Draft Insiders' Digest Premier NFL Draft and Free Agency Publication
Teams Set Franchise Labels Record
Photo - DE Julius Peppers - Panthers
The deadline came for NFL clubs to designate their Franchise tags and this year a record number of clubs used the labels to protect their interest on highly regarded players. The deadline closed with 14 NFL clubs using their Franchise labels with one team, the Ravens using the Exclusive Franchise tag on LB Terrell Suggs. The label gives the Ravens an exclusive tag that means Suggs is not free to negotiate with other NFL team.
The Carolina Panthers used their franchise tag on DE Julius Peppers that guarantees him a 1 year, $16.7 million contract. No other NFL team can sign him without giving up two 1st-round draft picks to the Panthers. Peppers has stated that if the Panthers used the Franchise label on him that he would request a trade. The trading period opens next Friday on February 27 and runs till mid October 2009.
Franchise Labels - NFL Record 14 Teams
x - resigned
y - Exclusive Franchise tag - only current club can negotiate
Franchised Players
x - QB Matt Cassel - Patriots
RB Brandon Jacobs - Giants
RB Darren Sproles - Chargers
WR Antonio Bryant - Bucs
TE Bo Scaife - Titans
OT Max Starks - Steelers
DE Julius Peppers - Panthers
y- LB Terell Suggs - Ravens
LB Karlos Dansby - Cardinals
LB Leroy Hill - Seahawks
CB Dunta Robinson - Texans
FS Oshiomogho Atogwe - Rams
PK Shane Graham - Bengals
P Michael Koenen - Falcons