The deadline for team's to apply the Franchise Tag on one of their soon-to-be free agent players passed yesterday. Five players received the sometimes dreaded tag:
Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs, LB
Little surprise here. Houston was probably the best defensive player not named J.J. Watt in the league last year. It doesn't sound like Houston is too happy with the tag but he does have 13.195 million reasons to like it a little.
Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos, WR
The tag simply gives the Broncos more time to work out a long-term deal. There was very little chance that Thomas was going to be wearing a different uniform next year.
Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys, WR
There may have been some question whether this tag could have gone to running back DeMarco Murray. Jerry Jones made it real clear that Bryant wouldn't be set free.
Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants, DE
Some thought that Pierre-Paul was fading but he had 12.5 sacks last year and was stout against the run. It's hard to believe that he's been in the league for five years and he's only 26. The Giants couldn't lose him.
Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots, K
This was a surprise with safety Devin McCourty currently scheduled to become a free agent. If the Patriots felt that they had to decide between McCourty or Darrelle Revis it looks like they have made their choice. I still think that the Patriots find a way to keep both defensive backs. Gostowski will be getting $4.56 million as a franchised kicker.
All five of these Franchise Tags were of the non-exclusive variety. Other teams can talk to and negotiate with the players if they haven't signed the tag and made it a contract. If another team signs the player it will cost them two first round picks.
One player was saddled with the less-often used Transition Tag:
Charles Clay, Miami Dolphins, TE
The Transition Tag allows the Dolphins to match any offer that another team might make for Clay. It's also cheaper than the Franchise Tag.
The Franchise Tag is dreaded by most players. It may give the disappointed player an excellent salary for one year but it provides no long term security. It's only for one year and team and player must go through this money dance again. More importantly, the Franchise Tag provides no big signing bonus for the player. On the good side, the Franchise Tag gives team and player more time to come to an agreement on a long term contract.
The NFL announced yesterday that the 2015 salary cap has been set at $143.28 million. The salary cap for 1995 was $37.1 million. For 2005, $85.5. Times, they are a-changing.
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