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Lewis signed a three-year deal to be defensive coordinator for Washington. The deal is worth between $850,000 and $900,000 annually, but if all the incentives are attained, the package could be worth as much as $1.3 million per year. That's a salary comparable to what some NFL headcoaches make and is at least twice what the average assistant isthought to make.
ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli first reported the deal Sunday afternoon. The news conference and official announcement was made Monday.
"For the kind of money they are going to pay him, I guess you can't blame the guy," Ravens vice president Ozzie Newsome told ESPN.com.
The contract will dwarf the nearly $700,000 per year contract that the Atlanta Falcons recently gave to new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
Asked to explain himself to owners who now have good reason tobe concerned about escalating coaching salaries, Snyder wasunapologetic.
"I don't think I've done anything out of character with whatwe're trying to build with the Redskins," Snyder said. "You'retalking about one of the finest coaches in the game. We're allafter one thing, that's victories."
Spurrier, who last month signed a five-year, $25 millioncontract, played the rationalization game a bit better.
"Do you know what the salary cap is this next year?" Spurriersaid. "Seventy-one million. Now don't you think the best defensivecoordinator in the country is worth one-70th of what you're payingthe team? The defensive coordinator is one of the most valuableplayers on your team."
Lewis' arrival ended a confusing week about the future of theman who made the Baltimore Ravens defense one of the best in theleague, if not ever. Lewis seemed on the verge of becoming TampaBay's head coach until a Thursday night meeting with the sons ofBucs owner Malcolm Glazer left Lewis with the distinct impressionthat he wasn't wanted.
"It was a meeting that was already set one way," said Lewis,adding that he felt the Glazers interviewed him as nothing muchmore than a courtesy to their general manager, Rich McKay.
Lewis had been so confident that he would get the Buccaneers jobthat he had already contacted an offensive coordinator and otherpossible assistants. He said one of disappointing side effects ofthe whole scenario is that "a couple of guys passed upopportunities around the NFL" because they thought they'd be withhim in Tampa.
When it became public that Lewis wouldn't get the Tampa Bay job,the Redskins pursued him immediately. A Saturday morning interviewwas arranged, but Lewis canceled it and decided -- for the moment,at least -- to re-sign with the Ravens.
"I probably acted in haste Saturday morning," Lewis said,"after going through a very tough Friday."
The Ravens then thought they had a deal to keep Lewis, but Lewisreconsidered and met Sunday with Snyder and Spurrier. The Redskinsincreased their offer; the Ravens didn't. The deal was done, andBaltimore owner Art Modell issued as statement saying he was"disappointed" about being "misled."
Lewis said he hopes to speak with Modell later this week in agesture of reconciliation.
"Mr. Modell wouldn't have understood if I had left last year tocoach the Cleveland Browns," Lewis said. "That's the way he is.You're part of his family. He wants you to stay there forever."
Lewis said he took the Redskins job because it offered a newchallenge and a new level of responsibility -- Spurrier doesn't wantanything to do with the defense -- but Lewis also admitted the moneyplayed a part.
"That's got to be a factor," Lewis said. "You love the game,you have a great passion for the game, but you also want to takecare of your people, my children, the rest of their life."
Lewis will be Snyder's fourth defensive coordinator in fourseasons, following Mike Nolan, Ray Rhodes and Kurt Schottenheimer.Ironically, Nolan is taking Lewis' place as the Ravens' defensivecoordinator.
And, while he continues to throw money at big names, Snyder isstill waiting for the strategy to pay off. The top two dubiousmoves: Deion Sanders got nearly $8 million for one mediocre year,and coach Marty Schottenheimer essentially got $10 million for one8-8 season.
Spurrier's coaching staff is nearly complete. On Monday, he alsohired former Dallas assistant George Edwards to coach thelinebackers, and all that's left is a defensive backs coach.
After that, with Lewis aboard, Spurrier feels he won't have toworry about that side of the ball anymore.
"It frees me up to try to coach the offense," Spurrier said."I don't have to peek in on the defense."
Information from ESPN.com senior NFL writer Len Pasquarelli and the Associated Press was used in this report.
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