2009 NFL Franchise Players

The NFL has a unique form of free agency that allows for more parity than many other sports league. Combined with the salary cap it allows for the worst team in the league from one year to become a contender the next, like the 2007 (1-15) vs. the 2008 (11-5 and AFC East Champions Miami Dolphins. One feature that makes free agency work is the Franchise Tag.

The franchise tag allows each team to designate one unrestricted free agent as their franchise player. This tag is used on players who are very valuable to the team and would be hard, if not impossible, to replace. There are two types of the franchise tag. "Exclusive" franchise tags are an offer no less than the average of the top 5 salaries of players at that position in the league in April of that same year or a 20% raise, whichever is more. Say for example that a player was paid $10 million last year and the average of the top 5 players in the coming year will be $11.5 million, the player would have to be offered at least $12 million. "Exclusive" tags prevent the player from negotiating with any other team. The "Non-exclusive" tag is an offer of the average of the top 5 players at that position for the last year (this would be the top 5 player salaries from 2008) or a 20% raise, whichever is more. "Non-exclusive" players can negotiate with other team and if they sign an offer, their current team has the right to match or lose the player and get two first round draft picks from the team that the player signed with. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchise_tag]

Many teams weigh the advantages and disadvantages of "tagging" a player. It can be very expensive. For example, a "non-exclusive" quarterback this year would cost $14.65 million. Teams sometimes use the tag to keep the player and then try to sign a long term deal. Others will tag a player and then try to negotiate a trade with another team. However, teams only have until February 19^th to tag a player this year, so they have to decide soon. As of the writing of this article, only two players have been tagged: Matt Cassel, QB, New England Patriots and Michael Koenen, P, Atlanta Falcons. Last year 12 teams used their tag and here is a look at who each team would franchise and how likely they are to do so.

Arizona Cardinals - Last year they used their tag on Karlos Dansby. They may do so again as they would love to retain his services at a cost of $9.68 million. He wants a long term contract so with a little work, they might be able to lock him up.

Atlanta Falcons - The Falcons have already tagged Michael Koenen as their franchise player at a cost of $2.483 million.

Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens have a lot of talent that will be going on the market and they don't have a lot of cap room ($19 million). Center Jason Brown is a young player who is very talented and it would be hard on the Ravens if they lose him. In addition Terrell Suggs, their franchise player from last year will be a free agent along with Ray Lewis and Bart Scott meaning that their linebackers could be torn apart. Kicker Matt Stover and punter Sam Koch are both invaluable, too. Chances are very good that Suggs will be tagged again at a cost of $10.17 million.

Buffalo Bills - The Bills don't have any big name free agents this year. None of the players who enter free agency as unrestricted free agents will be worth the salary that they would have to shell out for them. Even though they won't use it, the most likely recipient would be Jabari Greer ($9.9) or one of their two centers, Melvin Fowler or Duke Preston ($8.451).

Carolina Panthers - The Panthers used their tag last year on tackle Jordan Gross. He is a free agent again this year, but Carolina's tag almost certainly will go to Julius Peppers, just so they can trade him to another team. Julius has said he wants out of Carolina so he will be tagged and then traded so the Panthers will get some value out of it.

Chicago Bears - The Bears have six free agents this season. Three of them were starters last year. Safety Mike Brown has been plagued by injuries. Tackle John St. Clair will be replaced by last year's number one choice, Chris Williams. Brandon Lloyd was very up and down last season. Overall, their best bet would be franchising Brown for $6.342 million, but with his injury history, they will most likely not use their tag.

Cincinnati Bengals - Last off season, the Bengals used their tag on Stacy Andrews. This year they have a number of free agents they need to address. Stacy will be a free agent again as will kicker Shayne Graham and star receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh. The Bengals would hate to see Housh go, but they don't want to tag him and he doesn't want to be tagged. The best chance at someone getting tagged is Cedric Benson, who had a strong finish to the year, who will cost them $6.62 million.

