THE CASH ISN’T GREENER : It’s Just Piled Higher for Raiders Than for Rams

Good thing Raider Managing Partner Al Davis got that $10-million check from the City of Irwindale. He’ll need it, what with a player payroll that differs sharply in both dollars and philosophy from his frugal neighbors to the south, the Rams.

According to a National Football League Players Assn. salary survey, updated with available figures, Raider starters often earn more than their Ram counterparts--in most cases, significantly more. It doesn’t stop there. Top Raider rookies, led by running back Bo Jackson, will lug home paychecks worth appreciably more than Ram newcomers.

If the Raiders are free spenders and big tippers, the Rams are penny-pinchers and double-coupon savers. Using only 1987 base salaries, Raider starters will earn more than Ram starters at 17 of the 24 positions. Even if available signing, roster and/or reporting bonuses are included, the Raider advantage remains the same.

Little changes when comparing Raider and Ram draft choices. Either way--using 1987 base salaries or total annual packages--the Raider second-, third- and fourth-round picks make more than the respective Ram selections. In each case, Ram rookies were taken in the draft before Raider players. And Jackson, a Heisman Trophy winner who was selected in the seventh round, will receive more in 1987 than the Rams’ No. 2, 3, 4a, 4b, 5 and 8 picks combined.

The Raiders usually rank among the league’s highest-salaried teams. A 1985 NFLPA analysis reported that the average annual base salary for a Raider player was $212,100. It rose to $254,500 when bonuses were taken into account. Raider starters averaged $310,565 in base salary.

Davis’ theory apparently is this: Pay well, and they play well. Davis, who is involved in almost every day-to-day Raider decision, is also more inclined, if circumstances and performance dictate, to tear up a contract and negotiate a new one.

Meanwhile, the same analysis showed Ram players earning an average base salary of $160,400. That went up to $181,700 after bonus adjustments. Ram starters earned $206,465 in base salary, more than $100,000 less than Raider starters.

In all, the Raiders spent $14.8 million on their 1985 payroll, the Rams $10.4 million.

A similar and more current report is not yet available, but an NFLPA spokesman said the differences are expected to grow wider, thanks partly to the addition of Jackson’s contract.

John Shaw, vice president in charge of finance, is responsible for the Ram salary negotiations. It was Shaw who helped design a contract for Donald Evans, a 1987 second-round pick who will earn about $40,000 less than the average for other second-rounders

In almost every instance, including star running back Eric Dickerson, Shaw has managed to keep salaries below established market value. Renegotiations are infrequent with the Rams, if not unthinkable.

Despite an increasing number of contract disputes, the Rams have advanced to the playoffs in each of the last four seasons. In 1985, they were one victory away from the Super Bowl.

As has become their custom, the Rams enter the 1987 season with at least one holdout, this time offensive tackle Irv Pankey, absent from the team since July 26. Memories of contract problems with receiver Henry Ellard, cornerback LeRoy Irvin and Dickerson also linger.

In essence, Shaw has proven that less spent doesn’t necessarily mean fewer wins.

Meanwhile, the Raiders haven’t won a playoff game since they defeated the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII following the 1983 season.

Nowhere is the Raider salary edge more noticeable than on offense, where they earn more than the Rams at 9 of 12 positions. Only Ram offensive linemen Dennis Harrah and Jackie Slater and quarterback Jim Everett make more than Raider starters. And had Marc Wilson returned as the Raiders’ starting quarterback, Everett would have been absent from the list.

On defense, the salary difference is slightly less, 8-4. This time, linebacker Jim Collins, safeties Nolan Cromwell and Vince Newsome and punter Dale Hatcher are the lone Ram representatives.

Numbers of note:

BIGGEST BASE SALARY DIFFERENCE--Close. Raider cornerback Lester Hayes earns $700,000, half a million more than the Rams’ Jerry Gray, who made the Pro Bowl last season.

Not far behind is Irvin, the two-time Pro Bowl selection, who makes $475,000 less than the Raiders’ Mike Haynes, considered one of the NFL’s most consistent defenders. Irvin, who will receive $250,000 in 1987, has a date with a $300,000 signing bonus in January.

Raider defensive end Howie Long, perhaps the league’s best at his position, will make $650,000 this season, $440,000 more than the Rams’ Doug Reed. Raider tight end Todd Christensen earns $700,000, $400,000 more than David Hill of the Rams.

