Ram Salaries Revealed in a Survey : Brock Has a $1.94-Million Deal, but Ellard Is a Bargain

Dieter Brock may have had a so-so year as quarterback of the Rams, but his contract was strictly all-pro.

According to a salary survey of the National Football League Players Assn., Brock earned a base salary of $250,000 for the 1985 season but also agreed to a $310,000 signing bonus and a $300,000 loan.

The loan terms are particularly interesting. If Brock, 35, is still on the roster in 1987 and 1988, the loan will be forgiven by the Rams. If not, it becomes Brock’s responsibility. Brock also has arranged for his signing bonus to be deferred until 1989-93.

According to the terms of the loan, it would seem that the Rams have an incentive to cut Brock before the 1987 season, or earlier.

Brock would not comment on that, but his agent, Gil Scott, said there was no problem. Scott questioned the amount of the loan, however, saying that he wasn’t sure the figure was correct.

“Whatever the deal was, we were satisfied with it,” Scott said. “Most quarterbacks at that age are broken down or not in good health. Dieter has never blown a knee or anything like that, knock on wood. He’s never had a serious injury. There’s no reason to think he couldn’t finish four years. He made it through one, didn’t he?”

In all, Brock’s four-year package is worth $1.94 million. For this, the Rams received a veteran starting quarterback and a season that included a 59.7% completion rate, 16 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and 2,658 yards gained passing.

The NFLPA survey details the earnings of 55 Ram players. It does not, however, include incentive or performance clauses--for example, Pro Bowl selection, touchdown production, starts--that often are included in contracts. And historically, the NFLPA survey also fails to list all players who are entering an option year.

It is also difficult to determine from the survey the exact amount spent annually on team salaries and bonuses. The Ram front office refuses to provide such information, as does the NFL Management Council. The total base salaries of the 55 Ram players listed is $8.895 million. The 55 players listed, however, are not the only ones who played for the team last season.

On Wednesday, Jack Donlan, executive director of the NFL Management Council, said that NFL teams spent an average of $15.3 million last year for player salaries, bonuses and collective bargaining costs. If the bonuses received by players in previous years are pro-rated, the figure decreases to $11.2 million.

Running back Eric Dickerson’s recent three-year contract extension also isn’t included on the survey. Dickerson earned $200,000 in base salary in 1985 and also received a $150,000 reporting bonus. He will earn $400,000 in salary in 1986.

Sources close to the negotiations say that Dickerson’s extension will pay him about $680,000 in base salary beginning in 1987 through 1989. Dickerson also received a “signing advance” worth about $500,000 last month, and the Rams are believed to be paying the premium on his $4-million disability insurance policy.

Dickerson finished the year with 1,234 yards, 12 touchdowns and a 4.2-yard average. He missed the first two regular-season games because of a contract dispute.

According to the salary survey, Ram management can pat itself on the back for several bargains. Wide receiver-punt returner Henry Ellard may be the team’s most productive player for the money. Ellard, who caught 54 passes for 811 yards, 5 touchdowns and a 15-yard average, earned $145,000 in base salary in 1985, although his contract expired at the end of the season.

Bobby Duckworth made the same base salary but caught just 25 passes for 422 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The Rams also got their money’s worth out of defensive back Vince Newsome, who earned $90,000 in 1985. He gave the Rams 40 tackles, 1 sack, 3 interceptions and 7 passes defended in limited playing time. Newsome, who also appeared on many of the Ram special teams, is going into his option year.

Other candidates for money well spent are Gary Jeter, the designated pass rusher, punter Dale Hatcher and linebackers Mike Wilcher and Jim Collins. Cornerback LeRoy Irvin deserves mention, too.

Jeter had 11 sacks in 1985. He was paid $200,000 last season and will receive the same base salary in 1986.

Hatcher made $82,000 in salary during his 1985 rookie season, as well as the Pro Bowl. Even considering the $100,000 signing bonus the Rams paid, Hatcher appears to have justified the expense.

Collins led the Rams in tackles and added two sacks and two interceptions in exchange for his $218,000 salary. Wilcher, who recorded 97 tackles and 12 1/2 sacks, got $125,000 and is entering his option year.

Pro Bowl selection Irvin entered the season tied with safety Johnnie Johnson as the lowest paid starting defensive back at $200,000. Irvin intercepted 6 passes, made 67 tackles and defended 22 passes, 10 more than the next closest Ram.

The Rams also had their share of players who, for one reason or another, were paid a lot of money but contributed little. Third-team quarterback Steve Dils earned $195,000 in 1985 for holding for field goals and extra points. His acquisition was designed as an insurance policy of sorts in case of injury to Brock or Jeff Kemp.

