Ritchie Incognito Behind The Signing
By Dennis Amo
Sep 22, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins guard Richie Incognito (68) blocks Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (95) in the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Miami won 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Ritchie Incognito was the first signing for the Buffalo Bills and was a priority on their list to upgrade the offensive line, especially the interior. Ritchie Incognito was the guy they were looking at and is who they went after. Since Incognito’s signing there has been a lot of controversy as to why it was Incognito was the guy that the Buffalo Bills chose to be that guy to help solidify the interior of the offensive line.
Just listening to sports talk shows in the Buffalo area, has a lot of speculation as to whether or not Incognito should have even been signed. He does have a troubled past and it goes well past the NFL, into his college days. A report was put out that the Pegulas met with Rex Ryan, Doug Whaley and Ritchie Incognito and all came out on the same side. At least this is what they want us all to think. What happens behind closed doors is for those within that room to know.
As far as the deal that Incognito got, it is mainly incentive based with a 100k signing bonus attached to it.
"Incognito also got a $900,000 non-guaranteed base salary, roster bonuses of $21,875 for each game that he’s on the 46-man active roster (which would total $350,000 if he plays all 16 games), and playing-time incentives that begin if he takes 60 percent of the Bills’ offensive snaps and max at $800,000 if he plays 75 percent of the snaps in 2015. Incognito can also get a $100,000 workout bonus."
I like this deal because it is a performance and play based contract. If Incognito wants to play, then he has to make the roster each game and play more than 60% of the game. If he doesn’t then no money for him. This is very similar to the type of contract that Shawn Merriman was given, to make sure he performed to the standards that the team wanted.
With the controversy around bringing in Ritchie Incognito and whether or not he is an upgrade and will be their only signing at this position, the contract speaks for itself and will force Incognito to behave and make the field each and every game. If he decides to screw-up and get in trouble, then he just won’t get paid and if it is serious enough, he finds himself the boot and will most likely be out of football for his remaining athletic ability.