"There are no guarantees the NFL's franchise tag will remain in place with a new collective bargaining agreement, but that hasn't stopped several teams from using the designation to keep a top-level player from hitting free agency.
The Vikings became the latest Monday when Chad Greenway was given the team's franchise tag. That means Greenway will be in line to receive a one-year contract offer that is worth the average of the top five salaries at linebacker from last season, or about $10 million. The Vikings also can discuss a long-term extension with the 28-year-old, who led the Vikings with 149 tackles last season.
"My initial reaction is I'm excited to be a Viking for at least another year," said Greenway, who was told of the decision by coach Leslie Frazier.
"Obviously, I'm hoping to get a long-term deal done when a CBA is reached because I want to be a Viking my whole career. I'm excited to play for Coach Frazier and [linebackers coach] Mike Singletary, [defensive coordinator Fred] Pagac again."
The Vikings didn't use the designation on Sidney Rice, who could stand to become a free agent depending on what happens with the CBA. Rice was a Pro Bowl receiver in 2009 but played in only six games in 2010 after having hip surgery. He has four years of service and could end up being a restricted free agent.
The threat of an NFL work stoppage on March 3 when the current CBA expires makes this a dicey situation. The NFL Players Association contends the franchise designations will not be valid when the CBA expires and, if there is a lockout, teams and players won't be able to negotiate at all.
The Vikings might have gotten a long-term extension done with Greenway during the 2010 season, but the team put almost all contract discussions on hold because of the CBA uncertainty. The last time the Vikings used the franchise tag was for tight end Jim Kleinsasser in 2003.
The tag has been used by nine teams this month, and Greenway has been given the non-exclusive franchise label, which means the Vikings get the right of first refusal.
If the Vikings elected not to match, they would receive two first-round draft choices as compensation. Greenway said his agent, Marvin Demoff, and Vikings vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski had some discussions.
Greenway, who grew up on a hog and crop farm in Mount Vernon, S.D., made it clear that he would not complain about being restricted by the franchise label."
No comments:
Post a Comment