Big Bucks In Sports

That's the total the Ravens paid to defensive stalwarts Ray Lewis, 33, and Chris McAlister, 31, who missed half the season because of injury.

BARGAIN BIN
$8.2M

That's what a relatively underpaid Peyton Manning made in '07.

SPREAD OFFENSE
The Bears paid three quarterbacks ( Brian Griese, Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton) between $2.5 and $3 million each last season. The average salary for the eight Pro Bowl quarterbacks was $6.6 million.

SOUND INVESTING
$25.6M

That's how much the Cowboys paid their three highest-paid players: Terrell Owens ($9.7 million), Tony Romo ($8.9 million) and Flozell Adams ($7 million), the cornerstones of the league's No. 3 offense.

DOWNSIZING
Even though only two wins separated them from the Rams, who finished 3--13, Miami was 40 times less efficient. As part of the rebuilding, the Dolphins' biggest salaries from last year are either going ( Jason Taylor, $9.6 million) or gone ( Zach Thomas, $8 million; Chris Chambers, $7.3 million).

VALUE VS. PRICE
Landing Randy Moss for $3 million was a steal and Tom Brady at $7.35 million was a bargain, considering his historic season (48 TD passes). New England's highest-priced player was now-departed cornerback Asante Samuel ($7.8 million), whose salary was the result of being named a franchise player in 2007.

THE VERY BIG EASY
At $6 for 24 ounces, the Superdome brews the cheapest beer in the league; add in tickets, soft drinks, hot dogs, parking, programs and caps, and only Jacksonville and Buffalo cost less.

AVERAGE SALARY BY POSITION
Teams pay most for quarterbacks ($1.98 million average) and those who protect them and sack them.