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Starter Maddox trails backup by $275,000; Florida's Grossman to visit

Tuesday, April 01, 2003

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Quarterback Charlie Batch, who would like to compete for the Steelers' starting job in training camp, already has beaten out Tommy Maddox in one competition -- Batch will earn more money this season.

According to Coach Bill Cowher, the Steelers have decided not to restructure Maddox's contract, which will pay him $275,000 less this year than Batch, his backup.

Steelers officials also have scheduled visits with two college quarterbacks expected to be drafted in the first round. Florida's Rex Grossman will visit today and California's Kyle Boller will visit next week.

The Steelers want to see Maddox play another season before they make a big-money commitment to him. And if the Steelers draft a quarterback on the first round, there will be less incentive for them to give Maddox more money.

Maddox's contract, signed in June when he was the backup to Kordell Stewart, goes through 2006. He will earn $725,000 in pay this year -- a $650,000 salary and $75,000 in bonuses. Batch, who came to a new agreement with the Steelers March 13, will make $1 million -- a $530,000 salary and a $470,000 bonus. Batch also is scheduled to make more in 2004 with a $1 million salary while Maddox earns $750,000. Both players have similar incentives built into their contracts, which helped Maddox earn an additional $400,000 last season.

Agent Vann McElroy had hoped the Steelers would restructure Maddox's contract to reflect his status as starting quarterback. He and the Steelers had talked about possibly doing so. Cowher, though, said the team will not change Maddox's contract this year.

"Not this season," Cowher told reporters last week at the NFL meetings in Phoenix. "I think it would be out of character for us to do it. We'll talk to him about the situation. I know it's a very sensitive situation. Mr. Rooney will do the right thing. I'm not in a position to sign players, but it'll be addressed."

Cowher declined yesterday to talk about Maddox's contract. Last week in Phoenix was the only time Cowher has talked to reporters about his team since his news conference two days after the season ended.

"It's certainly not in mine nor Tommy's character to take things to the media," McElroy said. "Our respect for Mr. Rooney and Bill Cowher are very high and I think the right thing will be done."

Maddox, drafted in the first round by Denver in 1992, saw limited NFL action until last season. He was out of the league after the 1995 season and wound up selling insurance for more than two years. He came back in 2000 to play in the Arena League, played for the XFL and earned that defunct league's MVP award in the spring of 2001 before the Steelers signed him. He threw only nine passes for the Steelers in 2001 but was so impressive in practices and in training camp that he was promoted to starting quarterback by the fourth game last season.

Maddox played reasonably well, completing 62.1 percent of his passes with 20 touchdowns, 16 interceptions and an 85.2 passer rating.

The Steelers signed him for two years at the NFL's minimum salary in 2001, but reworked his contract a year later to give him a $500,000 signing bonus on a five-year deal that averages $931,250. Batch, who became a free agent a month ago after signing a one-year deal with the Steelers last June, now has a two-year contract that averages $1 million per season.

Batch turns 29 Dec. 5. Maddox turns 32 on Sept. 2.

"He may have a lot more years left," Cowher said in Phoenix.

NOTES -- The Steelers yesterday began visits with potential draft picks at their UPMC complex, a process that will take place the next 2 1/2 weeks. Outside linebacker Antwan Peek of Cincinnati was the first to visit. He is considered among the top five outside linebackers available in the April 26-27 draft.