Franchise Tags will be available Feb. 10th

[Dpantherman]

Greg Bedard of the Boston Globe reports that the league has informed all NFL teams that the franchise tag will be available this offseason, beginning February 10.

Teams were previously operating under this assumption. Confirmation came today.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/02/franchise-tags-to-be-available-february-10/

[Stumpy]

So the inevitable question is, which player do we use it on?

Thomas Davis:

Showed signs of being a dominant LB, and could be a major player in what would be one of the leagues best LB corps in the league. But, he s coming off two major knee surgeries, so he is a major question mark. As such, he will probably not garner a better offer than what we would be willing to give him.

ODDS: 0%

Deangelo:

Top tier RB. Could get a rich deal from most any team in the NFL. Some will say that he is closing in on 30 and would be a bad investment. However, he has less carries (NCAA+NFL) than many younger backs in the league. Has a great rapport with both the team and his fellow backs. Also has stated multiple times, that he knows that playing in a two back system will prolong his career and effectiveness. He will likely sign a long term deal with the Panthers.

ODDS: 10%

Ryan Kalil:

He is as much the anchor of our offensive line as Gross is. Panthers paid #69 when his time came. I believe we will do the same here. He has proven that he deserves top 3 NFL OC money. Also to franchise Kalil, we would have to give him the avg of the top 5 LTs in the league. Way too much for a center. We give him the top tier money he is looking for.

ODDS: 15%

Richard Marshall:

Good, not great starting CB. Would likely get a big FA deal if he were to hit the market, as good CBs rarely make it to free agency. But, the Panthers have had good success, in the recent past, with finding later round DBs. As such, we have some promising young talent behind him. If Rivera feels there would be a big drop off, this could be a possibility. But, I think, we will offer him a comparable contract to what he is worth. He will more than likely walk.

ODDS: 25%

Charles Johnson:

Had a breakout year in 2010, without much other talent on the line to help him out. He has started to show the promise that we have been salivating over for years in TC and in backup roles. However he has only had one highly productive season, and needs to prove a little more before warranting the big-time contract he will command if he lives upto this past seasons expectations. This would be my choice. Slap with a 1st and 3rd tender snd if someone else wants him that bad, then we will have the option to take his replacement in Bowers #1 and have another 1st and 3 3rds to fill our other holes.

ODDS: 50%

Let the debate begin

[frash.exe]

Charles Johnson pl0x

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Kalil

[Stumpy]

Kalil

Wow??? How did I miss that one?

[Nicbsbll2]

It's gotta be Kalil all the way.

[janderson20vt]

Kalil needs a contract. He's a player we should most certainty lock up.

[Stumpy]

It's gotta be Kalil all the way.

See above. He deserves top NFL Center money, and he will get it. He does not deserve top LT money.

[KillerKat]

Marshall will not be a Panther next season.

[Dpantherman]

Kalil will get a contract

[jtnc]

Johnson. Especially if we don't get Fairley.

[panthers55]

Under the current system Johnson would be a restricted free agent and would get a first and third tender. If the CBA get reworked and it goes back to four then he would be unrestricted. So I doubt we go the tag route on him. Can't see us spending 12.3 million on him for one year. I would think we look for a long term contract at a fair price. Because honestly he is a contract year performer. Up until this year there was nothing remarkable about him but potential. I hope and expect he will keep it up. Still I can't see him being worth 12 million.

Davis is damaged goods and will get a good contract to stay here. And he'll wait on it and take it.

Kalil does deserve top center money and we should get a deal done or at least let him know what is will be pending the CBA since Richardson said he wouldn't sign anyone until there was an agreement. They won't franchise him at 10.75 million for one year.

Marshall will stay if he is reasonable or get replaced by someome else. If he wants to stay I am sure we can work it out. But if he wants top corner money, it will be elsewhere. I doubt he is in high demand.

Deangelo is the one guy we could franchise and not greatly overpay him. But if we apply a non-exclusive franchise tag to him we will still have to pay him 8.156 million. I would think a contract averaging closer to 6 million a year might be more likely. Otherwise I think they will go with Stewart and Goodson and pick up someone in the draft. Don't see them spending big bucks on him although he deserves it. He produced for the last 4 years at a bargain price.

My guess is they won't use it on anybody.

[Hoenheim]

can some one remind me what type of defense we will be running next year? I'm trying to teach myself all of the defensive positions so I can be more familiar with where specific players would be on the field..

[Dpantherman]

Franchise Tag numbers for 2010 (to get an idea of $ amounts...will obviously be increased):

CORNERBACK: $9.566 million (franchise), $8.056 million (transition)

DEFENSIVE END: $12.398m, $10.193m

DEFENSIVE TACKLE: $7.003m, $6.353m

LINEBACKER: $9.680m, $8.373m

OFFENSIVE LINE: $10.731m, $9.142m

PUNTER/KICKER: $2.814m, $2.629m

QUARTERBACK: $16.405m, $14.546m

RUNNING BACK: $8.156m, $7.151m

SAFETY: $6.455m, $6.011m

TIGHT END: $5.908m, $5.248m

WIDE RECEIVER: $9.521m, $8.651m

http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2010/01/official_franchisetransition_t.html