The system was formed to benefit lower-salaried players," says NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL . "If a player is making the minimum salary but plays in a high percentage of his team's plays, he will get a larger payout of the pool than a teammate with the same amount of playing time but a higher salary."
One hypothetical example is "Player A" in 2007 earning a salary of $600,000, playing in 50 percent of his team's plays. His bonus would total approximately $60,000. "Player B" has a salary of $6 million and took part in a similar percentage of plays. His bonus would be approximately $6,000.
"'Pay for Performance' rewards players who may be on the bottom of the team pay scale, but play a majority of the games," says NFLPA Executive Director GENE UPSHAW .
TOP 25 PERFORMANCE BASED PAY DISTRIBUTIONS FOR 2007
1. Colon, Willie Steelers T $309,534
2. Page, Jarrad Chiefs S $286,135
3. Landry, Dawan Ravens S $284,568
4. King, Jeff Panthers TE $281,264
5. Jackson, Tanard Buccaneers S $278,227
6. McBride, Trumaine Bears CB $275,524
7.DiGiorgio, John Bills LB $273,420
8. Gaither, Omar Eagles LB $272,458
9. Evans, Jahri Saints G $266,677
10.Finnegan, Cortland Titans CB $266,049
11. Colston, Marques Saints WR $257,894
12.Pears, Erik Broncos T $255,454
13. Anderson, Derek Browns QB $254,929
14. Bigby, Atari Packers S $253,177
15. Clary, Jeromey Chargers T $253,015
16. Butler, Brad Bills G $252,729
17. Harris, Chris Panthers S $250,963
18.Sims, Rob Seahawks G $245,566
19. Penn, Donald Buccaneers T $245,531
20. Kaczur, Nick Patriots T $243,036
21. Sanders, James Patriots S $235,895
22. Fabini, Jason Redskins T $230,042
23. Clarke, Adrien Jets G $227,721
24. Smith, Anthony Steelers S $227,536
25. Haralson, Parys 49ers LB $226,221
