NFL Offseason: Franchise Tags Fly

Six NFL players have had their respected team put the franchise tag on them so far this off season.

A franchise tag is something a team can do once a year to a player about to become a free agent. This restricts the player from hitting the free agent market for one year.

Not only does the franchise tag cost teams money, but it also costs fans nationwide the hope of seeing that player in their teams uniform.

Among those franchised were Indianapolis Colts' tight end Dallas Clark. The Colts were unable to come to terms with Clark, and they didn't want to see him leave, so they ponied up the $4.522 million necessary to keep him a Colt for one year. In the meantime, they will continue to negotiate a long term deal.

Teams can still make contract offers to Clark, but they would have to pay the hefty fee of two first round draft picks, something nobody in their right mind would do (except a desperate Al Davis).

Another player that was recently franchised was Baltimore Ravens' linebacker Terrell Suggs. I had hopes of him coming to Minnesota, but those hopes faded when Baltimore nailed him with the tag. Sugg's tender comes out to $8.065 million for one year.

The amount that a player receives from the franchise tag depends on both his performance and their position. Suggs would've received $8.879 million if he was involved in over 50 percent of the teams snaps this past season. He claims he was and the NFLPA will rule later to see whether he earned the extra $814,000. 

Also franchised was Philadelphia Eagles' tight end L.J. Smith. Another bubble burst for me when the news came across the wire. I had high hopes of his potential future in a purple uniform.

Others to be franchised are Stacy Andrews, Karlos Dansby, and Albert Haynesworth.

In a move that was etched in stone almost before it happened, the Kansas City Chiefs put the franchise tag on defensive end Jared Allen for $8.879 million.

All of these players have high hopes of reaching long term deals, but teams didn't want them to hit the open market, so they paid the necessary money to keep them and will continue to negotiate through the off season.

The latest a player can be franchised is 4 PM EST on Thursday, February 21.