Will They Pay or Will He Go? Pats Have to Pay Stallworth $8 mil or cut him

Last March, Donte' Stallworth was the top receiver available in free agency. But when the big money didn't flow his way, he signed what amounted to a one-year "prove it" deal with the Patriots. He received $1 million to sign, a $700,000 base salary, a $300,000 workout bonus, and a $1.6 million roster bonus for being on the 53-man roster at the start of the season. (He also could have earned another $400,000 in incentives, but he fell 24 catches short of the 70 receptions necessary for the first $100,000 payment.) In the second year, the deal includes a $6 million option bonus, due to be paid on February 25. Stallworth also is set to earn a $2 million roster bonus on February 29. So now the Pats have to decide whether to pay the option, try to work out a new deal for less than $6 million on February 25 and $2 million four days later, or cut Stallworth loose. If he's cut, he'll immediately become a free agent, a couple of days before the off...