Falcons sign top pick CB Michael Booker to five-year deal
Posted: Wed July 16, 1997 at 7:24 p.m. EDT
The Atlanta Falcons today signed the last and most important of
their nine 1997 draft picks, first-round selection and
cornerback Michael Booker, to a five-year contract.
Booker, the Defensive MVP of the 1996 Fiesta Bowl for Nebraska,
was the 11th pick in the April draft. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound
Booker won two national championships with the Cornhuskers, and
is the highest NFL draft choice to sign thus far.
"My agent wanted me to be here, and I also wanted to be in
camp," he said. "I wanted to be here as soon as possible so I
could learn everything, step in and play as soon as possible. I
felt the earlier that I'm in camp, the better chance I have of
playing."
Financial terms were not disclosed, but according to today's
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Falcons will guarantee more
than 60 percent of his $8.2 million contract, which is rare.
Booker will receive a $2.2 million signing bonus, while the
Falcons also guaranteed the base salaries for Booker's first
three seasons -- $800,000 (in 1997), $1.0 million ('98) and $1.2
million ('99).
Booker was a second-team All-Big 12 selection in 1996 after
starting every game at left cornerback. He recorded 25 tackles
and was second on the team in breakups with eight. Booker has
excellent speed, running a 4.44 in the 40, and possesses a
vertical leap of 39 1/2.
The selection of Booker continued a drastic overhaul of the
Atlanta secondary. The Falcons lost cornerback Darnell Walker
and safety Brad Edwards to free agency and signed corners Ray
Buchanan and Ronnie Bradford and safety William White.
This is the first time since 1994 that the Falcons have all
their draft picks signed before training camp, which starts
today.
© 2003 SportsTicker Enterprises, LP
|