Cleveland Browns - Cleveland will have to decide if either MLB Andra Davis or safety Sean Jones is worth the tag. They will probably decide that neither player is worth the tag figure that they would demand and try to sign both to long term deals. However, the most worthy player is probably Jones who would cost $6.34 million.

Dallas Cowboys - Ken Hamlin, a strong safety, got the tag from the Cowboys last year. This year they have seven guys who will be free agents. The obvious choice for the tag among the Cowboys free agents is DE Chris Canty. The Cowboys will probably try to lock him up long term as he is a solid young player instead of tagging him to hold him for one year. If they end up giving him the tag, he will cost $8.99 million.

Denver Broncos - The Broncos are not known for using the tag and this year will be no exception. This year they don't have anyone who is probably worth the tag. If they did need to pick one player, MLB Nate Webster would be the best choice, but he isn't worth the $8.3 million.

Detroit Lions - Detroit has 16 guys who played for them last year that might not be coming back. Only one player among those 16 is worth considering and that is kicker Jason Hanson. Rumors out of Detroit are pointing to Hanson being tagged by the end of this week at a cost of $2.48 million.

Green Bay Packers - The Packers tagged defensive tackle Corey Williams last year only weeks before trading him to the Browns. This year they only have one player who merits a second look. Mark Tauscher, their offensive tackle, would be a big loss on their line, but he is probably not worth the $8.45 million he would earn if tagged.

Houston Texans - The Texans have one really big name guy that will be an unrestricted free agent, CB Dunta Robinson. Yes, I know Owen Daniels is a free agent, but he is restricted, so he won't be franchised. The Texans will try to work out a long term deal with Robinson, but if he is not signed by the 19^th, they will place the tag on him to keep him around for a while at $9.9 million.

Indianapolis Colts - Tight end Dallas Clark was tagged by the Colts only days before signing a long term deal last year. This year they have two guys to think about who they would like to do the same thing with. Center Jeff Saturday is a huge part of the team's success. When he was missing this season with injuries, the Colts struggled. Punter Hunter Smith will also be a free agent this year and would be missed if he left. The Colts will probably try to work a long term deal with both, but may end up tagging one to keep them around. Saturday is the more important piece to the team, but Smith is more affordable and since they are an estimated $2 million over cap already, they will opt for Smith at $2.48 million.

Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jaguars have two free agents who will be courted by a lot of teams. These are center Brad Meester and middle linebacker Mike Peterson. Both are good players, but Peterson has worn out his welcome in Jacksonville. Though they will probably not tag either, Meester is the best option at $8.45 million.

Kansas City Chiefs - When the Chiefs tagged DE Jared Allen last year, they used him as trade bait to get a first round pick from the Vikings. This year they have 6 total free agents and only 3 of those are unrestricted. None of the unrestricted guys are worth the tag, but their guard Adrian Jones would be the top choice. He is not worth the $8.45 he would cost them.

Miami Dolphins - Miami have nine free agents, but one stands out above the crowd - MLB Channing Crowder. There are other players who would be worth re-signing, but Miami will consider the tag for Crowder to keep him in Miami. He would cost them $8.3 million.

Minnesota Vikings - 18 players who suited up for the Vikings last season are going into free agency, including 14 unrestricted free agents. The two who will cause the Vikings to consider the tag are center Matt Birk and safety Darren Sharper. Though both have been around for a while, they are both worth a look. Sharper may be losing a step, however, thereby making Birk the better option at a cost of $8.45 million.

New England Patriots - The Patriots have used their franchise tag on backup QB Matt Cassel at a cost of $14.65 million. Should Tom Brady be ready to go for training camp, Cassel may be put on the trading block since the Pats are very close on the salary cap.

New Orleans Saints - Guard Jahri Evans is a restricted free agent, so the best remaining free agent for the Saints is MLB Jonathan Vilma. Vilma wasn't as good as hoped last year and the Saints are projected to be $5 million over the cap, so he probably won't be tagged this year at a cost of $8.3 million.

