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Saints contract nuggets: Dannell Ellerbe’s health key to a payday

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Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Thanks to the sleuthing of The Advocate’s Nick Underhill, we have some interesting contract details for several New Orleans Saints players.

According to Underhill’s source, three players have performance-based deals in place for 2016, which include linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, defensive tackle Nick Fairley, and offensive guard Senio Kelemete.

Dannell Ellerbe

Contract: 2-year, $5 million contract (February 11)

Perhaps the most interesting clause exists for Dannell Ellerbe, who will be compensated based on playing time for 2016 and 2017. As Underhill noted, here’s the breakdown:

  • 50 percent of snaps = $100,000
  • 60 percent of snaps = $200,000
  • 70 percent of snaps = $200,000
  • 75 percent of snaps = $300,000
  • 80 percent of snaps = $350,000
  • 85 percent of snaps = $650,000
  • 90 percent of snaps = $700,000

The total figure comes to $2.5 million. Ellerbe appeared in 256 snaps for the Saints defense last year, which was only 23.7 percent. Underhill also noted that Ellerbe can earn an extra $100,000 for a Pro Bowl appearance.

Nick Fairley

Contract: 1-year, $3 million contract (March 28) – includes $2.235 million signing bonus

The free agent who is excited to play for the team he grew up rooting for can earn $750,000 if he gets to seven sacks, and will earn another bonus if he plays 35 percent of the time and has four sacks. In summary, $1.75 million of Fairley’s incentives are tied to playing time and sacks.

Senio Kelemete

Contract: 2-year, $2.7 million contract (March 6) – includes $300,000 signing bonus

Kelemete can earn $600,000 if he appears in more than 70 percent of the snaps. In 2015, he appeared in 437 (36.9 percent) of the offense’s snaps. The team ran a total of 1,184 plays on offense last season.

Next: Saints Sophomore Spotlight: Bobby Richardson

More details are sure to emerge for other players, and it looks like general manager Mickey Loomis continues some strong behind the scenes work for the New Orleans Saints.

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