News: Agent's Take: NFL key dates and what they mean for your team

[yimyammer]

Here's an article that talks about key dates and terms for various teams.

I was surprised to learn that the franchise and transition tags have to be used by March 2nd so things should start heating up as we get closer to the 2nd as Dallas will have had to have already agreed to terms with Dez or be forced to franchise him on or before the 2nd.

Dallas related blurbs:

February 15

1. This is the deadline for the Dallas Cowboys to pick up the option on defensive tackle Henry Melton's contract for an additional three years worth $24 million. If the option is exercised, Melton's $9 million 2015 base salary becomes fully guaranteed on the first day of the 2015 league year (March 10), which would make him a candidate to lower his $9,308,843 cap number through a restructure. $8,382,311 of cap room will be gained if Dallas passes on the option.

2. The 2015 and 2016 contract years of Dallas Cowboys tackle Doug Free void. He will become an unrestricted free agent when the 2015 league year starts. Dallas is going to have a $3.98 million salary cap charge from the bonus proration associated with Free's 2015 and 2016 contract years. February 16 (22nd Day Before the Start of the 2015 League Year)

February 16

1. This is the first day of a two-week period where teams can designate franchise or transition players. It's practically a certainty that Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant,

March 2

The period for designating franchise or transition players ends at 4 p.m. ET. If the Dallas Cowboys or Denver Broncos can re-sign Dez Bryant or Demaryius Thomas to long-term deals beforehand, running DeMarco Murray or tight end Julius Thomas could receive a designation.

March 12

2. $7.5 million of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo's $17 million 2015 base salary is already fully guaranteed. An additional $7.5 million, which was guaranteed for injury at signing, becomes fully guaranteed.

March 14

7. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee's $2.5 million 2015 base salary, which was guaranteed for injury at signing, becomes fully guaranteed. The $2.5 million was guaranteed for injury at signing. He missed the 2014 season with a torn ACL in his left knee.

 

[xwalker]

Here's an article that talks about key dates and terms for various teams.

I was surprised to learn that the franchise and transition tags have to be used by March 2nd so things should start heating up as we get closer to the 2nd as Dallas will have had to have already agreed to terms with Dez or be forced to franchise him on or before the 2nd.

Dallas related blurbs:

They can still negotiate a contract after they franchise a player. It's up to the player to sign the tag. If he does not sign it, then the team can rescind it. Obviously they would rescind it once they agree to a contract.

 

[yimyammer]

good to know.

They can only utilize it during that 2 week window right? They couldn't franchise Dez, work out a contract with him a few weeks after March 2nd and remove the tag and then use it on Murray or someone else right?

I was surprised to see how tight the window is to use the tags

 

[CF74]

He missed the tag!! He missed the tag!! Somebody had to say it..

 

[xwalker]

good to know.

They can only utilize it during that 2 week window right? They couldn't franchise Dez, work out a contract with him a few weeks after March 2nd and remove the tag and then use it on Murray or someone else right?

I was surprised to see how tight the window is to use the tags

Even if they could, Murray would have already been available as a free agent for those few weeks. If a team was going to sign him they would likely do it in that time frame. The purpose of the tag is to prevent the player from getting to free agency.