New York Giants - The Giants have a giant dilemma - their top two running backs are free agents. Brandon Jacobs is the top back and will probably justify a strong look at the tag. The Giants would be wise to keep him around, even at a cost of $6.62 million.

New York Jets - The Jets middle linebacker, Eric Barton, is their only player who deserves a look from them. He would cost $8.3 million, but they could get a better player for less. Also, the Jets were $7 million over the cap before the retirement of Favre, so now they only have about $7 million left to work with. Franchising Barton would be a mistake for this strapped franchise.

Oakland Raiders - Nnamdi Asomugha was given the exclusive tag last year. Should the Raiders decide to tag him again, he would cost at least $11.7 million since he was an exclusive tag last year and would therefore get a 20% raise. However, the Raiders may choose to keep punter Shane Lechler around for a cost of $2.48 million. It's a tough decision, but losing Lechler could hurt a lot and his cost is less for a team already stretched thin.

Philadelphia Eagles - The Eagles tagged TE LJ Smith last year. This year, they will try to decide between tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas and safety Brian Dawkins. Runyan is coming off an injury and Dawkins is getting older, so Thomas is probably the best option. None of them are probably worth the tag, but should they tag Thomas, it would cost $8.45 million.

Pittsburgh Steelers - Pittsburgh has a reputation for working with young guys to replace veteran free agents in stead of paying them the big money they seek. They will probably stick to their same habits, but should they decide to veer from their regular plan, Marvel Smith, despite his back problems, is the best player heading into free agency. He would cost $8.45 million.

San Diego Chargers - The Chargers don't have any really big players heading into free agency. The biggest name is RB Darren Sproles after his huge post season performance. With LT under contract, they probably will not use their tag this year, but if they do, Sproles is probably the best value at $6.62 million.

San Francisco 49ers - The 49ers are in a situation where they aren't too worried about their free agents either. Head Coach Mike Singletary isn't a fan of JT O'Sullivan and won't want to keep him around very badly. Aside from him, the only big name is Bryant Johnson. Johnson would be nice to hold on to, but losing him wouldn't be fatal. If they do use the tag, which they probably won't, they would keep Johnson for $9.88 million.

Seattle Seahawks - CB Marcus Trufant was tagged by the Seahawks last off-season. This year they have a number of free agents, but only two make huge differences. DT Rocky Bernard and OLB Leroy Hill will both warrant consideration. Hill is the better player and would have been tagged, but in January he was caught with marijuana. So Bernard is more likely now than earlier this year and would cost them $6.06 million for next year. They still may move toward Hill, but his value took a big hit with that arrest.

St. Louis Rams - The Rams will almost certainly slap the tag on safety Oshiomogho Atogwe. Nobody else heading into free agency is even in the same league as him. He will cost the team $6.43 million.

TampaBay Buccaneers - Two Buccaneers will be looked at for the Tampa tag. Antonio Bryant is a receiver that the Bucs would love to keep. Jermaine Phillips is one of the best safeties out there. In the end, they will try to work a deal with each and then tag the one that doesn't sign. Phillips is probably the better player, but with the lack of receivers Bryant will get the tag for $9.884 million.

Tennessee Titans - The Titans infuriated Albert Haynesworth last year by giving him the tag. They will do everything they can to sign him this year, but reportedly, he had a clause in his last contract that they wouldn't franchise him again. The two players who stand the best chance of getting the tag this year are kicker Rob Bironas and tight end Bo Scaife. Losing Bironas would be tough to overcome, as he is one of the best kickers in the league right now. The franchise tag on him would only cost $2.48 million and would keep the kicker around for another year.

Washington Redskins - The Redskins are not in good shape financially. They were $3 million over the cap before a couple of contracts were restructured. If they make any move, it will be tagging kicker Shuan Suisham, but he probably isn't worth the $2.38 million he would require.