The Michael Vick news has temporarily turned the volume down on the rest of the happenings around the NFL. (PFT has written 74 Vick posts alone since the news broke.)
So let’s start catching up, starting with the terms of Packers defensive lineman B.J. Raji’s new contract, agreed to just before the Vick news popped.
Raji signed a five-year deal worth $28 million, with guaranteed money just under $18 million, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
It looks like a fair deal for Raji, if the numbers hold up. His deal reportedly represents a 40 percent increase in total value compared to last year’s No. 9 pick (Keith Rivers), and an increase of about 15 percent in guarantees.
Raji’s numbers will essentially set the ceiling for Michael Crabtree, the tenth overall pick. Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat writes that the 49ers will not give Crabtree more guaranteed money than Raji.
Perhaps the only wiggle room for Crabtree would be if he agreed to a six-year deal. Then he could gain the appearance of “busting his slot” in exchange for an extra year of service.
If that doesn’t happen, it appears we’ll just have to wait until the 49ers receiver and his agent blink.