BIGGEST BARGAINS--Ellard, Ram receiver, punt returner and arguably the second-most valuable offensive player on the team, got a raise this year, which means he’ll get $375,000. That matches Raider receiver Dokie Williams and isn’t anywhere close to James Lofton, who gets a $435,000 base salary and another $400,000 reporting bonus. Ellard, however, does have an incentive package, which should help.

Gray deserves mention again. His contract calls for the same $200,000 base salary again in 1988, and only $250,000 in 1989.

BIGGEST BEEF--Dickerson would like his contract renegotiated--again. And why not? He makes $682,000--$341,000 reporting bonus, $341,000 base salary--which is $218,000 less than Raider running back Marcus Allen. Count Wilson’s $1-million contract in 1987, and Dickerson would rank no higher than sixth on the Raider payroll.

There’s more, or less, depending if you’re Dickerson. When Allen reaches $1 million in base salary next season, Dickerson will find himself at $686,000.

BEST-KEPT SECRETS--Raider center Don Mosebar recently signed a new contract, worth about $415,000 in 1987. The remaining details are unavailable. Still, Mosebar’s deal in 1987 is $110,000 more than Doug Smith, a three-time Ram Pro Bowl choice, earns.

Ram linebacker Jim Collins will make $300,000 in 1987, $350,000 in 1988 and $375,000 in 1989. But the former Pro Bowl selection reportedly got additional compensation from the Rams, enough, say those familiar with team negotiations, so that Collins can count himself among the few who have received close to market value from Shaw.

AND ROOKIES--Even without Jackson’s contract, which tends to throw the whole average off, 1987 Raider draft choices make more than Ram draft selections. Including base salary, signing and roster bonuses, offensive lineman Bruce Wilkerson, the 52nd player chosen, earns $24,000 more than Evans, the 47th player taken. Doug Bartlett, a Ram nose tackle and the 91st selection, will get $25,000 less than Raider quarterback Steve Beuerlein, taken 19 players later.

RAMS-RAIDERS STARTERS FINANCIAL COMPARISON

OFFENSE QUARTERBACKS

Rams Base Reported Raiders Base Reported Bonus Bonus Jim Everett $300,000 No Bonus Rusty Hilger $155,000* No Bonus 1988 $400,000 No Bonus 198 $200,000 No Bonus 1989 $450,000 No Bonus

RUNNING BACKS

Eric Dickerson $341,000 $341,000 Marcus Allen $900,000 1988 $341,000 $341,000 1988 $1,000,000 1989 $686,000 No Bonus Buford McGee $195,000** No Bonus Frank Hawkins $325,000 1988 $220,000 $15,000

Eric Dickerson No Bonus 1988 No Bonus 1989 Buford McGee No Bonus 1988

WIDE RECEIVERS

Ron Brown $200,000 No Bonus James Lofton $435,000 $400,000 1988 $435,000 $400,000 Henry Ellard $375,000 No Bonus Dokie Williams $375,000 No Bonus 1988 $375,000*** No Bonus 1988 $400,000 No Bonus 1989 $375,000 No Bonus 1989 $475,000 No Bonus 1990 $400,000 No Bonus 1990 $522,000 No Bonus

TIGHT ENDS

David Hill $300,000 No Bonus T. Christensen $700,000 No Bonus 1988 $300,000 No Bonus 1988 $750,000 No Bonus

TACKLES

Irv Pankey $215,000 $35,000 Bruce Davis $360,000 No Bonus 1988 NA No Bonus 1989 NA No Bonus Jackie Slater $400,000 No Bonus Shelby Jordan $375,000est No Bonus

GUARDS

Dennis Harrah $345,000 No Bonus Bill Lewis $90,000 No Bonus 1988 $115,000 No Bonus T. Newberry $125,000 No Bonus C. Hannah $385,000 No Bonus 1988 $150,000 No Bonus 1988 $440,000 No Bonus 1989 $200,000 No Bonus

CENTERS

Doug Smith $300,000 No Bonus Don Mosebar $415,000est No Bonus 1988 $300,000 No Bonus 1988

PLACE KICKERS

Mike Lansford $185,000- No Bonus Chris Bahr $215,000 No Bonus 1988 $195,000- No Bonus 1988 $235,000 No Bonus 1989 $258,000 No Bonus

