Back in 1993, the NFL's collective bargaining agreement made it possible for teams to chose one player per year from among its veteran free agents to receive either the franchise tag or the transition tag. The salary of that player is determined by the position he plays.
A transition player receives a minimum offer of whichever of the following is greater:
The average of the salaries of the 10 highest paid players in the league at his position.
or,
120 percent of the player's previous year's salary.
A transition player can receive offers from other teams, but the player's previous team has a week to match the offer. If the club matches, it retains the player. If it doesn't match, it receives no compensation when the player leaves for his new team.
A franchise player receives a minimum offer of whichever of the following is greater:
The average of the salaries of the five highest paid players in the league at his position
or,
120 percent of the player's previous year's salary.
Teams have until Feb. 22 to designate their franchise or transition players. Players like cornerbackAsante Samuel, who tied for the league lead with 10 regular season interceptions, and tight end Daniel Graham, who was named a team captain mid-year, are considered possible candidates for the Patriots tag. Keep in mind that the team could tag any of its free agents, but these guys are likely to receive big contracts given their recently high quality play and the lack of league-wide availability at their respective positions. Also, the team could designate a franchise player and still trade him to another interested team.
New England has never designated a transition player, but here's a list of the players the Patriots have franchised since the collective bargaining agreement took hold:
· 2002 – Kicker Adam Vinatieri was tagged, but the Pats eventually removed the tag and signed him to a three-year contract extension.
· 2003 – Safety Tebucky Jones was tagged as a franchise player, then traded to the Saints in exchange for draft picks. He landed back on the Patriots roster this year, but was placed on season ending injured reserve before the first game.
· 2005 – Vinatieri was tagged again and played under the one-year deal before signing with the Colts as a free agent prior to the 2006 season.
Notes: Although he wasn't selected to the Pro Bowl this season, Patriots quarterback (and three-time Pro Bowler) Tom Brady will still be kicking it with celebs and pro athletes while playing golf in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which takes place from Feb.5 to 11 in California. Other celebrities playing in the tourney include sportscasters Chris Berman, Joe Buck and Bob Griese and former players Emmitt Smith and Harris Barton. Also, actors Ray Romano, Kevin Costner, Bill Murray and Craig T. Nelson will be playing, as will professional surfer Kelly Slater.
