Dannell Ellerbe's "Performance" Cashes In
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 19, 2010 9:23 AM EDT
34 comments
Undrafted rookie linebacker Dannell Ellerbe ended up being one of the most pleasant surprises and another great find by the Baltimore Ravens last season. Coming out of the University of Georgia, Ellerbe was at one point thought to be one of the better linebackers in the draft, but an injury that derailed his senior season and some off the field issues had him sitting at home without a team when the 2009 NFL Draft ended.
Luckily for him, he received a phone call right after the final pick was announced and the Ravens not only invited him to Training Camp but also gave him a cash bonus, unusual for undrafted players. Ellerbe's hard work in camp paid off and by the end of the 2009 season, he was usually found on the field next to Ray Lewis and making some solid plays, earning heaps of praise from coaches, players and fans as well.
All of that playing time paid off, as Ellerbe received a "performance-based pay" bonus of $245,395, easily more than his contracted salary for the season.
Where does that number come from? Performance-based pay is actually an integral part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and due to the fact that it was terminated as of March 5th, it will not be part of the 2010 season, which could mean hundreds of thousands of dollars to many younger NFL players in 2010. In 2009, the NFL set aside approximately $3.5 million to distribute to players whose salaries were nowhere near commensurate with the amount of playing time they received, usually unexpectedly during the season. The league has a specific formula as part of the CBA that refigures what a player should be making in comparison to others at his position based on the amount of playing time they receive.
Therefore, based on the fact that Ellerbe's playing time greatly exceeded expectations, his salary was readjusted to an amount that earned him the extra cash.Congrats to Dannell and I guess drinks are on you tonight!
Here is a link to a site that lists each team's leader in performance-based pay.
Here is a link to the Wikipedia description of the system, although it is a few years old and not officially verified.
Here is a link to the NFL.com story about performance-based pay for the 2008 season.
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A little early for a long term deal.
But he easily earned every dollar of the bonus.
"I wouldn't mind seeing someone erase my record of hitting into four triple plays" - Brooks
“All of that playing time paid off, as Ellerbe received a “performance-based pay” bonus of $245,395, easily more than his contracted salary for the season."
I thought league minimum was right under 600 G’s? Or is that veteran minimum salaries?
I thought rookie minimus was someting near 300k
I don’t think it gets to 600k until like year 6 or so.
Ellerbe
Watching Ellerbe on Short Cuts (Direct TV) and Games from 2009, I see an athletic playmaking LB with a lot of upside. Good for him that he got the performance base pay. It’s a shame he will not get that opportunity in 2010 because of the lack of a CBA. The arrow’s up for Ellerbe.
You are correct and I am not
His 2009 salary was $310,000.
Here is the link to the USAToday.com site that has every player’s 2009 salary.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 19, 2010 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Easy to find these type of LB's for Ozzie
Hopefully we can land a huge Mike LB in the early rounds of the draft like we did for Ray… and very soon.
Spikes ran 5+ sec in all his 40 attempts. I doubt he can cover TE’s and RB’s in the NFL. If we draft him in the second I’ll be pissed.
Agreed
Spikes lost a lot of money at the Florida Pro Day. Spikes will be a player. He’s probably a 2 down player but a player notheless.
Yeah, whatever!
Watch the film! If he falls to the second round, someone is stealing a first round talent and an every-down linebacker. Guys like Spikes play faster than their 40 time. I hope he falls to 57. Ozzie would draft him in a heart-beat.
He wont to 57, but we can dream. He will go in the top 10 of the 2nd round probably.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
I like the guy
I’d want him on the team. Just saying, some teams will downgrade him because of the 40 time.
Does our Front Office excel at finding great linebackers? Or do they all just look good in our system? Example: E Hartwell, A Thomas, B Scott, etc.
"I kill myself in small amounts"
by StuckInUtah on Mar 19, 2010 10:30 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I think it's a little bit of both
Great coaches scheme to fit the players and of cousre the player has to perform for the coach. Ray Lewis earlier in his career had to be “protected” by heavy 3 technique DT’s so that he could run and hit. Ozzie is awesome. Not sure why he doesn’t win FO Executive of the Year at least every other year.
