Buffalorumbings.com
Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550 reported this weekend that Rian Lindell has agreed to a contract extension with the Buffalo Bills. Lindell is set to make $11M over the course of four years, per the latest report.
The average payout of $2.75M a year puts Lindell in the top quarter of income earners at his position. Here's the list:
1.Sebastian Janikowski: Oakland Raiders: 4 years, $16M Janikowski is one year younger than Lindell and has a much stronger leg. He has two seasons left on his deal. His career field goal percentage is lower than 80 percent, and even under 40 yards it's just 84 percent. Still, his big leg makes him a valuable weapon, as he's 11-of-18 from more than 50 yards in the last two seasons.
2.Phil Dawson: Ceveland Browns: Franchise Tag, $3.25M in 2011 Dawson was tagged by Cleveland in 2011, but is now expected to hit the open market. He's 37 years old, which might limit his desirability to some teams. He's an 83 percent lifetime field goal kicker, and should sign a deal comparable with Lindell this off-season.
3.Stephen Gostkowski: New England Patriots: 5 years, $15.75M The 27-year-old has been consistent for the AFC champs since replacing Adam Vinatieri. He was an All-Pro in 2008 and has hit 84 percent of his field goal chances during his regular season career. He's also 13-of-15 in post-season games.
4.Rob Bironas: Tennessee Titans: 4 years, $12M An All-Pro in 2007, the Tennessee kicker is entering the final year of his deal at the age of 34. He's 86 percent lifetime, and has been above 90 percent in each of the last two seasons. He will likely sign a deal higher than Lindell's at some point in the next calendar year.
5.Mason Crosby: Green Bay Packers: 5 years, $14.75M The youngest player on our list, Crosby is 27 years old and consistent on a very solid team. He had his best season in 2011, converting 86 percent of his kicks despite a 79 percent lifetime average.
6.Josh Brown: St. Louis Rams: 5 years, $14.2M Brown kicks indoors for St. Louis, and is entering the final year of his contract. He'll be the same age as Lindell when he signs his new deal, and will likely still be ahead of the Bills kicker in average salary. His lifetime field goal percentage hovers just under 81 percent. He's very similar to Lindell in that's he accurate under 40 yards, but his accuracy suffers dramatically above that distance.
7.Rian Lindell: Buffalo Bills: 4 years, $11M His career kicking percentage is 81 percent, but unlike Brown, he kicks in adverse conditions more often than not. He converted on almost 87 percent of his kicks in 2011 without attempting one longer than 50 yards. He's now locked up through his 39th birthday.
