Norm Johnson can't kick about his new deal with the Seattle Seahawks. Nor can Bubby Brister with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Those two signed lucrative contracts with their respective teams on Sunday, each getting special incentives that could inflate their salaries even more."Norm has an opportunity to make even more money than he was looking for," said Bruce Singman, Johnson's agent. "The structure of the contract makes him happy because it gives him the opportunity to earn his money through his excellence on the field."
The Seahawks placekicker signed a two-year contract for a reported $750,000 or more, making him one of the best-paid kickers in the NFL.
In reports published Sunday, the Morning News Tribune of Tacoma estimated Johnson's salary at $750,000 to $775,000 for the two years, while The Seattle Times said his base pay would be roughly $400,000 a year.
Morten Anderson of New Orleans and Nick Lowery of Kansas City are believed to be asking $650,000 and $550,000 a year, respectively, the Times said.
Meanwhile, Brister went from the NFL's lowest-paid starting quarterback to one of the highest-paid players in the Steelers' history.
Brister was on the option year of a contract that would pay him $187,000 this year. His new contract is worth a reported $2.75 million, with incentives that could make the total value nearly $1 million a year.
The Steelers' highest-paid player had been cornerback Rod Woodson, who signed a $2 million deal as a rookie in 1987.
Brister's base salary reportedly will be $700,000 this season, $800,000 in 1990 and $900,000 in 1991, plus annual bonuses worth $125,000 a year.
In other NFL training camp news:
Detroit Lions
Rookie Rodney Peete and veterans Rusty Hilger and Bob Gagliano are waging a three-way battle to open the exhibition season as the Lions' starting quarterback.
Peete, Hilger and Gagliano have been the most impressive signal-callers in training camp, coaches say. The other quarterbacks in camp are veterans Eric Hipple and Chuck Long, the latter recovering from off-season elbow surgery.
Minnesota Vikings
Cornerback Reggie Rutland participated in his first workout with the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday after ending a six-day holdout.
Washington Redskins
Redskins starting quarterback Doug Williams returned to training camp Sunday, but said he will do little more than be a spectator until his lower-back problems are completely healed.
Dallas Cowboys
Scott Secules, considered the Cowboys' brightest quarterback prospect last season, was traded to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday for a conditional 1990 mid-round draft pick.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos announced the signing of veteran cornerback Jeremiah Castille. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Castille was signed to a series of one-year contracts.