Rookie defensive back Jerry Gray received a $150,000 base salary, a $600,000 signing bonus and a $200,000 loan in 1985. For that, the Rams got 17 tackles, 0 sacks and interceptions, and 2 passes defended.

And Chuck Scott, a wide receiver selected in the second round of the 1985 draft, spent his rookie year on injured reserve. The Rams paid him $115,000 in base salary and another $250,000 in signing bonus.

The salary survey also indicated that at least five Rams played out their options last year, including Collins, offensive lineman Bill Bain, defensive linemen Charles DeJurnett and Shawn Miller, and linebacker Mark Jerue.

Attempts to obtain other NFL salary lists, including the Raiders, were unsuccessful. RAMS SALARIES AND BONUS AMOUNTS Keys: CY--contract year, BS--base salary, BSD--base salary deferred, SB--signing bonus, ReB--reporting bonus, RoB--roster bonus, L--Loan. *All dollar amounts are in thousands of dollars. Figures do not include incentive and performance clauses; Option years aren’t always acknowledged on NFLPA list.

QUARTERBACKS CY BS BSD SB ReB RoB L Dieter Brock 1985 *$250 *$0 *$310 *$0 *$0 *$300 1986 250 0 0 0 10 0 1987 400 0 0 0 10 0 1988 400 0 0 0 10 0 Jeff Kemp 1985 150 0 0 5 0 0 Steve Dils 1985 195 0 0 0 0 0 1986 195 0 0 0 0 0

Comments: Brock’s signing bonus deferred until 1989-93; Loan forgiven if on club in 1987-88.

RUNNING BACKS CY BS BSD SB ReB RoB L Eric Dickerson 1985 200 0 0 150 0 0 1986 400 0 0 0 0 0 1987 680 0 0 0 0 0 1988 680 0 0 0 0 0 1989 680 0 0 0 0 0 Barry Redden 1985 225 0 0 40 0 0 1986 247 0 0 0 0 0 Charles White 1985 100 0 0 0 0 0 Mike Guman 1985 175 0 0 0 25 0 1986 192 0 0 0 0 0 Danny Bradley 1985 70 0 25 0 5 0 1986 80 0 0 5 7 0 1987 100 0 0 0 12 0

Comments: NFLPA figures on Dickerson’s 1987-89 contract were not available. Sources familiar with the contract extension said Dickerson received a $500,000 signing advance 60 days following the agreement. The Rams also are believed to be paying the premium on a $4-million insurance policy that protects Dickerson on and off the field. The total annual worth of the contract, said the source, is valued at about $900,000.

Comments: 1986 is an option year for Redden.

Comments: 1986 is an option year for Guman.

Comments: Bradley spent 1985 on injured reserve.

WIDE RECEIVERS CY BS BSD SB ReB RoB L Ron Brown 1985 125 0 0 0 0 0 1986 150 0 0 0 0 0 1987 200 0 0 0 0 0 Bobby Duckworth 1985 145 0 0 0 0 0 Henry Ellard 1985 145 0 0 0 0 0 Chuck Scott 1985 115 0 250 0 0 0 1986 145 0 0 0 0 0 1987 175 0 0 0 0 0 1988 200 0 0 0 0 0 Mike Young 1985 70 0 30 0 5 0 1986 90 0 0 0 10 0

Comments: Scott spent 1985 on injured reserve.

TIGHT ENDS CY BS BSD SB ReB RoB L David Hill 1985 250 0 0 0 0 0 1986 260 0 0 0 0 0 1987 300 0 0 0 0 0 1988 300 0 0 0 0 0 Tony Hunter 1985 300 0 0 0 0 0 1986 400 0 0 0 0 0 James McDonald 1985 90 0 0 0 10 0 1986 115 0 0 0 10 0 Damone Johnson 1985 75 0 35 0 10 0 1986 85 0 0 5 5 0 1987 110 0 0 0 0 0

Comments: McDonald has an option year in 1987. His option base salary is $131,000.

OFF. LINEMEN CY BS BSD SB ReB RoB L Bill Bain 1985 175 0 0 0 0 0 Russ Bolinger 1985 175 0 0 0 0 0 Dennis Harrah 1985 330 0 0 0 0 0 1986 345 0 0 0 0 0 1987 345 0 0 0 0 0 Kent Hill 1985 150 0 0 0 0 0 Duval Love 1985 65 0 13 0 10 0 1986 85 0 0 7 0 0 Irv Pankey 1985 200 0 0 25 0 0 1986 215 0 0 35 0 0 Jackie Slater 1985 335 115 0 0 0 0 1986 350 115 0 0 0 0 1987 400 115 0 0 0 0 Tony Slaton 1985 80 0 0 0 2 0 Doug Smith 1985 175 0 0 0 5 0 Mike Shiner 1985 65 0 15 0 10 0 1986 85 0 0 0 10 0 1987 125 0 0 0 10 0

Comments: 1985 was an option year for Bain.

