Texans' Arian Foster's Linemen: Dinner on Them

It has become tradition in the NFL for the running back who wins the rushing title to bestow gifts to his offensive linemen. But based on the economics, this year brings a different kind of case.
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.

It has become tradition in the NFL for the running back who wins the rushing title to bestow gifts to his offensive linemen who paved the way for that glory. We've heard about former rushing champions such as LaDanian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson buying linemen Rolex watches, Cadillac Escalades, plasma televisions, etc. as lavish forms of gratitude from superstar running backs to their unknown linemen huffing away on their behalf.

Well, based on the economics, this year brings a different kind of case. The NFL's rushing leader is the Texans' Arian Foster, making minimum salary of $390,000 with no signing bonus. Here is what his starting offensive linemen made in signing bonus/guarantee alone in their most recent contract:

LT Duane Brown $6.2 million
LG Wade Smith $6.25 million
C Chris Meyers $3 million
RG Antoine Caldwell $804,250
RT Eric Winston $10 million

Based on the above, it does not seem appropriate that Foster spend too much on these guys. Perhaps a nice dinner -- not Dez Bryant-style -- with the richer lineman (Caldwell can sit that out) footing much of the bill.

NFL rushing leaders aren't making what they used to.

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot