Costly injury Bum ankle could give Saints' Williams bum deal Click here for more on this story Posted: Tuesday September 14, 1999 08:01 PM   Ricky Williams was widely criticized for his incentive-laden contract. AP By Desmond M. Wallace, CNN/SI Ricky Williams' ankle injury isn't just causing him physical pain. It could put quite a hurt on his wallet as well. The Heisman Trophy-winning running back sprained ligaments in his left ankle in a preseason game against Miami on Aug. 13. Williams re-aggravated the injury in New Orleans' regular-season opener Sunday. And Williams' injury takes on greater significance given his incentive-laden contract. Williams signed an eight-year deal with the Saints on May 14 for a potential $68.4 million. However, the deal could be worth as little as $16.215 million, with yearly base salaries as low as $175,000 this season to $400,000 at the end of the deal in 2005. Earning His Keep Some of Ricky Williams' incentives Clause Bonus Average 4.5 yards per carry 12 rushing touchdowns 12 receiving touchdowns Scoring 76 points 1,601 yards of total offense 35 percent of offensive plays 240-lb weight limit $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $100,000   According to the language of the contract, for Williams to make cash outside of his base and signing bonus ($3.6 million due this year and $5.24 million due in 2000), he would need to produce significant on-field numbers. The largest single incentive of the deal includes a $3 million bonus should Williams break Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing mark of 2,105 yards. But the contract also includes 26 smaller incentive targets that could each fetch Williams $50,000 a year, up to a cap of $500,000 (a maximum of 10 targets reached per season).   Bonus Baby Williams' bonus based on yardage Rushing Yards Bonus 1,600 yards 1,800 yards 2,000 yards 2,100 yards 2,106 yards* $1 million $1.5 million $2 million $2.1 million $3 million * Would break NFL record The controversial deal also has an escalator clause based on achievements that, if reached, would force the Saints to pay Williams Terrell Davis-type money. Davis, who is the highest-paid running back in NFL history, rushed for 6,413 yards, totaled 7,594 in rushing and receiving, gained 4.8 yards per carry and scored 61 touchdowns in his first four seasons in the league. If Williams hits three of those four marks, his contract will automatically duplicate that of Davis, making him the highest-paid player in the league. On Base Williams' base salary through 2005 Year Salary 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 $175,000 $250,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $400,000   Finally, Williams' contract includes a team option that would pay the running back $15.3 million in the optional eighth year. But unlike the case in many top rookie contracts, there are no voidable years in Williams' deal should the 1998 Heisman winner achieve Pro Bowl-type numbers. For the contracts' supporters, the deal calls for Williams to more than legitimately earn his money. For its detractors, Williams' ankle isn't the only bum deal around.   Related information Stories Broncos' home win streak ends at 24 Statitudes: No Moore streak NFL season has had great opening-day performances Preseason success rarely leads to Super season Mailbag: Ask Statitudes Multimedia Visit Multimedia Central for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.

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