[vincesanity82]

Though the Atlanta Falcons are saying nothing about the resolution of defensive tackle Grady Jackson's lawsuit against the team, Jackson coincidentally has received an adjustment to his contract.

But, in the short term, it's not worth much.

Per a league source, Jackson received a $250,000 signing bonus and a new $250,000 roster bonus for 2007. The roster bonus is due on September 7; thus, if Jackson is cut before then, he won't get it.

At the same time, his base salary was reduced from $1.5 million to $1 million. So, for now, he merely received a $250,000 advance on his 2007 pay.

Also, a $2 million roster bonus was added to his 2008 compensation, due on the first day of the league year. It means that either Jackson will get the money, or he'll get a shot at hitting the open market in March. For next season, his base salary was reduced from $1.5 million to $1.0 million.

The Falcons also added a year to the deal, with a $2 million roster bonus due on the first day of the 2009 league year, and a $1 million base salary.

So, as a practical matter, Jackson extended his commitment by a year and can make an extra $4.5 million in roster bonuses and salary. (There's also a $1.25 million escalator provision, but as we see it the higher his salary goes the greater the likelihood that he gets cut loose.)

It's still possible that the Falcons made a separate payment to Jackson in order to resolve his claims. However, we don't know whether such a payment could be made separate and apart from the salary-cap system. On one hand, Jackson asserted rights completely unrelated to his football wages. On the other hand, money is money, and the best approach is for all money paid to a current player to count under the salary cap, in order to avoid potential abuses.

ProFootballTalk.com -- The Best Pro Football Scoop on the Internet