Just some hard updates here, Dansby has been tagged by Zona, and the Ravens have said that Suggs will either be signed or tagged. 2 big names off the market there. Deuce McAllister and Fred Taylor given walking papers by the Saints and Jags respectively.
Looks like the 6'3" 320 lbs. Brown likes Miami and expects to get an offer from them. http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/story/908623.html
I think Brown is the best option for Miami to upgrade the Center position. Every year there is rookie players coming into the NFL that seem to be on their way to the Pro Bowl within a season or two... But after their Rookie season, they appear to be back-ups at best for a few years.
Dansby getting tagged REALLY sucks! I wish Parcells/Ireland would configure some blockbuster trade for Dansby and Boldin but that is no more than wishful thinking... Brown is big but I don't know anything about him? Hopefully Donald Thomas will be ready to go and injury free this year as well as Smiley... Bly anyone? I always loved him and thought we should've picked him over Goodman at that time....
More info for you all. Terrell Suggs has been locked up by the Ravens with a fanchise tag. Ray Lewis looks like he might hit the market. Darren Sproles has been tagged by the Chargers as well. In Carolina, negotiations with Jordan Gross are stalling and the Panthes need to decide if they want to tag him or Peppers.
Lets pray the talks break down tomorrow and they have to pick one or the other. It would be nice to have either.
I like the fact that we are looking to bring in Jason Brown. He is one of the few FA's that I really want. He could really change the offense for the better. It would really help when playing 3-4 NT's which Satele really stuggled with during the course of the year. His power and size would create more holes and give us depth more depth at guard (Expecting Satele to move to gaurd)
Oshiomogho Atogwe has been tagged by the Rams, and the Bucs slapped their tag on WR Antonio Bryant (damn, I was big on him). Still no word on Asomougha. Also, dug this item up-not widely publicized, but the Chiefs are planning to convert to a 3-4 defense. *Edit*All info coming from ESPN webby.
Sportscenter, Clayton saying the Panthers are now close to a deal with Gross. They expect to get him signed before the tagging deadline, letting them slap it on Peppers. Its still possible he gets moved, but I doubt we will explore that option.
Peppers situation could get ugly if they tag him when he obviously really wants to leave and go somewhere else. No way we trade for him if he gets tagged
It looks like the Raiders and Asoumgua are very close to making a long term deal. http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/02/19/raiders-asomugha-closing-in-on-a-deal/ \ Now we don't have a chance to get him but neither does New England and that is good...
Dunta Robinson has been tagged by the Texans. http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/02/19/texans-put-franchise-tag-on-cb-dunta/
Neither Miami nor New England ever had a chance with Asomunga. Peppers will get tagged. He'll whine and complain and threaten to sit out unless he's traded...and then he'll play the 2009 season a very rich man.
Apparently San Diego is interested in trading for him if he is tagged. But yeah, he will play '09 for the Panthers if not.
Its official, Peppers tagged http://espn.go.com/nfl/ As well as Max Starks for Pitt and Leroy Hill for Seattle and Bo Scaife for Tenn.
I have to say, the Julius Peppers situation has made me very critical of the franchise tag. Wasn't he tagged last year also? It just seems to me that once he has played out his contract he should be allowed to do what he wants. If they were so desperate to keep him let them give him a good contract offer.
How is Starks worth it and Carey not ?? I find that odd because imo Carey has been much better than Starks.
The NFLPA agrees to a collective bargaining contract which provides for use of the franchise tag. The parameters of the collective bargaining agreement is the player's contract with the league. It is part of the deal just as much as anything between the player and the team.
Not sure about why, he was terrible for the Jets when they went to a 3-4. Think he is pretty much a 4-3 at this point.
More info on Scott and Brown: They have the same agent. Could there be a conflict of interest? AGENT THINKS JASON BROWN OR BART SCOTT WILL LEAVE THE RAVENS http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/02/24/agent-thinks-jason-brown-or-bart-scott-will-leave-the-ravens/
I wouldn't mind seeing the NFL and players Union coming to an agreement saying teams can not tag some one in consecutive years.
yeah but as you continue to franchise tag, the money gets even higher and higher... the way the franchise works is the player gets the average of the top 5 highest salaries OR 20% over what they made the previous year, whichever is higher... so after the first franchise year, the next would increase by the 20%, since that would be higher than the top 5 average again... so say if matt cassell's number this year is $14 mil, next year would be $16.8, the year after would be $20, etc... it gets too high and you have to either cut them loose or sign them to something...