Brandon Flowers, the former cornerback of the Kansas City Chiefs, has signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Chargers just a week after he came to visit and discuss terms.
Flowers, who, according to ESPN.com, was released by the Chiefs because of a cost-cutting effort in early June, is set to earn as much as $3 million in guarantees, with the opportunity to get an extra $2 million in incentives. The condition for receiving the full incentive amount includes playing at least 92.5 per cent of the team's defensive snaps and the team making it to the AFC championships. Alternatively, if he plays at least 78.5 per cent, he is guaranteed $1 million in extras.
Flowers, who stands 5 feet and 9 inches, is a pretty impressive player and will contribute significantly to the team's chances. During his six-year career as a professional football player, he has logged 17 interceptions and 91 pass breakups. During this time with the Chiefs last season, he recorded 78.11 percent of defensive snaps, even while being absent in the three games. That said, the decision to sign him on appears to be a very smart move for the Chargers. He was the number 8 cornerback in the 2008 NFL Draft and was taken by the Chiefs in the second round, or 35th overall.
Flowers started with a four-year contract with the Chiefs and then in 2011 entered a five-year contract extension with a $50 million value, $22 million of which would be guaranteed. He was officially released in June 13 after the team failed to find a trade partner. "It's in the best interest of the club and the player to part ways at this time. We wish him nothing but the best as he continues his career," said general manager John Dorsey in a statement.
NFL.com writes that Flowers' admission to the Chargers comes at the right time, especially after the Chargers saw the departure of Derek Cox and Richard Marshall to free agency in 2013. He will be playing alongside Jason Verrett, who was picked on the first round, but is currently undergoing rehabilitation from a shoulder surgery in the offseason. The team expects Verrett to be back in full form when training season starts.
According to Bleacher Report, while the addition of Flowers is not a surefire formula to pushing the Chargers to the Super Bowl (that one requires team effort, of course), it will make the team seriously competitive in the AFC West. If the 28-year-old Flowers manages to prove himself during his one-year tenure, an extended contract--and a higher pay--is expected.
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