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How Franchise Tags Could Shape Market
By Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas – It's well-established that the Cowboys have a decision to make on outside linebacker Anthony Spencer by March 5, assuming a new deal isn't struck before then.
Franchise or free agency?
Do they guarantee Spencer $8.8 million next season, at least temporarily, and perhaps negotiate a more cap-friendly extension before the 2012 season? Or do they let Spencer hit the market and possibly take a deal that's too much for Dallas to match, a little like Chris Canty's $42 million contract with the Giants was in 2009? Executive vice president Stephen Jones told reporters Wednesday in Indianapolis, the site of this week's NFL Scouting Combine, that the organization values Spencer and is still mulling the franchise tag.
It's their biggest roster issue of the offseason, one that will have a ripple effect on their priorities. Teams across the league are saddled with similar decisions, and some of them might influence the Cowboys' plans at targeted positions.
Let's look at the landscape for three Cowboys position needs that could be altered by franchise tags elsewhere:
Guards
The Cowboys have two part-time veteran starters, Montrae Holland and Derrick Dockery, headed for free agency, and the club might be inclined to upgrade at least one guard position regardless. The top free agent is Saints All-Pro Carl Nicks, who played for new Cowboys offensive line coach Bill Callahan at the University of Nebraska. Nicks said publicly this week that he'd prefer a deal in line with teammate Jahri Evans' $56 million extension. That might be too pricy for the Cowboys. But even if they were interested in pursuing Nicks, he's a top candidate for a $9.4 million franchise tag if the Saints re-sign quarterback Drew Brees before March 5, according to NFL.com. Same for the Ravens' Ben Grubbs, with running back Ray Rice the top priority in Baltimore.
Pass Rushers
The market for top pass rushers (defensive ends and linebackers) also will diminish if teams step up to keep their own guys. Arizona's Calais Campbell had eight sacks from the end position last year, and the Cardinals have said publicly they'll franchise him if necessary. That's one less option. Indianapolis' Robert Mathis (6-2, 245) is probably a better fit for outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense like the Cowboys', but there's always a chance he gets the $10.6 million defensive end franchise tag from the Colts. Mario Williams is another top option despite a season-ending knee injury in 2011, and it might be difficult for the Texans to re-sign him under their salary cap. Franchising him will reportedly cost $22 million under the new collectively-bargained franchise formula, meaning it'll probably require a more cap-friendly extension to keep him.
Wide Receivers
The Cowboys need receiver depth, but that's not why it made the list. Here's the twist, and it has to do with free agent Laurent Robinson's market value: It will rise if a bunch of receivers get franchised, virtually assuring they're off the market. Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson, New England's Wes Welker, Buffalo's Stevie Johnson, San Diego's Vincent Jackson (again), Kansas City's Dwayne Bowe and New Orleans' Marques Colston are all considered low to high possibilities for the tag. Let's say three or four get franchised. Robinson, who caught a Cowboys-best 11 touchdown passes in 2011, then would move into the top handful of available receivers. He has stated he'd like to return to Dallas, but his offers elsewhere might increase.
All three of these spots are worth watching throughout the league over the next couple of weeks.
By Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas – It's well-established that the Cowboys have a decision to make on outside linebacker Anthony Spencer by March 5, assuming a new deal isn't struck before then.
Franchise or free agency?
Do they guarantee Spencer $8.8 million next season, at least temporarily, and perhaps negotiate a more cap-friendly extension before the 2012 season? Or do they let Spencer hit the market and possibly take a deal that's too much for Dallas to match, a little like Chris Canty's $42 million contract with the Giants was in 2009? Executive vice president Stephen Jones told reporters Wednesday in Indianapolis, the site of this week's NFL Scouting Combine, that the organization values Spencer and is still mulling the franchise tag.
It's their biggest roster issue of the offseason, one that will have a ripple effect on their priorities. Teams across the league are saddled with similar decisions, and some of them might influence the Cowboys' plans at targeted positions.
Let's look at the landscape for three Cowboys position needs that could be altered by franchise tags elsewhere:
Guards
The Cowboys have two part-time veteran starters, Montrae Holland and Derrick Dockery, headed for free agency, and the club might be inclined to upgrade at least one guard position regardless. The top free agent is Saints All-Pro Carl Nicks, who played for new Cowboys offensive line coach Bill Callahan at the University of Nebraska. Nicks said publicly this week that he'd prefer a deal in line with teammate Jahri Evans' $56 million extension. That might be too pricy for the Cowboys. But even if they were interested in pursuing Nicks, he's a top candidate for a $9.4 million franchise tag if the Saints re-sign quarterback Drew Brees before March 5, according to NFL.com. Same for the Ravens' Ben Grubbs, with running back Ray Rice the top priority in Baltimore.
Pass Rushers
The market for top pass rushers (defensive ends and linebackers) also will diminish if teams step up to keep their own guys. Arizona's Calais Campbell had eight sacks from the end position last year, and the Cardinals have said publicly they'll franchise him if necessary. That's one less option. Indianapolis' Robert Mathis (6-2, 245) is probably a better fit for outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense like the Cowboys', but there's always a chance he gets the $10.6 million defensive end franchise tag from the Colts. Mario Williams is another top option despite a season-ending knee injury in 2011, and it might be difficult for the Texans to re-sign him under their salary cap. Franchising him will reportedly cost $22 million under the new collectively-bargained franchise formula, meaning it'll probably require a more cap-friendly extension to keep him.
Wide Receivers
The Cowboys need receiver depth, but that's not why it made the list. Here's the twist, and it has to do with free agent Laurent Robinson's market value: It will rise if a bunch of receivers get franchised, virtually assuring they're off the market. Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson, New England's Wes Welker, Buffalo's Stevie Johnson, San Diego's Vincent Jackson (again), Kansas City's Dwayne Bowe and New Orleans' Marques Colston are all considered low to high possibilities for the tag. Let's say three or four get franchised. Robinson, who caught a Cowboys-best 11 touchdown passes in 2011, then would move into the top handful of available receivers. He has stated he'd like to return to Dallas, but his offers elsewhere might increase.
All three of these spots are worth watching throughout the league over the next couple of weeks.