NO. I don't think so. Maybe 5-6, but we can't afford that, especialy with Brees demanding too much.

Not $9M. Ray Lewis only makes $7. He'd be about a $4-$6 IMO. Based on the breakdown I did of him, he's solid. Definitely worth the $6.6M cap hit Vilma would carry.

Yeah, I just don't see the Saints paying Lofton (or even being able to) that type of money - $8-9M/yr.

A good comparison is the Ahmad Brooks contract the 49ers gave him in February - 6-years for $44.5M with $17.5M guaranteed. That's an average of $7.4M/yr.

Brooks is 27, so just a little older than Lofton, but IMHO Brooks is a (much) better player than Lofton is, although they play different roles - Brooks being an OLB in a 3-4 base defense.


Paul Posluszny is making an average of $7M/yr, Chad Greenway is making $8.2/yr, and DeMeco Ryans is making $8M/yr - these are all MLBs, around the same age as Lofton, and all are better players than Lofton.

Comparing to those 3 MLBs, Lofton should be making around $5-6M/yr, but the salary market isn't always fair and equal.


Hawthorne might be more affordable, but it seems like the Saints might be targeting Lofton as their primary target.

Good comparison. I think they want Lofton due to his dominance. Pay extra for the top notch performer. I think all the courting they're doing is trying to "impress" him to take less cash. If he buys into the system + the winning = less money for a ring.

I like, no looove the fact that Lofton plays so many snaps.

Could you imagine such a healthy player in New Orleans? (shocking)

But I don't care how many snaps you play - if you can't cover the pass, you're not worth the money.

We have a winner...:bng:

Considering the level he's played, age, projections forward - I should think 5mil per annum increasing 15% each year for four years + fifth season option, 10 mil guaranteed, 5.5 mil signing bonus should be appropriate contract.

Where do I sing? :-)

Kamerion Wimbley reportedly signed a 5-yr $35M contract, which amounts to a $7M/yr average salary, so if Lofton is looking for a $8-9M/yr contract - think again.

NFL.com Blogs » Blog Archive Ex-Raiders LB Wimbley close to signing deal with Titans «


Stephen Tulloch is probably an even better comparison to Lofton's skill-set, and his new 5-year contract with the Lions is believed to be for around $40M, which would equate to an average yearly salary of $8M/yr.

Detroit Lions re-sign Tulloch among others | Yardbarker.com


There's no way a team should be paying Lofton what Wimbley and Tulloch are being payed, at least in my opinion.