The deadline for NFL teams to put the franchise tag on players is fast approaching and no team has made a move yet.
They have been able to do so since Feb. 20 and while reports have leaked out about how some teams are planning to use the tag, no tags have been applied.
There have been reports that the Redskins are going to designate tight end Fred Davis as their franchise player. However, they have yet to do so. That would give Davis a salary of $5.4 million for the 2012 season.
The Redskins are also looking around the league with great interest to see who else around the league gets tagged. According to one report they are interested in signing a big-name wide receiver. But they can’t firm up their plans until they see if the likes of the Chargers’ Vincent Jackson or the Chiefs’ Dwayne Bowe are designated as franchise players.
Although some franchise players have usually been designated by now, there really is no urgency to do so. Waiting gives the team and the player more of an opportunity to work out a long-term deal, which is usually in the best interests of both parties.
Then again, contract negotiations do not have to stop once the tag is applied. The team and the player can agree to a long-term deal any time up until July 15. If a new deal is not signed by then, the designation, and the accompanying salary cap hit, will be locked in for the season.
When the tag is applied, the player has the option to sign the tender or not. If he signs, the salary is immediately guaranteed for the season. He is then under contract to the team and must attend mandatory minicamp and training cap.
If the player chooses not to sign, he does not have to attend any activities prior to the start of the season. The risk the player runs is that the team can withdraw the tag at any time.
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