2009 NFL Players with Franchise Tags

The deadline to apply the franchise tag for 2009 has passed and nearly half the teams in the league decided to use their tag this season. This decision is difficult for teams to make because even though it guarantees the player tagged a high contract, it does not allow them to explore market value through free agency, as many teams are scared away from trying to sign a franchised player who costs them not only a lot of money, but also two first round draft picks.

For those unfamiliar with the NFL's franchise tag, it is a part of free agency in the NFL. Each year, each team is given the option to use one franchise tag. By using the tag on a player, they get the average salary of the top 5 players at their position or a 20% increase in their current salary, whichever is greater. There are two forms of the franchise tag. The "Exclusive" tag means that the player may not talk with other teams and gives him the salary of the top 5 players at his position in the upcoming season. The "Non-Exclusive" tag gives the player the salary of the top 5 players from last season and allows the player to entertain offers from other teams, with the tagging team given the right to match the offer or two first round draft choices if they choose not to match.

This year, 14 teams decided to tag a player. Here is a look at each player and why he was tagged using current salary information from each player's profile on www.foxsports.com and the franchise values listed on wikipedia:

The Arizona Cardinals tagged linebacker Karlos Dansby for the second straight year. This means that he will be paid 120% of his salary from last season unless the team can work out a long term deal with him before the start of the season. Dansby was a big part of the Cardinals defense in their Super Bowl run and the Cardinals wanted to keep him in Arizona at a cost of $9.68 million for the year.

The Atlanta Falcons placed their franchise tag on punter Michael Koenen. Good punters are hard to find and their franchise price is relatively low ($2.483 million).

The Baltimore Ravens again used their franchise tag on linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs. This could be an expensive decision, not because Suggs will get a 20% raise to $10.17 million, but because by tagging Suggs, they allow linebackers Ray Lewis and Bart Scott to become free agents as well as center Jason Brown, kicker Matt Stover, and punter Sam Koch. These guys will draw a lot of attention in the free agent market if they aren't resigned and though Suggs loss would have been devastating, they will probably lose a lot of talent this off season.

The Carolina Panthers tagged defensive end Julius Peppers despite his wishes to leave Carolina. The Panthers couldn't bear to see their star defensive lineman leave with no compensation, so they placed the tag on him with the intention of trading him. Peppers has complicated matters by saying that there are only four teams he would consider going to in a trade, but expect to see something worked before the upcoming draft. If something goes badly and a trade isn't done, Peppers would cost $16.7 million next year.

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Shayne Graham received the Bengals franchise tag. He will cost $2.483 million next year. However, by using their franchise tag on him, they are almost assured to lose wide receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh. He will draw a lot of attention on the free agent market and probably wants to go somewhere where the team can win while Cincinnati rebuilds. In addition to the loss of Houshmandzadeh, the Bengals may lose running back Cedric Benson as he becomes a free agent as well.

The Houston Texans franchised cornerback Dunta Robinson. Robinson has missed a lot of games over the last couple of years, but when he played, he was one of the best corners in the league. The Texans weren't able to reach a deal before the franchise deadline and to avoid losing him, used the tag. Robinson was not happy about the use of the tag, but the Texans will try to sign him long term to ease tensions. If they are not able to sign him long term, he will cost $9.957 million next year.

The New England Patriots decided that quarterback Matt Cassel was worth the tag. At a price of $14.651 million, Cassel is too pricy for a backup quarterback, so if the Patriots decide that Tom Brady is back to healthy, they may trade Cassel to a team needing a quarterback.

New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs received a tag as well. Jacobs is a bruising running back and having him around will keep the Giants running attach effective. He will cost the team $6.621 million next year, but the Giants may try to reach a long term deal to keep him around longer.

The Pittsburgh Steelers pulled a surprise move by tagging tackle Max Starks. Starks was designated a "Transitional" player last season at a cost of $6.9 million, but the franchise tag will cost the Steelers $8.451 million. Starks is not the best tackle in the league - in fact he is probably not in the top 5, but the Steelers have 3 of their starting 5 linemen as well as important backups that will be entering free agency, so by tagging Starks, they maintain a little continuity at the very least. In addition, if the Steelers can bring in a couple of draft picks and teach them the system, they will only be died to Starks for one year.

San Diego Chargers running back Darren Sproles received their tag. He will cost them $6.621 million. The Chargers decided that they could not be sure that LaDainian Tomlinson would be healthy this season. This would leave them extremely short handed and they decided against letting him go. Expect Sproles to see an increase in his playing time because he is too expensive to be a kick returner and a backup running back.

The Seattle Seahawks tagged linebacker Leroy Hill despite his recent legal woes. Seattle liked his play and wanted to sign him long term or franchise him to keep him around. His legal troubles have decreased some of the interest from around the league, but the Seahawks didn't want to chance losing him. Leroy will cost $8.304 million this season.

The St. Louis Rams kept safety Oshiomogho Atogwe around by tagging him. The Rams found Atogwe to be too good to pass up and they want him around as they try to rebuild their team. His salary will cost the Rams $6.342 million next year and he will be well worth it.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave wide receiver Antonio Bryant their franchise tag. Bryant wanted to see what he was worth on the open market after a big season, but the Buccaneers wanted to keep him around. Bryant also has concerns about who will be the starting quarterback next year. Jeff Garcia is leaving town, but the Buccaneers did re-sign Luke McCown. Bryant worries that without a good quarterback throwing to him, his numbers may decline, thus reducing his value in free agency.

The Tennessee Titans signed kicker Rob Bironas to a four year deal only hours before tagging tight end Bo Scaife as their franchise player. While defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is their biggest name, he has contract provisions from last year that prevent them from tagging him again this year. Scaife was a huge part of their passing game, really coming into his own this season, and Tennessee decided that they didn't want to lose one of the best up and coming tight ends in the league. At a figure of $4.462 million, he was a bargain for what he provides the team.

Of the 14 players franchised, one is almost certain to be traded. Two will be backups if the players whom they filled in for last season return to 100%. At least 2 are unhappy about the tag. The other 9 are premier players who will help their teams out this year and if the team is unable to sign them long term, they will help out another team next year.