And here come the Franchise Tags...UPDATED
 

The 2012 franchise tags
Posted by Mike Florio on March 5, 2012, 10:39 AM EST

Raiders: Safety Tyvon Branch. (Not signed yet.)

Eagles: Receiver DeSean Jackson. (Not signed yet.)

Falcons: Cornerback Brent Grimes. (Not signed yet.)

Redskins: Tight end Fred Davis. (Not signed yet.)

Ravens: Running back Ray Rice. (Not signed yet.)

49ers: Safety Dashon Goldson. (Not signed yet.)

Bears: Running back Matt Forte. (Not signed yet.)

Cardinals: Defensive end Calais Campbell. (Not signed yet.)

Bengals: Kicker Mike Nugent. (Not signed yet.)

Browns: Kicker Phil Dawson. (Not signed yet.)

Saints: Quarterback Drew Brees. (Not signed yet.)

Lions: Defensive end Cliff Avril. (Not signed yet.)

Jaguars: Kicker Josh Scobee. (Not signed yet.)

Broncos: Kicker Matt Prater. (Not signed yet.)

Titans: Safety Michael Griffin. (Not signed yet.)

Patriots: Receiver Wes Welker. (Not signed yet.)

Cowboys: Linebacker Anthony Spencer. (Not signed yet.)

Buccaneers: Kicker Connor Barth. (Not signed yet.)

Giants: Punter Steve Weatherford. (Not signed yet.)

Chiefs: Receiver Dwayne Bowe. (Not signed yet.)

Colts: Defensive end Robert Mathis. (Not signed yet.)


First franchise tag goes to DeSean Jackson
Posted by Mike Florio on March 1, 2012, 4:42 PM EST
DeSean Jackson AP

On the 11th day, the first franchise tag rested. On the shoulders of No. 10.

The Eagles announced on Thursday afternoon the placement of their franchise tender on receiver DeSean Jackson.

“We want DeSean to be an Eagle for the long haul and this is a step in the right direction to accomplish that,” said Eagles G.M. Howie Roseman said. “DeSean is a talented player and a proven playmaker in this league and we look forward to him continuing his career in Philadelphia. It’s our understanding that he has the same desire. We will continue our efforts on getting a long-term deal done with him.”

The move comes as no surprise. The Eagles weren’t going to let Jackson walk away without compensation. Now, they can try to trade him to a team that would be willing to give Jackson a long-term deal. Or the Eagles can sign him to an acceptable long-term deal.

Jackson’s size and history of injuries (specifically concussions) continue to complicate the assessment of his value. If/when he’s signed to a multi-year deal with significant guaranteed money, the injury risk shifts to the team. Until then, the risk remains with Jackson.

With or without a long-term deal, Jackson will be eligible for a one-year, guaranteed contract that will pay him roughly $9.4 million in 2012. The Eagles can rescind the offer at any time before Jackson signs it — a fact worth keeping in mind, given that the Eagles in the past have stripped the tag from linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and defensive tackle Corey Simon.

Given that Jackson made only $600,000 in 2011, the final season of a four-year slotted rookie deal for a second-round pick, he should run even faster to sign the tender than he did when he returned that punt against the Giants. The only problem is that, once he signs the tender, he loses his leverage. If he doesn’t sign he’s not under contract and he can hold out. If he signs, he’d be subject to stiff daily penalties if he skips mandatory offseason workouts and/or training camp practices.

Of course, with a guaranteed salary of $9.4 million coming, he can more easily afford the fines.

Michael Bush will be available?

Tyvon Branch to get the franchise tag
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on March 1, 2012, 4:58 PM EST
Chicago Bears v Oakland Raiders Getty Images

New Raiders G.M. Reggie McKenzie is currently in slash-and-burn mode. But there are some Raiders that he wants to keep.

Jason La Canfora of NFL Network reports that safety Tyvon Branch has been informed he will receive the franchise tag. DeSean Jackson was the first player this year to officially get the tag on Thursday.

We’d argue that Branch is the best player in the Raiders secondary. The franchise number for safeties is relatively reasonable (under $7 million), so the move makes sense. This eliminates any consideration of Michael Bush for the tag.

It raises some question about whether the Raiders will retain safety Michael Huff, who is due to make $8 million in 2012. $4 million is guaranteed for Huff, so we’d guess that the team will keep Huff. (We also would have guessed the team would keep Kamerion Wimbley. And that’s not looking too likely.)

Branch is a ferocious hitter than can cover a lot of ground. Raiders fans don’t seem overly impressed with McKenzie’s moves so far, but we suspect they will like this one. They should.

Damn, I thought you'd convinced the mods to bring back tags! :cuss:

I'm thinking we tag Bowe here pretty soon. Like tomorrow.

Monday at the latest. Pretty pathetic that Pioli can't get a deal done with him and Carr with all the cap room. Sounds like he's going to let Carr walk. Big mistake IMO.

Although the WR market is quite saturated this offseason, this move by the Eagles will make Bowe an even more hot commodity.

I think we will sign him.

I don't think we will. If we were gonna sign him, whats taking so long?

This has been covered, but with Pioli's good history of signing in house players, I'm of the belief Carr wants top CB money, and it would be silly and bad business to pay top dollar to two CBs. The Chiefs have a lot of money, but that doesn't mean let's foolishly put huge chunks in one position, ala Philly.

I don't think he signs until we make a move at quarterback.

Part of me believes that was one of Bowe's demands. Get me real QB or I sign somewhere else.

Couldn't agree with you more. As long as the Chiefs do spend- and it seems that they want to with all the press conferences they've been requesting- there's no reason to pay a #2 CB top money. In this pass-first league, though it seems counterintuitive, that money is better spent on a top tier pass rusher for the weak side. They better spend, though: now is our time to do so.

GM Bowe would sign a badass QB

Jason La Canfora ‏ @JasonLaCanfora Close
Brees, Rice, Forte, M. Lynch, C. Campbell, Welker will be franchised barring new contracts. Prater, Scobee very likely, too. And a bunch...

Jason La Canfora ‏ @JasonLaCanfora Close
Of WRs - V. Jackson, S. Johnson, Bowe, for example - are in limbo and not sure if they will get tagged or not