Thread: The Tag, deadline this Thursday (23 Feb. 2006)

NFL teams have until Thursday to use franchise designations
February 21, 2006
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Related link: Understanding the difference between Franchise and Transition Tags

BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) - Shaun Alexander and Drew Brees don't have to worry about getting tagged. The same can't be said for John Abraham.

NFL teams have until Thursday to designate eligible free agents as franchise or transition players.

The Seattle Seahawks promised they would not slap the franchise tag on Alexander again this year. So the NFL's reigning MVP will either sign a multi-year deal with the Seahawks or negotiate with other clubs when the free agent signing period begins on March 3.

Alexander won the rushing title with 1,880 yards and set a single-season record with 27 touchdowns in 2005 as the Seahawks finished with the best record in the NFC and advanced to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.

Seattle likely will use its tag on Steve Hutchinson, who is considered one of the NFL's premier guards.

Players that are named as franchise players automatically get tendered the average salary of the top five players at their position or 20 percent above their previous salary, whichever is greater. A transition player gets the average of the top 10 salaries at his position.

The franchise tag entitles a team to the right of first refusal and two first-round picks as compensation. The transition tag carries no compensation if the player signs elsewhere.

The San Diego Chargers are about to let Brees, their starting quarterback, test the market.

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith announced on Monday that the team will not designate Brees as either a franchise or transition player. Brees made more than $8 million as a franchise player last year and would be guaranteed nearly a $10 million salary in 2006 if he was tendered again.

However, Brees was injured in the Chargers' regular-season finale, tearing the labrum in his throwing shoulder while trying to recover a fumble. He had surgery last month and is expected to begin throwing in May.

If Brees leaves, the Chargers will likely hand the quarterback job to Philip Rivers, the fourth overall pick in the 2004 draft.

The New York Jets became the first team to use the designation on Tuesday, placing the franchise tag on three-time Pro Bowl defensive end John Abraham for the second consecutive year.

Abraham, 27, automatically receives a one-year tender worth $8.3 million, the average salary of the top five players at his position.

"The franchise tag is one of the resources we have to protect ourselves in a competitive league," new Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said. "By franchising John, it speaks volumes about what type of player we feel he is and we stand behind our decision, with the full realization that at this point in time it is in the best interest of the club from both a financial and competitive standpoint."

Last season, Abraham led the Jets with 10 1/2 sacks and recorded 67 tackles, six forced fumbles, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery.

A first-round pick of the Jets in 2000, Abraham has compiled 53 1/2 sacks and 328 tackles in 73 games with the Jets. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2001, 2002 and 2004.

The Indianapolis Colts have a key decision to make. Both Pro Bowl running back Edgerrin James, who rushed for 1,503 yards last season, and wide receiver Reggie Wayne are eligible to become free agents. Wayne has 160 receptions for 2,265 yards over the last two seasons.

The Colts used the tag on James last year, but they may opt to designate Wayne this time.

The Baltimore Ravens are considering whether to place the tag on running back Jamal Lewis, who is coming off his worst season with 907 yards rushing.

Cornerback Nate Clements of the Buffalo Bills and center LeCharles Bentley of the New Orleans Saints may get franchise tags from their teams.

The Oakland Raiders are not expected to use the franchise tag again on four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Woodson. If they do, his salary would rise to more than $12 million after he made $10.5 million last season.

The New England Patriots slapped the franchise tag on kicker Adam Vinatieri last season and may do so again.

Known as the NFL's best kicker in the clutch, Vinatieri kicked a 48-yarder as time expired in the Patriots' 20-17 victory over St. Louis in Super Bowl XXXVI and a 41-yarder with four seconds left in a 32-29 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

The San Francisco 49ers are considering placing the tag on linebacker Julian Peterson for a third straight year.

Today is the last day to put the tag on.

i get it now. i did not know the difference between the two tags. i was trying to explain it to my dad and i was a bit off. thanks for the info. i best go tell him the right way now.