Jon Beason knows his payday is not far away

Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason knows he might have to wait a little longer for his payday. But after reading the news the past few days, he also has a better idea of what's headed his way when that day finally comes.

Beason said Wednesday he was well aware of the six-year, $48million deal signed by Houston middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans on Tuesday, a deal that included $21.75million guaranteed.

"I don't have a pen and a notebook or a tape recorder, but let me ask you a question," Beason said with bit of a laugh. "Do you think I'm in the same class as DeMeco Ryans, or better?"

The parallels between the two certainly exist, and it would be hard to find anyone in this area code who'd pick the other guy.

Ryans, 25, the Texans' second-round pick in 2006 (33rd overall) has become the signature defensive player on a rising team. He's been to two Pro Bowls and has started every game since arriving there.

Beason, also 25, the Panthers' first-round pick in 2007 (25th overall) just as quickly became a leader here. He sneaked into his second Pro Bowl as a late injury replacement, though he's still sore about being a second alternate.

He has, however, posted the three highest single-season tackle totals in franchise history, and barring injury should be second on Carolina's career tackles list before the first frost of 2010.

But while Ryans is stacking bills, Beason is still grinding away on his rookie deal and thinking about what might be some day.

He's just not sure at the moment when it's coming.

Beason, returning to town after training in Miami since the end of the season, said he wished the Panthers would offer something now. In past years, former first-rounders with three years under their belts would be in line for raises.

But in the upside-down and uncapped 2010 NFL landscape, such deals are flowing slowly.

Beason joked that until his peer/mirror-image Patrick Willis gets paid, he's probably going to have to wait. Even more than Ryans, Willis is the player often compared to Beason. The San Francisco star, who was chosen 11th overall in 2007, has had some level of contract talks with the 49ers, but nothing seems imminent there either.

Miami signed free agent Karlos Dansby to a five-year, $43million deal this off-season as well, establishing the club all linebackers want to join.

Willis and Beason are next (though Carolina's Thomas Davis won't be much cheaper), and the deals likely won't be far apart financially or chronologically.

"The NFL's done a good job of keeping myself and Patrick Willis joined at the hip," Beason said. "Whether he gets a deal first, or it happens to be me, the other one's going to be right behind him.

"I just don't think it's going to happen right now."

While he's hopeful the Panthers will extend an offer this year, he said there's no pressure on them to do so. He's under contract through 2011, and with a potential lockout on the horizon, Beason knows leverage is not with labor.

"From all the people I've talked to, with a lockout coming, I just don't think it's going to happen now," he said. "If there is a lockout after this season, then I expect it would be after we resume football.

"Either way, it's good to see Dansby, good to see DeMeco get what they deserved."

Beason's careful to note he doesn't want to come across as bitter. He identified the Panthers as a preferred destination before he was drafted here, hoping to land alongside friends and former Miami Hurricanes Dan Morgan and Damione Lewis.

Now more than ever, he's become the team's signature star on defense, voted a captain in his third season and clear to run the room now.

"I signed a five-year deal, and ultimately, they've got me as long as they want me," Beason said. "My goal is to retire a member of the Carolina Panthers. ... At the end of the day though, everybody wants their value, and I know I'm one of the better guys in the league at my position.

"Hey, every other team might think Jon Beason's awful, but as long as the Carolina Panthers think I'm great, that's fine. They've told me they love me, they've made me think they want me to stay."

Click here to order Jon Beason's proCane Rookie Card.



(charlotteobserver.com)