News Flash: The 4pm Thursday deadline has come and gone without the Patriots placing the franchise tag on any of their players, including Adam Vinatieri who was their franchise player last year.
News Flash: Baltimore running back Jamal Lewis says New England is one of four teams he’s interested in playing for.
Teddy’s Take: It’s good to have some football news to talk about. The Pats left us way too early this winter.
The “franchise tag‿ story bears mentioning because Bill Belichick has used it in the past on Vinatieri. BB must be pretty confident he can get the clutch kicker’s signature on a long-term deal or he wouldn’t risk this. Not with Bill Parcells looking for a leg in Dallas. I say, count on Vinatieri being here till the day he hangs up his kicking shoe and begins the countdown to Canton.
As for Lewis, it’s an intriguing thought, but I don’t see it happening. The Pats just don’t shell out the dough for big name free agents, and when they do, it’s a below market deal for a guy looking to come here and win a Super Bowl rather than a money grab. Lewis doesn’t strike me as the Corey Dillon type who’s already made big bucks and now wants a ring to validate his career. Lewis has already hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in his Ravens days. My hunch is he’s looking for one more big cash score before his body gives out. Those legal bills add up, you know.
That’s my take……what’s yours?
Ted,
What is your take on the status of the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations? This afternoon on WEEI, they were discussing not only Vinatieri not being given the franchise tag, but the apparent lack of the tag being used at all this off-season. I believe they said there are only three teams that assigned the tag this year.
Steve Deossie mentioned he thought this is due to the CBA negotiations. The talk was that there is some discourse among the big and small market owners that is causing a delay with the agreement and that it is possible the season start date may be pushed out in an effort to get the agreement completed this year, this could then cause a delay in free agency start date and the franchise tag designation etc.
What are your thoughts?
I miss football already and would hate to see the season delayed, but I also strongly believe there is a need to get the CBA completed and continue the salary cap. I can see it being raised, but the cap is necessary. This is what allows the teams to be competitive and gives expansion teams an opportunity to compete. I doubt the Panthers would be this successful in 10 years without the Cap and Free Agency. Baseball would be much more competitive with a salary cap, but that is a topic for another day…
Anyway, after listening to the idiots on The Big Show, I thought I would turn to you for an opinion. Thanks!