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Eight Teams Use the Franchise Tag Including the Cowboys

Today was the deadline for tagging a franchise player. The Redskins as expected did not tag Fred Davis. Free agency starts March 12th.

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Via a NFL press release:

Franchise player designations were announced today for the 2013 NFL free agency signing period, which begins at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 12.

A club can designate one "franchise" player or one "transition" player among its veteran free agents.

The salary offer by a player's club determines whether the franchise player designation is exclusive ornon-exclusive.

An "exclusive" franchise player - not free to sign with another club - is offered the greater of (i) the average of the top five salaries at the player's position for the current year as of the end of the Restricted Free Agent Signing Period on April 19; or (ii) the amount of the Required Tender for a "non-exclusive" franchise player, as explained below.

Article 10, Section 2(a)(i) of the CBA sets forth the methodology, known as the "Cap Percentage Average," for calculating the Required Tender for such a player:

The Nonexclusive Franchise Tender shall be a one year NFL Player Contract for (A) the average of the five largest Prior Year Salaries for players at the position . . . at which the Franchise Player participated in the most playsduring the prior League Year, which average shall be calculated by: (1) summing the amounts of the Franchise Tags for players at that position for the five preceding League Years; (2) dividing the resulting amount by the sum of the Salary Caps for the five preceding League Years . . . ; and (3) multiplying the resulting percentage by the Salary Cap for the upcoming League Year . . . (the "Cap Percentage Average") . . . ; or (B) 120% of his Prior Year Salary, whichever is greater . . . .

If a club extends a Required Tender to a non-exclusive franchise player pursuant to this section, the player shall be permitted to negotiate a player contract with any club, except that draft choice compensation of two first round draft selections shall be made in the event he signs with a new club.

The signing period for franchise players begins at 4:00 p.m. (ET) on March 12 and ends on the Tuesday following the 10th week of the season (November 12).

This year, no player was designated as an exclusive franchise player or as a transition player. The following players were designated as non-exclusive franchise players.

2013 FRANCHISE PLAYERS

Club

Player

Position

Buffalo

Jairus Byrd

S

Chicago

Henry Melton

DT

Cincinnati

Michael Johnson

DE

Dallas

Anthony Spencer

LB

Denver

Ryan Clady

OT

Indianapolis

Pat McAfee

P

Kansas City

Branden Albert

OT

Miami

Randy Starks

DT

The 2013 "Cap Percentage Average" tender amounts for non-exclusive franchise players and transition players are set forth below.

NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE PLAYERS TRANSITION PLAYERS

Position

Tender Amount

Position

Tender Amount

Quarterback

$14,896,000

Quarterback

$13,068,000

Running Back

$8,219,000

Running Back

$6,970,000

Wide Receiver

$10,537,000

Wide Receiver

$8,867,000

Tight End

$6,066,000

Tight End

$5,194,000

Offensive Linemen

$9,828,000

Offensive Linemen

$8,709,000

Defensive End

$11,175,000

Defensive End

$9,151,000

Defensive Tackle

$8,450,000

Defensive Tackle

$7,039,000

Linebacker

$9,619,000

Linebacker

$8,358,000

Cornerback

$10,854,000

Cornerback

$9,095,000

Safety

$6,916,000

Safety

$6,002,000

Kicker/Punter

$2,977,000

Kicker/Punter

$2,700,000

In related news, Sensabaugh was released by the Cowboys today, all part of JimmyK's 12 bad Cowboys contract extensions over the last 7 years.