DEFENSE ENDS

Rams Base Reported Raiders Base Reported Bonus Bonus Doug Reed $210,000 No Bonus Howie Long $650,000 No Bonus 1988 $700,000 No Bonus Shawn Miller $150,000 No Bonus Sean Jones $240,000 $24,000

NOSE TACKLES

Greg Meisner $181,000 No Bonus Bill Pickel $300,000 No Bonus 1988 $375,000 No Bonus

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

Mel Owens $300,000 No Bonus Jerry Robinson $400,000 No Bonus 1988 $450,000 No Bonus 1989 $495,000 No Bonus Mike Wilcher $230,000 No Bonus Rod Martin $600,000 No Bonus 1988 $660,000 No Bonus

INSIDE LINEBACKERS

Carl Ekern $200,000 No Bonus Matt Millen $300,000 No Bonus 1988 $225,000 No Bonus Jim Collins $300,000 No Bonus R. McKenzie $125,000 No Bonus 1988 $350,000 No Bonus $167,000 No Bonus 1989 $375,000 No Bonus

CORNERBACKS

LeRoy Irvin $250,000 No Bonus Mike Haynes $725,000 No Bonus 1988 $325,000-- $75,000 1989 $300,000 No Bonus Jerry Gray $200,000 No Bonus Lester Hayes $700,000 No Bonus 1988 $200,000 No Bonus 1988 $800,000 No Bonus 1989 $250,000 No Bonus

SAFETIES

N. Cromwell $400,000 No Bonus Stacey Toran $121,000 No Bonus V. Newsome $225,000--- No Bonus Vann McElroy $325,000 No Bonus 1988 $225,000 No Bonus 1989 $250,000 No Bonus 1990 $250,000 No Bonus

PUNTERS

Dale Hatcher $122,000 No Bonus Stan Talley $80,000est No Bonus

* --plus $10,000 roster bonus.

** --plus $15,000 roster bonus.

***--to receive $200,000 signing bonus in 1988. (Package includes unspecified loan).

--indicates 1986 figures. Is unsigned holdout.

--plus $70,000 incentive package.

- --to receive $300,000 signing bonus in January, 1988.

----received $150,000 signing bonus.

SELECTED ROOKIE PACKAGES

2ND ROUND, DEF. LINEMAN 2ND ROUND, OFF. LINEMAN Rams Base Signing Raiders Base Signing Bonus Bonus Donald Evans $80,000* $240,000 B. Wilkerson $135,000 $224,000 1988 $125,000 No Bonus 1988 $160,000 No Bonus 1989 $150,000 No Bonus 1989 $210,000 No Bonus 1990 $200,000 No Bonus 1990 $241,000 No Bonus

3RD ROUND, DEF. BACK 3RD ROUND, RUNNING BACK Clifford Hicks $110,000 $120,000 Steve Smith $115,000 $160,000 1988 $125,000 No Bonus 1988 $147,000 No Bonus 1989 $145,000 No Bonus 1989 $187,000 No Bonus

4TH ROUND, LINEBACKER 4TH ROUND, QUARTERBACK Larry Kelm $85,000 $60,000 S. Beuerlein $90,000 $80,000 1988 $95,000 No Bonus 1988 $110,000 No Bonus 1989 $115,000 No Bonus 1989 $140,000 No Bonus

5TH ROUND, DEF. LINEMAN 1ST ROUND, OFF. LINEMAN S. Mersereau $70,000 $40,000 John Clay $150,000 $510,000 1988 $75,000 No Bonus 1988 $175,000 No Bonus 1989 $95,000 No Bonus 1989 $250,000 No Bonus 1990 $375,000 No Bonus

8TH ROUND, DEF. BACK 7TH ROUND, RUNNING BACK M. Stewart $67,000 $20,000 Bo Jackson $669,000 $500,000 1988 $84,000 No Bonus 1988 $748,000+ No Bonus 1989 $100,000 No Bonus 1989 $840,000 No Bonus 1990 $961,000 No Bonus 1991 $1,101,000 No Bonus

*--Will receive $25,000 if he makes roster.

+--Will receive $500,000 reporting bonus.

Sources--National Football League Players Assn. and updated through players’ agents.