Cardinals added rookie QB Skelton officially to roster

By signing him to a four-year, $1.97 million contract, the Arizona Cardinals added officially the fifth-round draft pick John Skelton to the team’s roster on Wednesday. By signing on the documents, the rookie contract was immediately paid $182,000 as signing bonus. It was absolutely a standard offer for a fifth-round draft pick, and Skelton now has four years to improve his value before asking for a more lucrative contract from the team.

By accepting the terms on the rookie contract, Skelton agreed to receive the standard base salaries of $320,000, $405,000, $490,000 and $575,000 as well as a fourth-year escalator clause that can significantly boost the maximum value of the deal. The former Fordham local football star was often seen in a Brett Favre jersey and using his strong arm to throw balls in his backyard when at home. At the height of 6 feet 5 and weighing 243 pounds, Skelton used to make appearance in the East-West Shrine all-star game.

Skelton’s statistics in college football career were 9,923 passing yards, 69 touchdowns and 36 interceptions with a 58.8 completion percentage. In 2009 season only, he passed for 2,708 yards, 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 64.4 completion percentage. It’s very likely for the rookie to earn a backup role in this upcoming 2010 season.