Mark VI Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 Bills | Gates Signed - from www.KFFL.com Wed, 1 Jun 2005 07:40:37 -0700 ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports the Buffalo Bills have signed seventh-round choice RB Lionel Gates to a three-year, $959,000 contract. The deal includes a $34,000 signing bonus and league standard minimum base salaries for all three years. Gates can also return kickoffs and is expected to play principally on special teams in his rookie season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brihs2005 Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 3 year deal for a 7th round pick? I don't remember that being the norm. Does anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frez Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 Good for him and right now he's getting most of the reps in camp because our other 2 backs don't think they need to be there. GO GATES! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2003Contenders Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 I wouldn't read too much into the 3-year deal, since salaries are not guranteed in the NFL. It just allows the team to only have to account for 1/3 of his signing bonus against the cap this year. With that said, if Gates performs well in camp and contributes to Special Teams, he has a very good chance of making the team. We know how TD covets his draft picks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 Does anyone else here think that Gates is going to end up being a excellent back for us? I just have a feeling about the guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROCCEO Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 3 year deals are pretty much the standard for all 4th round picks and below(even some 3rd rounders). That way by the end of their contract, they become restricted free agents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeF Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 3 year deals are pretty much the standard for all 4th round picks and below(even some 3rd rounders). That way by the end of their contract, they become restricted free agents. 348873[/snapback] That's right Roc. Its essentially a 4 year deal when you add the minimum qualifying offer most picks who contribute to the team are given at the end of the contract. If Lionel turns into a stud--he then would get an RFA qualifying offer that would up his compensation if he signed somewhere else as an RFA. An interesting situation to watch will be Terrence McGee's next off-season. He was a 4th round pick and his original deal expires at the end of the season I believe. The Bills will probably offer him a large qualifying offer that would require a first round pick in compensation if he signs elsewhere--but it has been reported that they are working on an extension for him. It would be nice to lock him up for 2 or 3 more years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 He was ok at Louisville - played 3rd fiddle rb for the bruising Eric Shelton and Michael Bush. In his defense, they were a 'run by committee" team last year. I was surprised at the pick, but you never know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 It just allows the team to only have to account for 1/3 of his signing bonus against the cap this year. Smart thinking by TD -- that $34,000 signing bonus could hurt us if we didn't cut it up into three parts! CW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopsGuy Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 Smart thinking by TD -- that $34,000 signing bonus could hurt us if we didn't cut it up into three parts! CW 348941[/snapback] I was thinking the same thing. $11,333 against the cap, but the guy could still get cut before the first bus unloads at Fisher. After taxes/agent's cut, this guy probably doesn have a whole lot of waking-around money in his pocket. Then again, he doesn't have to fight traffic to get to his cubicle each morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerJ Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 Good for him and right now he's getting most of the reps in camp because our other 2 backs don't think they need to be there. GO GATES! 348825[/snapback] I heard Rashard Lee was getting the lion's share. In any case, when the starter is missing it does give the understudies a chance to make up ground. I don't even think of Henry as a Bill any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted June 2, 2005 Share Posted June 2, 2005 I was thinking the same thing. $11,333 against the cap, but the guy could still get cut before the first bus unloads at Fisher. After taxes/agent's cut, this guy probably doesn have a whole lot of waking-around money in his pocket. Then again, he doesn't have to fight traffic to get to his cubicle each morning. 348954[/snapback] Just reading somewhere else that the bears signed a sixth rd pick with a $100k bonus. Dam, I didn't realize thre was that much differance between the rds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFanForever19 Posted June 2, 2005 Share Posted June 2, 2005 Darrick Holmes anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jokeman Posted June 2, 2005 Share Posted June 2, 2005 3 year deal for a 7th round pick? I don't remember that being the norm. Does anyone? 348819[/snapback] In signing him to a 3 year deal not only do we spread out the signing bonus (as others have mentioned) but when his contract is up he would be a Restricted Free Agent and easier to Re-sign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrader Posted June 2, 2005 Share Posted June 2, 2005 I haven't seen any other reports. Is he the first person from the draft to sign? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarthur31 Posted June 2, 2005 Share Posted June 2, 2005 Yes, the first Bill to sign. As training camp ends, most of the pics will have signed by then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrader Posted June 2, 2005 Share Posted June 2, 2005 Yes, the first Bill to sign. As training camp ends, most of the pics will have signed by then. 349871[/snapback] That much I know. I was wondering if he was the first in the NFL to sign. It really doesn't mean much, but I was curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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