Comments: 1986 is an option year for Hill. He’ll receive $165,000 in base salary if no new contract is signed.

Comments: Love spent 1985 on the injured reserve list.

Comments: Slater receives his deferred base salary in 1988.

Comments: 1986 is an option year for Slaton. He’ll receive $88,000 in base salary if no new contract is signed.

Comments: Shiner spent 1985 on the injured reserve list.

KICKERS CY BS BSD SB ReB RoB L Mike Lansford 1985 120 0 0 10 10 0 1986 140 0 0 0 0 0 Dale Hatcher 1985 82 0 100 0 0 0 1986 102 0 0 0 0 0 1987 122 0 0 0 0 0

DEF. LINEMEN CY BS BSD SB ReB RoB L Charles DeJurnett 1985 192 0 0 0 0 0 Reggie Doss 1985 250 0 0 0 0 0 Dennis Harrison 1985 225 0 15 0 0 0 Gary Jeter 1985 200 0 0 0 0 0 1986 200 0 0 0 0 0 Greg Meisner 1985 150 0 0 0 0 0 1986 165 0 0 0 0 0 1987 181 0 0 0 0 0 Shawn Miller 1985 66 0 0 0 0 0 Doug Reed 1985 90 0 0 0 0 0 Alvin Wright 1985 60 0 4 0 10 0 1986 70 0 0 0 10 0 1987 77 0 0 0 10 0

Comments: 1985 was an option year for DeJurnett.

Comments: 1987 is an option year for Jeter.

Comments: 1987 is an option year for Meisner.

Comments: 1985 was an option year for Miller.

Comments: 1987 is an option year for Wright.

LINEBACKERS CY BS BSD SB ReB RoB L George Andrews 1985 250 0 0 0 0 0 1986 275 0 0 0 0 0 Ed Brady 1985 75 0 0 0 5 0 Jim Collins 1985 218 0 0 0 10 0 Carl Ekern 1985 250 0 0 0 0 0 Kevin Greene 1985 80 0 50 0 5 0 1986 95 0 0 0 2 0 1987 120 0 0 0 5 0 Mark Jerue 1985 77 0 0 0 0 0 Mel Owens 1985 235 0 0 0 0 0 Norwood Vann 1985 75 0 0 0 7 0 Mike Wilcher 1985 125 0 0 0 0 0

Comments:1985 was an option year for Collins.

Comments:1985 was an option year for Jerue.

Comments:1986 is an option year for Vann. He’ll receive $82,500 in base salary if no new contract is signed.

Comments:1986 is an option year for Wilcher. He’ll receive $137,500 in base salary if no new contract is signed.

DEF. BACKS CY BS BSD SB ReB RoB L Nolan Cromwell 1985 330 0 0 0 0 0 1986 350 0 0 0 0 0 1987 400 0 0 0 0 0 Jerry Gray 1985 150 0 600 0 0 200 1986 150 0 0 0 0 0 1987 200 0 0 0 0 0 1988 200 0 0 0 0 0 1989 250 0 0 0 0 0 Gary Green 1985 300 0 0 0 0 0 1986 350 0 0 0 0 0 1987 400 0 0 0 0 0 Eric Harris 1985 250 0 0 0 0 0 1986 275 0 0 0 0 0 1987 300 0 0 0 0 0 LeRoy Irvin 1985 200 0 0 0 10 0 1986 225 0 0 0 0 0 1987 250 0 0 0 0 0 Johnnie Johnson 1985 200 0 0 0 0 0 John Meyer 1985 65 0 1 0 5 0 1986 71 0 0 0 5 0 Vince Newsome 1985 90 0 0 0 0 0 Mike Pleasant 1985 60 0 0 0 0 0

Comments: $200,000 of Gray’s signing bonus was deferred to March, 1986. Most likely, $200,000 of the bonus will be used to pay back the loan between 1989-91. The Rams must pay the interest on the loan and also buy a $16,000 disability insurance policy for Gray.

Comments: 1988 is an option year for Green.

Comments: 1986 is an option year for Johnson. He’ll receive $220,000 in base salary if no new contract is signed.

Comments: Meyer spent 1985 on injured reserve; 1986 is an option year for Meyer.

Comments: 1986 is an option year for Newsome. He’ll reveive $99,000 in base salary if no new contract is signed.

Comments: Pleasant spent 1985 on injured reserve.