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IRVING, Texas - The deadline to announce the franchise tags on NFL players has come and gone.
While it was expectedly quiet here at Valley Ranch, there were a few surprise tags around the league. Actually, the biggest surprises involved players who didn't receive the franchise tag, a one-year tender offer that not only guarantees the player his salary for that season, but ranges in the top five among salaries for that position.
For the players, they get the guaranteed deal at market value. For the teams, it's a chance to keep them under contract and buy some time to work out a long-term deal that could spread the cap value over a longer period of years.
Either way, several teams had some tough decisions to make.
Among the three players who did receive franchise tags were Detroit's Jeff Backus, who likely would've been the top offensive tackle prospect in free agency. Instead, the Lions gave him the $6.98 million tender that will likely keep him in the Motor City for another year.
The Jets franchised defensive end John Abraham for the third consecutive year, costing them $8.32 million this season, although there have been reports out of New York that Abraham is once again on the trading block. However, teams generally try to acquire two first-round picks in exchange for player with the franchise tag.
Also, Buffalo tagged cornerback Nate Clements, giving him a $5.89 million tender.
Two players also received transition tags, which saves teams a little less in salary, but also gives other clubs an opportunity to negotiate a deal.
Seattle gave Pro Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson the $6.39 million transition tender, while Minnesota did the same for cornerback Brian Williams, who receives a $4.77 million contract for next season.
Transition players must be offered the average of the top 10 salaries at their position for the club to maintain rights of first refusal. However, teams do not receive draft-pick compensation if a transition player ends up signing with another team.
But the biggest news seemed to surround the players who did not receive either franchise or transition tags and will become unrestricted free agents on March 3.
Those big names include Colts running back Edgerrin James, who could've received the tag after Indy signed wide receiver Reggie Wayne to a six-year deal earlier in the week. James has received the franchise tender each of the last two years.
Seattle had the franchise tag to give as well, but a clause in running back Shaun Alexander's contract prevented the Seahawks from placing the tag on the NFL's MVP again. However, it does appear as if the Seahawks will put up enough money in free agency to retain Alexander.
But other players who could be on the move are San Diego quarterback Drew Brees, San Francisco linebacker Julian Peterson, Oakland cornerback Charles Woodson, Baltimore running Jamal Lewis and even a pair of kickers - New England's Adam Vinatieri and Green Bay's Ryan Longwell.
There had been discussions that both kickers could receive the franchise tags - Vinatieri received it last year from the Patriots - but now it appears both will become free agents.
Remember, teams still have a week before the start of the free-agent signing period to either re-sign its own free agents or re-work the contracts for a better fit under the salary cap.
Now of the big names, the Cowboys could have some serious interest in a few of them, particularly the two kickers. If available, Vinatieri and Longwell, along with Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt, are expected to be the best three on the market this off-season.
The Cowboys went through three kickers last year and only have unproven youngster Shaun Suisham on the current roster.
The Cowboys might have some interest in Peterson, who was once considered one of the NFL's best 3-4 outside linebackers. But Peterson has not been the same since an Achilles injury he suffered in the 2004 season. He played 15 games last year but registered only three sacks. His price tag could drop because of the injury, making him an interesting prospect come March 3.
While it was expectedly quiet here at Valley Ranch, there were a few surprise tags around the league. Actually, the biggest surprises involved players who didn't receive the franchise tag, a one-year tender offer that not only guarantees the player his salary for that season, but ranges in the top five among salaries for that position.
For the players, they get the guaranteed deal at market value. For the teams, it's a chance to keep them under contract and buy some time to work out a long-term deal that could spread the cap value over a longer period of years.
Either way, several teams had some tough decisions to make.
Among the three players who did receive franchise tags were Detroit's Jeff Backus, who likely would've been the top offensive tackle prospect in free agency. Instead, the Lions gave him the $6.98 million tender that will likely keep him in the Motor City for another year.
The Jets franchised defensive end John Abraham for the third consecutive year, costing them $8.32 million this season, although there have been reports out of New York that Abraham is once again on the trading block. However, teams generally try to acquire two first-round picks in exchange for player with the franchise tag.
Also, Buffalo tagged cornerback Nate Clements, giving him a $5.89 million tender.
Two players also received transition tags, which saves teams a little less in salary, but also gives other clubs an opportunity to negotiate a deal.
Seattle gave Pro Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson the $6.39 million transition tender, while Minnesota did the same for cornerback Brian Williams, who receives a $4.77 million contract for next season.
Transition players must be offered the average of the top 10 salaries at their position for the club to maintain rights of first refusal. However, teams do not receive draft-pick compensation if a transition player ends up signing with another team.
But the biggest news seemed to surround the players who did not receive either franchise or transition tags and will become unrestricted free agents on March 3.
Those big names include Colts running back Edgerrin James, who could've received the tag after Indy signed wide receiver Reggie Wayne to a six-year deal earlier in the week. James has received the franchise tender each of the last two years.
Seattle had the franchise tag to give as well, but a clause in running back Shaun Alexander's contract prevented the Seahawks from placing the tag on the NFL's MVP again. However, it does appear as if the Seahawks will put up enough money in free agency to retain Alexander.
But other players who could be on the move are San Diego quarterback Drew Brees, San Francisco linebacker Julian Peterson, Oakland cornerback Charles Woodson, Baltimore running Jamal Lewis and even a pair of kickers - New England's Adam Vinatieri and Green Bay's Ryan Longwell.
There had been discussions that both kickers could receive the franchise tags - Vinatieri received it last year from the Patriots - but now it appears both will become free agents.
Remember, teams still have a week before the start of the free-agent signing period to either re-sign its own free agents or re-work the contracts for a better fit under the salary cap.
Now of the big names, the Cowboys could have some serious interest in a few of them, particularly the two kickers. If available, Vinatieri and Longwell, along with Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt, are expected to be the best three on the market this off-season.
The Cowboys went through three kickers last year and only have unproven youngster Shaun Suisham on the current roster.
The Cowboys might have some interest in Peterson, who was once considered one of the NFL's best 3-4 outside linebackers. But Peterson has not been the same since an Achilles injury he suffered in the 2004 season. He played 15 games last year but registered only three sacks. His price tag could drop because of the injury, making him an interesting prospect come March 3.
