Football Chargers use Franchise Tag on Sproles

**dirk digler** · 02-18-2009, 04:46 PM

CHARGERS TAG SPROLES

The San Diego Chargers have applied the franchise tag to running back Darren Sproles, according to Adam Schefter of NFL Network.

Though Schefter characterizes the move as the biggest surprise of the month, we respectfully disagree. There’s no way that quietly embattled G.M. A.J. Smith could have afforded allowing Sproles to become the next budding offensive star to walk away without immediate compensation.

Three years ago, it was Drew Brees, the 2008 AP offensive player of the year. Last year, it was Michael Turner, an MVP finalist in his first season with the Falcons. Though the Chargers might end up trading Sproles to a new team, they’ll at least get something of value in return.

Or maybe they’ll keep him around. He’s likely not sufficiently durable to be an every-down back. If they pair him with LaDainian Tomlinson, perhaps the one-two punch can fuel the offense without leaving either player worn down for the postseason.

Rooster · 02-18-2009, 04:48 PM

Well shit the bed!! He would have looked good in red.

kstater · 02-18-2009, 04:48 PM

This is about as surprising as the Cassel tag. I don't know how Schefter didn't see it coming.

**HemiEd** · 02-18-2009, 04:48 PM

Good for Sproles! That should mean some serious money, he has earned it.

Mr. Laz · 02-18-2009, 04:50 PM

wow ... im surprised

but good for him

**dirk digler** · 02-18-2009, 04:51 PM

I think it is a smart decision by the Chargers because LT is about done

Fritz88 · 02-18-2009, 04:52 PM

F tag over performance in two games?

He's a stud, but I think it was rushed.

**notorious** · 02-18-2009, 04:56 PM

If the Chargers would have traded LT last year and kept Turner, SD would even further ahead in the Afc west.

It was a no brainer decision to me, but I guess SD has a little bit of Chiefs fever. Keep the old because they did great things for you yesterday instead of looking forward to tomorrow.

**Buck** · 02-18-2009, 05:06 PM

****

I don't like this move.

We needed to lock him up to at least a 3 or 4 year deal.

Now the Chargers will have to use a pick in the draft on a RB, where I don't think they would have had to if they signed him to a multi-year contract.

**Buck** · 02-18-2009, 05:10 PM

Okay I rethought it, my last post is pretty dumb.

I do like bringing Sproles back for just one year, he can go elsewhere after that, I don't care. I don't think hes an every down back.

He is set to make $6.62 Million this year. LT's current contract has him at $8 Million this year. AJ Smith has already said that if LT Wants to stay here they are going to have to renegotiate his contract. The numbers that were being thrown around earlier were about $5 Million per yer.

I really don't think that LT is going to want to take less money than Sproles.

**Skip Towne** · 02-18-2009, 05:11 PM

Why is AJ Smith "embattled"?

Valiant · 02-18-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckinKaeding

****

I don't like this move.

We needed to lock him up to at least a 3 or 4 year deal.

Now the Chargers will have to use a pick in the draft on a RB, where I don't think they would have had to if they signed him to a multi-year contract.

I am hoping you all trade LT, get hit with the remainder of his salary and then add in Sproles salary..

That should hopefully take a huge chunk out of your 14m

**Buck** · 02-18-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

I am hoping you all trade LT, get hit with the remainder of his salary and then add in Sproles salary..

That should hopefully take a huge chunk out of your 14m

If we cut LT (which wont happen) the cap hit is $2 Million compared to the $8 Million he is owed this year.

If you really want our cap to be weak then you want LT to stay here.

B_Ambuehl · 02-18-2009, 07:30 PM

I get a laugh over the, "He isn't an every down back" argument. In today's NFL who really is? You need 2 or 3 good backs on your team regardless. At least now they can get something for him if somebody wants him bad enough.

Red Brooklyn · 02-18-2009, 08:51 PM

I love Sproles. I went to high school and college with the guy. He's class. I'm happy for him.

