So far there have been five players to receive franchise tags (Haloti Ngata, Logan Mankins, Michael Vick, David Harris and Vincent Jackson) and one transition tag (David Akers) but there are plenty of rumors surrounding other possibilities. Here’s a look at some of those players.
Dallas Cowboys – Doug Free
Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com reports that despite Dallas’s offensive line needs, it doesn’t appear that the Cowboys will use the franchise tag on OT Doug Free.
Instead, Dallas may end up waiting to see if the new CBA will make Free a restricted free agent which would allow them to sign him to the highest possible tender so that they any team willing to sign Free would also have to give a future first- and third-round draft pick.
Not all that bad of an idea but if the end up losing him they may have a hard time putting together a solid o-line group for the upcoming season.
Atlanta Falcons – Tyson Clabo
Earlier speculation had the Atlanta Falcons considering designating OT Tyson Clabo with the teams franchise tag but as Jason La Canfora of NFL.com is reporting, that idea remains purely speculative.
In the time being the Falcons will until to March 4th to negotiable an extension with Clabo. No matter what’s included in the CBA agreement, Clabo will have enough NFL experience (6 season) to become an unrestricted free agent.
Cincinnati Bengals – Johnathan Joseph & Cedric Benson
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com takes a look at the Cincinnati Bengals options for their franchise tag. Johnathan Joseph and Cedric Benson are considered to be the only players worth of the franchise tag. Prisco points out that Joseph makes the most sense but adds that it could cost the Bengals around $14 million to do so. Benson on the other hand may cost less but as Prisco points out, “you can always find backs.”
The Bengals may have some of the toughest decision to make this offseason considering that Benson and Joseph as set to become free agents and Carson Palmer has already requested a trade. Making the right decision for the future of the team should be top priority considering that retaining all of the before mentioned players wouldn’t make them Super Bowl contenders next season.
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