And here come the Franchise Tags...

[Carlota69]

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.

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by Carlota69

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.

man Bush would be a perfect #2 in KC, and free up a draft pick for us...

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora reports the Titans are "likely" to place the franchise tag on free agent CB Cortland Finnegan after all.
The Titans never engaged in serious long-term talks with Finnegan, and all previous indications pointed toward the organization letting their top corner walk. The Rams and Cowboys were expected to be among Finnegan's most fervent suitors. Under the tag, Finnegan would earn roughly $10.5 million in 2012. Free agent CB Brandon Carr's stock is on the rise as perhaps the top corner available.




Adam Schefter‏@AdamSchefterReply
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Falcons will place the Franchise Tag on CB Brent Grimes.



Carr's value just went sky high

[RUSH]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

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

I think you're giving him too much credit.

2nd contract and pretty much all contracts are all about the $$$. This is likely going to be his biggest pay day for the rest of his life and he wants to cash in. I don't think the qb situation matters much, if at all.

I think the qb situation will start to matter towards the end of his 2nd contract so he can cash in again. And if a qb is holding him back then he's going to get frustrated.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by Messier

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.

Originally Posted by Stanley Nickels

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.

IMO, Carr is a #1 CB and outplayed Flowers last season.

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

IMO, Carr is a #1 CB and outplayed Flowers last season.

He outplayed him on the number 2 wr lets see what he does on the number 1 100% of the time. Carr last year was on the number 1 about 15%

[Mr_Tomahawk]

[QUOTE=ChiefsandO'sfan;8411847

Carr's value just went sky high[/QUOTE]

We need to tag/tender or figure out a way how to include Carr in a package deal for the Rams #2 pick...

Is that possible?

[Hoover]

Scott needs to sign Dwayne Bowe today. Pay the man, so we can tagg Carr's ass.

[bricks]

Originally Posted by BossChief

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

Can they afford to keep him? That's what I'm thinking about.

They sure do have the cap space to take on Mannings contract, and if Manning goes to KC, I think Wayne follows him.

I do think they are going to take a run at Solai as well. That's three big contracts right there in Manning, Wayne and Solai. Plus, they need money for the draft as well. I'm not sure if they can afford to keep Bowe? Look at all the cap space the rest of those other players are going to take up.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by ChiefsandO'sfan

He outplayed him on the number 2 wr lets see what he does on the number 1 100% of the time. Carr last year was on the number 1 about 15%

Prove it.

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Prove it.

Go watch a game lol see it for your own eyes.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by ChiefsandO'sfan

Go watch a game lol see it for your own eyes.

Translation: I made up a BS statistic and was talking out of my ass.

[DBoweShow]

Flowers and Carr were 1A and 1B corners, so I don't see the need to argue about #1 or #2 corner.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by DBoweShow

Flowers and Carr were 1A and 1B corners, so I don't see the need to argue about #1 or #2 corner.

I agree. But when people claim "we don't need to pay #1 money for a #2 CB" it's absolute garbage. Carr is a #1 CB.

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Translation: I made up a BS statistic and was talking out of my ass.

You need to go watch a game bud....

[Mr_Tomahawk]

So is there a scenario out there where we can include Carr in a package deal to the Rams for their #2?

And what would that scenario be?

Would we tag him, and what additional picks would we have to give up?