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February 20, 2008
Franchise tags for other positions
With the Panthers' application of the franchise tag to offensive tackle Jordan Gross -- they'll pay him $7.455 million in 2008 -- I thought people might be interested in tag amounts for other positions. The tag figure comes from averaging the salaries of the top five players at that position for the previous year. Gross's figures comes not just from tackles, but from all offensive linemen.
Quarterback, naturally, brings the biggest tag, at $10.73 million.
Next is cornerback, at $9.465 million, followed by defensive end at $8.879 million. The others are linebacker ($8.065 million), wide receiver ($7.848 million), running back ($6.538 million), defensive tackle ($6.363 million), tight end ($4.522 million), safety ($4.396 million) and punter/kicker ($2.514 million).
Gross could still sign a long-term contract with Carolina until July 15, but following that date, he's stuck with the tag for the season. And if a deal hasn't been done by now, it's not all that likely to be completed in the coming months, although still possible. Carolina could conceivably tag Gross again next year, although that's highly unlikely. -- STAN OLSON
Posted by Observer Sports on February 20, 2008 at 10:20 PM | Permalink
Comments
Can they get a trade even though he has a tag on him?
Posted by: SYRPIS | Feb 20, 2008 10:33:55 PM
That's a great question, S. Anyone out there have an idea? I'll see what I can find out tomorrow...
Posted by: stan olson | Feb 20, 2008 11:05:02 PM
The Panthers, I believe, can trade his rights, but the other team would get him by the same terms as we do (i.e. first right of refusal and two 1st-rounder penalty if another team signs him.) This might mean, for example, that there was a team unwilling to pay two first-rounders, but would be willing to part with a 1st, 2nd, and 4th. The taking team and the player work out a contract before the trade happens. The NBA has its sign-and-trade, and the NFL has its trade-and-sign. For a concrete example, see the Wes Welker trade from last year. Welker was under a 2nd-round tender from the Dolphins last year, but the Dolphins would have matched what the Patriots were willing to pay if they Pats had submitted an offer sheet. When the Pats threw a 7th in with the 2nd, they agreed to let him go. (Link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2788847 )
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 21, 2008 12:55:53 AM
Why is the franchise tag for an OT, the average of the top 5 salaries for all OL positions, whereas it is a separate category for DE, DT, instead of all DL as a whole? Am I missing something here?
Posted by: Prashanth | Feb 21, 2008 1:56:40 AM
Big difference between tendering a restricted free agent and franchise tagging an unrestricted free agent Procton. Nice "concrete" try though, you're a cute kid.
Posted by: Paul Z. | Feb 21, 2008 7:31:58 AM
That would be hilarious to franchise Gross again next year. Don't think it will happen though because surely the team will realize how big of an overpaid BUST he is after this season. Right?
Posted by: Mike | Feb 21, 2008 7:35:10 AM
Prashanth, I think it's because more o-linemen are likely to play multiple positions over the course of a season or career than d-linemen. Further, the gap between DEs and DTs is much larger than the spread between OTs and OGs.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 21, 2008 10:07:37 AM
And PZ, there's really not. Applying the franchise tag is essentially using your option to turn one player into an RFA with a tender of the average for the top 5 players at the position and two firsts as compensation.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 21, 2008 10:11:42 AM
Remember any team can sign him to an offer sheet which the Panthers can either match or allow him to leave, the signing team takes the cap hit (of course) and also gives up 2 1st round picks; the loss of the picks really limits the mobility of any franchised players. I would think that in light of this a trade for a franchised player would be difficult since such a player can command a high value for the team that signs him without having to go through all the hoops of trade negotiations
Posted by: Ben | Feb 21, 2008 11:58:14 AM
You're right, Ben...it's difficult, but the question was "Is it possible." It is, and it has happened.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 21, 2008 1:26:22 PM
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