For those of you who don't know, the new CBA has changed the way the franchise tag works. Josh broke it down like a high-priced lawyer in an earlier post, but basically what he meant is for the team to use the exclusive free agent tender on a player, they need to drop a sweaty wad of cash in that player's hand.
There are 27 Bengals free agents, 20 of which are unrestricted, heading into the offseason and the team will undoubtedly try to re-sign some of them. Some of the players that they will try to re-sign will include Mike Nugent, Reggie Nelson, Manny Lawson, Pat Sims and a few more.
It's doubtful, at least to me, that the team uses the franchise tag on any of these guys, but just in case, let's look at what they would have to spend on certain players.
Position
2012 Franchise Tag Value*
2011 Franchise Tag Value
Quarterback
$16.1 million
$14.4 million
Running Back
$7.7 million
$9.6 million
Wide Receiver
$9.4 million
$11.4 million
Tight End
$5.4 million
$7.3 million
Offensive Line
$9.4 million
$10.1 million
Defensive End
$10.6 million
$13 million
Defensive Tackle
$7.9 million
$12.5 million
Linebacker
$8.8 million
$10.1 million
Cornerback
$10.6 million
$13.5 million
Safety
$6.2 million
$8.8 million
So let's say they feel like they may need to apply the tag to Reggie Nelson to keep him around. In 2011, Nelson made $957,500, so a jump from slightly less than $1 million to $6.2 million for one year would be massive and way too much.
How about Manny Lawson? In 2011, he made $3 million on a one-year contract. Again, a jump from a one-year, $3 million to a one-year, $8.8 million is way too much. Not going to happen.
Then there's Pat Sims. The jump from the $555,000 that Sims made in 2011 is $8.8 million. That's one hell of a pay increase and even though I like Sims, he's not worth it. So that's a no.
Some of you may be worried about the team losing Anthony Collins, but he also made $555,000 in 2011 and the $8.8 million pay raise for a one-year contract if the team used the tag on him would be way too much of a price to pay to keep him around.
So after looking through all of the free agents that the Bengals stand to lose, there isn't one of them that is worth the money that a franchise tag would guarantee them. If they were forced to use the tag, I would say they should use it on kicker Mike Nugent (and of course we don't have the number for kickers), but I don't even think that will happen.
But it's not important what I think. What do you think?
0 recs | 12 comments
Since safety is the lest expensive tag
thats even more of a reason to tag Reggie, he base salary will be close to 6 million anyways. Its a no brainer to me
AMAS85 - February 15, 2012
+1
I don’t get the “it’s too expensive argument.” They’ve got plenty of cash. He was the teams best playmaker in the secondary last year and they can’t afford to let him leave in free agency. Tag him. Problem solved.
Animal_Like_Football - February 15, 2012
yea, Crocker has a base of 4 million right?
so 6 million for Nelson is a steal. Granted, Crocker has a good chance of being released but that gives you a measuring stick on how much Nelson should be worth. He should have a base around 5 to 6 million.
AMAS85 - February 15, 2012
And if we don't give it to him
someone else will
Oregonbengalsfan - February 15, 2012
for sure
He is an elite safty. IDK what more you could ask for in a FS. And thats the crazy part, he plays FS but plays like a linebacker. And has good ball skills, he doesn’t miss many opportunities for turn overs.
AMAS85 - February 15, 2012
I think we should just sign all of our Players that can come back and contribute
Anthony Collins OT
Reggie Nelson FS
Pat Sims DT
Jonathan Fanene DL
Frostee Rucker DL
Mike Nugent K
Maybe
Manny Lawson LB
Bobbie Williams OG
Touhue Cha - February 15, 2012
We'll prob use it on Nugent to buy us time
Other than that, can’t see anyone getting tagged.
Mexal - February 15, 2012
Mikes pretty tight with his money
and he’s not a fool about it either. I’ve got a better chance of making the team than those guys getting franchised.
BENGALS69 - February 15, 2012
4 guys on the entire roster may be worth it
A.J., Whit, A.D., and maybe Gresh. Nobody else has earned it, and though some teams may covet our players and force us to get close to those numbers, No other team is likely to offer those numbers either.
keithster - February 15, 2012
Dang
Nelson & Simms didn’t make jack last year compared to some of their counter parts. I hope they stay but I don’t blame them if they can do better for themselves.
Bigcatdaddy - February 15, 2012 via Android app
so the price of a tag went down in most positions?
Bengalsfan024 - February 16, 2012
Probably a result of the new CBA.
kazahani2 - February 16, 2012
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