02-18-2009, 04:46 PM
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $114644	Chargers use Franchise Tag on Sproles CHARGERS TAG SPROLES The San Diego Chargers have applied the franchise tag to running back Darren Sproles, according to Adam Schefter of NFL Network. Though Schefter characterizes the move as the biggest surprise of the month, we respectfully disagree. There’s no way that quietly embattled G.M. A.J. Smith could have afforded allowing Sproles to become the next budding offensive star to walk away without immediate compensation. Three years ago, it was Drew Brees, the 2008 AP offensive player of the year. Last year, it was Michael Turner, an MVP finalist in his first season with the Falcons. Though the Chargers might end up trading Sproles to a new team, they’ll at least get something of value in return. Or maybe they’ll keep him around. He’s likely not sufficiently durable to be an every-down back. If they pair him with LaDainian Tomlinson, perhaps the one-two punch can fuel the offense without leaving either player worn down for the postseason.
Posts: 67,118

02-18-2009, 04:48 PM	#2
Rooster Draft a QB Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: JoCo Casino cash: $9951689	Well shit the bed!! He would have looked good in red. __________________ When Reno Hightower was a prick he was the best damn quarterback in the history of Kern County.
Posts: 5,753

02-18-2009, 04:48 PM	#3
kstater Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2007 Casino cash: $-1673437	This is about as surprising as the Cassel tag. I don't know how Schefter didn't see it coming.
Posts: 40,007

02-18-2009, 04:48 PM	#4
HemiEd Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ozarks Casino cash: $-519436	Good for Sproles! That should mean some serious money, he has earned it.
Posts: 34,889

02-18-2009, 04:50 PM	#5
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	wow ... im surprised but good for him __________________
Posts: 95,626

02-18-2009, 04:51 PM	#6
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $114644	I think it is a smart decision by the Chargers because LT is about done
Posts: 67,118

02-18-2009, 04:52 PM	#7
Fritz88 Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $8505943	F tag over performance in two games? He's a stud, but I think it was rushed.
Posts: 12,706

02-18-2009, 04:56 PM	#8
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $-984116	If the Chargers would have traded LT last year and kept Turner, SD would even further ahead in the Afc west. It was a no brainer decision to me, but I guess SD has a little bit of Chiefs fever. Keep the old because they did great things for you yesterday instead of looking forward to tomorrow.
Posts: 88,588

02-18-2009, 05:06 PM	#9
Buck Take a Chill Pill Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Carolina Casino cash: $5980295	**** I don't like this move. We needed to lock him up to at least a 3 or 4 year deal. Now the Chargers will have to use a pick in the draft on a RB, where I don't think they would have had to if they signed him to a multi-year contract.
Posts: 44,607

02-18-2009, 05:10 PM	#10
Buck Take a Chill Pill Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Carolina Casino cash: $5980295	Okay I rethought it, my last post is pretty dumb. I do like bringing Sproles back for just one year, he can go elsewhere after that, I don't care. I don't think hes an every down back. He is set to make $6.62 Million this year. LT's current contract has him at $8 Million this year. AJ Smith has already said that if LT Wants to stay here they are going to have to renegotiate his contract. The numbers that were being thrown around earlier were about $5 Million per yer. I really don't think that LT is going to want to take less money than Sproles.
Posts: 44,607

02-18-2009, 05:11 PM	#11
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	Why is AJ Smith "embattled"?
Posts: 69,689

02-18-2009, 07:30 PM	#14
B_Ambuehl Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Casino cash: $9705405	I get a laugh over the, "He isn't an every down back" argument. In today's NFL who really is? You need 2 or 3 good backs on your team regardless. At least now they can get something for him if somebody wants him bad enough.
Posts: 2,613

02-18-2009, 08:51 PM	#15
Red Brooklyn Veteran Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Some Dude's asshole Casino cash: $8021398	I love Sproles. I went to high school and college with the guy. He's class. I'm happy for him.
Posts: 3,834