The deadline for players who had been given a Franchise Tag to sign multi-year contracts has passed. July 16th at 4PM marked the close of any such possibility. That leaves Asante Samuel and Lance Briggs in the dust (as far as long-term contracts are concerned), with both players threatening to hold out until the 10th week of the NFL season before they begin to play.
Earlier today, Paul Schackman pointed out that NFL salaries for players on defense have been rising [Going Up: NFL Salaries]. He points out Freeney’s contract and Redding’s contract, but fails to bring up the fact that they both are franchised players. Asante Samuels may have been able to strike the same long-term deal under the clause, but Briggs had been told by his team that they are unwilling to give him a deal any longer than a one-year, $7.206 million contract [Franchise players Samuel, Briggs fail to reach deals].
Salaries may be rising, but could it be at the expense of some players? Is it fair when one team offers its franchised player a great deal while another team refuses to grant a pay day that their player deserves? Does Lance Briggs even have a right to be bitching?…that’s another question.
I have talked about the Franchise Tag at length in past posts. Some include Lance Briggs as the subject:
-Darren Heitner