I agree it is a little of both.
But does it really matter? If he is only good at finding these LB’s that look great in our system, is that any different or worse than drafting a great LB. If that is the case than it is even more support for just grabbing a ton of undrafted FA’s and turning them all into a Bart Scott, I’m fine with that. Hell Bellicheat won multiple SB’s with less than amazing LB talent who looked great in his defense.
by ATXRaven on Mar 19, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed, well said.
"I kill myself in small amounts"
by StuckInUtah on Mar 19, 2010 11:09 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Playing next to Ray makes a huge difference
It is really that simple.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 19, 2010 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I saw Tavares Gooden in Federal Hill on St. Patrick's Day
I was really drunk in a bar and he was standing outside the arch of the entrance. I shouted his name and he turned and waved. I waved back, he kind of grinned, that’s it. I was probably the only person to notice him that night, based on his surprised expression.
What happened to him? IMO, he lost his job to an undrafted rookie free agent. He got hurt, Ellerbe got a chance, and never earned his job back. In the beginning of the season he put on like 15 lbs and could still probably run a high 4.4 40. We had high expectations—he was from Miami and playing next to Ray, pretty sweet. What happened?
by PurpleNorangeNbeer on Mar 20, 2010 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions
T-Good was a disappointment
and even with the additional pounds, he still looked thin, especially for an inside linebacker. Ellerbe seemed to be in better locations on the field and much more aggressive an solid hitter than Gooden, which was disappointing to all of us, but at least we found the next great inside linebacker anyway last season, in Ellerbe.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 20, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Ellerbe is only listed at around 236. Can we expect him to pack on some weight this offseason? I mean Schwarzeneggar was 6’ 2" 235 when he was at his biggest, or most ideal weight (I read his book, don’t ask). Is the reason that Ellerbe was not drafted because he may have a recurring injury? Because of a knee injury, Cornelius Ingram didn’t go until 6-7 round last year, when he should have gone in the 2nd at the least. Are we due for a massive disappointment, now that we all have our hopes up?
by PurpleNorangeNbeer on Mar 20, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I would hope all of us are staying optimistic about Ellerbeast. He did have some injury problems, but he also played through some injuries to his hand last year. I think him coming on strong at the end of the season and especially in the playoffs where he was a monster against the Colts should lead us all to believe that he will be a very, very good LB for us. Another Ozzie steal.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Bellicheat, nice
Yup, he hasn’t won shit since he got caught for spygate.(I still hold it against him too… MF’ing cheater)
It's half because I still hold it against him...
and half because I can never remember how to spell his name.
Ellerbeast
Gotta love the kid. He was supposed to be a first round pick before he got hurt in his senior season. We got first round talent without even using a draft pick.
And it should also so say something about him that he missed basically all of training camp and still made this team. That is how much Ozzie thinks of this guy.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Gotta love ’em Georgia boys.Eron is next.
by Georgia Raven on Mar 19, 2010 12:46 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
D..........Fence
With the ofeensive additons and a ball control offense the defenses time on the field will be alot less,so the D just got a whole lot better and with returning injuries,we should be sitting good.Ellerbe earned the spot,he was everywhere and Tavares time is coming,he is supposedly a physical freak,time will tell,but it is time for Suggs to put his hand in the dirt and get after the QB,unless he comes to camp in excellent shape which he didn’t last year,he needs to be our primary weapon on the d-line,because he demands a double team as does Ngata,which allows holes in the opposing offensive scheme.We grew as a team last year,we are a force to be reckoned with,now we need to draft to fill needs and backups,it is our time…seize the moment!!!
I can see the future
and if Ellerbe and Spikes are manning the inside LB’s, that will keep us at the top of the defenses in the league IMO.
aka 'Rexx'
Great Player is Ellerbeast
I hope T-Good comes around though…….I just thought his characteristics were so similar to Ray’s when he was first drafted. I would be disappointed if he amount to anything and I"m sure all the Miami U alumni will too. I don’t know about Spikes though. He has issues controlling his emotions sometimes too. Remember when he punted the ball in that game? We have enough of those players already!
by Dfense4champs2052 on Apr 5, 2010 3:37 AM EDT reply actions
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