29, 2008 (Suggest removal)
We have 44 million dollars of cap space and a chance to get one of the best corners in the game, and we sit and do nothing to get him. Wasted oppurtunity…
Suggest removalPor (Bob Gillis) on February 29, 2008 (Suggest removal)
asante samuels was overrated, eagles paid too much.
Suggest removalPor (Jim Andrews) on February 29, 2008 (Suggest removal)
All this cap on here shows that you guys are absolutely inept at gauging talent, and know very little about football. We could have had Samuel if we wanted I have watched player after player leave the New England defense and never have success anywhere else…
Suggest removalPor (Jim Andrews) on February 29, 2008 (Suggest removal)
What part says he’s oft injured? Every thing I’ve read says he’s one of the best young centers in football. Anyone remember that we have no center? That’s the most pressing need we have period…
Suggest removalPor (andy norton) on February 29, 2008 (Suggest removal)
I agree completley with you, we need a center and we landed a great one. Remember it all starts up front. We will find a tampa 2 coner. We need to focus on offense, Good defensive players want to play for good us. We need to recruit TE and Wide outs and finally be a well rounded team. Not just defensive. Monte can turn Chicken ##### into chicken salad. Lets not forget last year
Suggest removalPor (Dex fields) on February 29, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Alot of fans expect less-you have money and do not improve the team.Thats alot of money to not sign Samuel or Briggs-PLAYERMAKERS.Keep thinking we have a great defense until we play better teams this season.
Suggest removalPor (les levy) on February 29, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Faine was good but at 37.5 mil he better be great. Oh by the way take Jason David as your cover 2 guy….please…...WHO DAT
Suggest removalPor (buddy mckendree) on February 29, 2008 (Suggest removal)
We need a corner and a playmaking wr, period. Our schedule this year is way tougher and we need to spend some of that 44 million on PLAYMAKERS, why aren’t we goin after Walker or Berrian. Even on defense, how about justin Smith, we have holes at de with the release of spires and carter.
Suggest removalPor (jr) on March 01, 2008 (Suggest removal)
We certainly weren’t going anywhere with Wade at center. We was a stiff.
Suggest removalPor (james p. nault) on March 01, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Way too much money to pay for a center! And why do we have to have the “best paid” center in the league? And there are far too many other holes to fill. I question the wisdom of this call!
Suggest removalPor (travis kamann) on March 01, 2008 (Suggest removal)
we had Lehr to take Wades place but whatever now for get about the caddy hes done pick up Julius Jones J.J. and Graham with our line unstoppable!!! p.s. Adams Haye Stroud White. huh now thats a D line
Suggest removalPor (Quentin) on March 02, 2008 (Suggest removal)
“The deal is also believed to call for Faine to receive $20 million in the first three years.”
At least it’s front-loaded. We’re projected to be in great shape for the next 3 years, so this isn’t likely to cause problems down the road.
Suggest removal