****** "Official" 2012 Franchise Tag Thread ******

[Joker]

at this point I'd like to interject one of my patented wild theories that Mo Lewis hates so much and opine that this makes it easier for Lloyd to look at the Pats as his next landing spot...there's the built in "the Rams didn't really want me" excuse and the "I really wanted to play in Josh's system" excuse for taking a little less on a contract.

Time will tell....

 

[MoLewisrocks]

MikeReiss: RT: @AdamSchefter: The Patriots will place their franchise tag on wide receiver Wes Welker by today's 4 pm deadline.

I was tempted to like this post just on principle but I'm still hoping we get a deal done in the next couple of weeks as we did with Wilfork and Mankins when we tagged them.

 

[Kjmass1]

I was tempted to like this post just on principle but I'm still hoping we get a deal done in the next couple of weeks as we did with Wilfork and Mankins when we tagged them.

Yeah I'm hoping they'll still be able to hammer out a deal.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

at this point I'd like to interject one of my patented wild theories that Mo Lewis hates so much and opine that this makes it easier for Lloyd to look at the Pats as his next landing spot...there's the built in "the Rams didn't really want me" excuse and the "I really wanted to play in Josh's system" excuse for taking a little less on a contract.

Time will tell....

I really have no idea what Lloyd is worth or what he thinks he's worth. Reiss was guesstimating around $4M, which I fear is low, but if it's less than $5M for 3 or less I say sign the system beast. Heck, they threw 4x3 at Stinko last year and while he didn't to a damn thing we still went to a superbowl...

 

[ayjackson]

So when does FA/new league year begin?

 

[jmt57]

March 13 at 4 pm ET

So when does FA/new league year begin?

Jason LaCanfora says that the Cowboys have franchised OLB Anthony Spencer. Also, the Broncos tag kicker Matt Prater.

LaCanfora also says this means the Cowboys will target DBs in free agency, which means more competition for the Pats as they look to upgrade the secondary.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I was tempted to like this post just on principle but I'm still hoping we get a deal done in the next couple of weeks as we did with Wilfork and Mankins when we tagged them.

Pats FO thinking short money for Welker?

 

[Uncle Rico]

Welker officially tagged, per Bedard.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Pats FO thinking short money for Welker?

Who knows. Floyd isn't the most creative bulb on the tree - look what he gave Mankins. I expect the usual we want Wes to retire a Patriot type announcement from the team and reiterated by Robert shortly. But they seemed to have their concerns last fall given the two year offer of $16M fully guaranteed - although that was before they could be sure he was fully rebounded and then some from the ACL. I just think they are being penny wise and pound foolish if that's the case. As they were with Gaffney, even. Whereas Ocho and even Randy Gene they should have been wiser with their pennies... $8/8 is a needlessly tough cap hit too given the flat cap. As is $9 + and potentially $11. They could easily have structured a 3-4 year offer with a little more guaranteed money and twice as much again in total valyue and hardly felt the pinch if they absolutely had to part with him come year 4 because he fell off the proverbial cliff. If they are that worried about durability with a guy who has hardly missed a game in 5 seasons even after suffering an ACL and who always gives it 110%...find a god damned punt returner...should have done that 3 years ago.

 

[Deus Irae]

And a punter gets franchised:

Per a league source, the Giants have applied the franchise tag to Weatherford, who has spent only one season with the team.

Source: Giants put franchise tag on Steve Weatherford | ProFootballTalk

 

[Deus Irae]

Another high end WR gets the tag, as old friend Pioli uses K.C.'s...

The Chiefs did what just about everyone expected them to do on Monday afternoon by placing the franchise tag on wide receiver Dwayne Bowe.

Dwayne Bowe gets the franchise tag | ProFootballTalk

 

[Deus Irae]

Colts tagged Robert Mathis as precaution but are deep in talks on long-term deal and both sides hope to have that done shortly

Twitter / Jason La Canfora: Colts tagged Robert Mathis ...


Update and potential conflict in the reports:

Just in: Colts and Robert Mathis have reached a tentative agreement on a long-term contract. He will not be franchised.

http://twitter.com/bkravitz/status/176772235036606464

Update 2, as Breer seems to resolve the conflict:

Can confirm Robert Mathis and Colts have agreed to terms on a deal. Club will tag him to provide time to work out the final details.

http://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/statuses/176774016563032067

 

[goheels22002]

Welker franchised. Mike Wallace and Vincent Jackson are not. Great news. The Pats could sign Jackson/Wallace to a deal and give up their #1 - while still using the New Orleans pick a few slots ahead.

Both will get the high tender at WR in the $2.75 million range (I think) so another $1 million ought to do the trick for three or four years to force the Steelers' or the Chargers' hand.

Welker, Wallace/Jackson, Branch, Gronkowski, Hernandez and Ochocinco is a great receiving corps. All sizes and shapes with outside the numbers threats. Three youngsters and three geezers - well, Welker is not a geezer just yet.

 

[jmt57]

Colts franchise Robert Mathis per PFT.

 

[Deus Irae]

The Bucs have used their franchise tag on K Connor Barth, who set a new team record for FG accuracy in 2011.

Twitter / Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs have used their f ...

 

[Deus Irae]

So looks like 20 teams used tag (5 kickers), only STL, CAR, SD, PIT, MIN, MIA and NJ) didn't use tag or sign potential tagged player

Twitter / Jason La Canfora: So looks like 20 teams use ...

 

[jmt57]

Funny freudian slip by Jason LaCanfora.

https://twitter.com/#!/JasonLaCanfora/status/176778436172451840

So looks like 20 teams used tag (5 kickers), only STL, CAR, SD, PIT, MIN, MIA and NJ) didn't use tag or sign potential tagged player​

Some of the players not tagged:

DE Mario Williams
WR Mike Wallace
G Carl Nicks
WR Vincent Jackson
WR Marques Colston
Jets: Sione Pouha, Dolphins: Paul Soliai

 

[TriplecHamp]

Welker franchised. Mike Wallace and Vincent Jackson are not. Great news. The Pats could sign Jackson/Wallace to a deal and give up their #1 - while still using the New Orleans pick a few slots ahead.

Both will get the high tender at WR in the $2.75 million range (I think) so another $1 million ought to do the trick for three or four years to force the Steelers' or the Chargers' hand.

Welker, Wallace/Jackson, Branch, Gronkowski, Hernandez and Ochocinco is a great receiving corps. All sizes and shapes with outside the numbers threats. Three youngsters and three geezers - well, Welker is not a geezer just yet.

thought VJax was unrestricted

 

[DaBruinz]

Welker franchised. Mike Wallace and Vincent Jackson are not. Great news. The Pats could sign Jackson/Wallace to a deal and give up their #1 - while still using the New Orleans pick a few slots ahead.

Both will get the high tender at WR in the $2.75 million range (I think) so another $1 million ought to do the trick for three or four years to force the Steelers' or the Chargers' hand.

Welker, Wallace/Jackson, Branch, Gronkowski, Hernandez and Ochocinco is a great receiving corps. All sizes and shapes with outside the numbers threats. Three youngsters and three geezers - well, Welker is not a geezer just yet.

Vincent Jackson is a UFA, not an RFA.

 

[jmt57]

Chiefs franchise Dwayne Bowe

Dwayne Bowe gets the franchise tag | ProFootballTalk


That leaves CB Brandon Carr available as a free agent.