CLEARING THE AIR ON FRANCHISE DESIGNATIONS
There was plenty of misinformation in the media regarding the rules that applied to the efforts of the New York Jets to trade defensive end John Abraham. Some journalists suggested that, given Abraham's status as the team's franchise player, there was a specific deadline for a trade. Others suggested that there was a looming deadline by which Abraham could receive offers from other teams.
Here's a quick summary of the relevant rules, as amended by the new CBA.
The Jets could have signed Abraham to a long-term deal, and kept him with the team, at any time. If they had done so prior to March 25 or after July 15, they would have been able to use the franchise designation again in 2007. If they had done so after March 25 but before July 15, they would have lost the franchise designation for 2007 only. (Under the old CBA, the Jets would have forfeited the ability to utilize the franchise designation for the life of the deal. The new CBA amended that rule.)
Abraham could have entertained offers from other teams through July 15 or the date on which the first training camp opens, whichever is later. Of course, any offer sheet that Abraham signed would have required the new team to send two first-round picks to the Jets as compensation, if the Jets didn't opt to match the deal (and opt to match they wouldn't have done).
Here's the key -- the Jets could have signed Abraham to a long-term deal and traded him to a new team at any time, with no loss of the franchise tag in 2007 if he was traded on the same day that he signed the long-term deal.
(FROM PFT Talk...)
http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm
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