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| Tuesday, February 19 Offensive linemen take 'franchise' step By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com |
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It used to be that offensive linemen were considered the blue-collar rank and file of the NFL but, by Thursday evening, the fraternity of blockers likely will have taken another giant step toward validating its members for skill-position status. The deadline for NFL teams to designate players as "franchise" or "transition" free agents arrives on Thursday and three offensive left tackles -- Walter Jones of Seattle, Indianapolis' Tarik Glenn and Jason Fabini of the New York Jets -- are all but certain to be tagged with one of those labels.
It also looks like the Philadelphia Eagles, who had contended for months they would not use the "franchise" tag to limit the mobility of Jeremiah Trotter, will indeed employ the designation for their Pro Bowl middle linebacker. The Eagles brain trust will meet Wednesday to make its final decision on Trotter, but team officials apprised agent Jimmy Sexton on Monday they are leaning toward using the designation. By definition, a "franchise" free agent must be tendered a one-year qualifying offer at the average of the five highest salary-cap figures for his position from the previous season. A "transition" free agent must receive an offer commensurate to the 10 highest salary-cap values at his position. The free agency signing period begins March 1 and some teams will gamble by not utilizing the "franchise" label and hoping to still re-sign a player before he reaches the open market. Pittsburgh probably will not use the "franchise" tag on strongside linebacker Jason Gildon, for instance, but will continue negotiations aimed at reaching a pre-March 1 agreement. There figure to be dozens of deals restructured, and re-signings in place by March 1, and that will further weaken what already is viewed as one of the shallowest free-agent pools since the start of the current system in 1993. One of the intriguing subplots certainly is the rise of offensive linemen. Over the past three years, salaries at the position have spiraled dramatically upward, and so has the respect level. And now the importance of offensive linemen, particularly tackles, will be further reinforced by the use of the "franchise" or "transition" tags. The agents for Jones and Glenn both confirmed to ESPN.com on Tuesday that they have already been told their clients will be tagged. Sources indicated that the Jets, who lost starting right tackle Ryan Young in Monday's expansion draft, will retain the rights to Fabini with the "transition" tag if a contract extension isn't hammered out by Thursday afternoon. "We've been talking to the Seahawks for weeks, maybe months, and haven't been able to come to an understanding," said Rosey Barnes, the agent for Jones, an emerging star among a particularly impressive group of free agent tackles this spring. "So, yeah, they're going to 'franchise' him and we'll go from there. They haven't hinted about the 'franchise' tag, they said they're doing it." Ralph Cindrich, who represents Glenn, acknowledged the Colts' intentions. Cindrich said that he told Indianapolis officials that Glenn's preference was not to be designated, and that negotiations could continue, with the tackle hoping to remain with the Colts. But the team will not take any chances on Glenn escaping and will "franchise" him instead. "No doubt, we've been throwing some big (contract) numbers at the Colts in an effort to finish a deal," Cindrich said. "How high? Well, high enough to make your eyes water but not to give you a nose bleed. We want a healthy contract and our opinion is the 'franchise' tag really is another hurdle to overcome. But it's their prerogative and they've already made up their Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com. |
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