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web page Eagles put franchise tag on tight end Smith Associated Press PHILADELPHIA -- Tight end L.J. Smith, who was scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the month, was given the franchise tag by the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday. Thursday marked the first day of the offseason that teams could use the tag. Although Smith can receive offers from other teams, the tag gives the Eagles seven days to match. A team signing him would have to give up two first-round picks as compensation. "Any player wants a long-term deal -- that's what you want, to feel secure in your job and also your family's position, but I'm OK with it right now," Smith said. "I definitely would have preferred a long-term deal but, hey, my agent, he's going to want to talk with the team, and who knows? I didn't even think I was going to get this. Maybe they can get something worked out later on." If he signs with the Eagles, Smith will receive a one-year deal worth the average of the top five highest salaries earned by tight ends. "L.J. Smith has been a very productive tight end in our offense," coach Andy Reid said in a statement. "He is healthy and working his tail off so he can have a very successful 2008 season." Injuries hampered the five-year veteran throughout last season. He underwent surgery for a sports hernia in May, injured his groin in training camp in August and missed the final three games of the regular season with a sprained knee. Smith, 27, finished with 22 catches for 236 yards and only one touchdown in 10 games after a combined 111 receptions for 1,293 yards and eight touchdowns in the previous two seasons. "Going into the season, I guess they wanted to see me another full season healthy and they'll make their decision, and I wasn't healthy," Smith said. "I wasn't able to perform at a high level for a majority of the season and I didn't even finish the season healthy."Philadelphia Eagles That isn't the case now, Smith said. "I feel great right now," he said. "I'm healthy." Had they let Smith go, the Eagles would have had to acquire another tight end. The only other tight ends on the roster are Brent Celek, who had a promising rookie season, and veteran backup Matt Schobel. Although Smith still has to sign the contract, he is unlikely to end up elsewhere because teams aren't likely to part with two first-round picks to sign him. "After the season, I said goodbye to my teammates, and I really thought I wasn't going to be back," Smith said. "So today, I feel weird -- just them giving me the franchise tag. But I mean, hey, I've always wanted to be here. I just think it's another opportunity for me to showcase my stuff." 'Tis the Season to be playing Tag...
Last edited by Referee 3; 02/19/08 10:00 AM.
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... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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If he signs with the Eagles, Smith will receive a one-year deal worth the average of the top five highest salaries earned by tight ends
I thought I might add I saw somewhere that the average for the top five was around 4.75 mill which puts KW2 right in with the top paid TE in the league, as he should be.
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Call me crazy, but Smith is not worth that kind of money.
I AM ALWAYS RIGHT... except when I am wrong.
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I'd call you crazy, but then I'd get banned for name calling,,,  Actually, I was going to ask if anyone thought he was worth the tag money!
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There's a feeling that the Eagles did it merely as a tactic to hold on to his rights to extend negotiations. Realistically, he's an average tight end with the skill set to be an elite tight end.
Not many Philly fans like Smith, and Smith has already made outrageous contract demands in the past. It's an interesting move to say the least. Reid's not a guy who needs a great receiving tight end either. I don't know why they wouldn't just promote Celek and build in the draft, but oh well.
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I'd call you crazy, but then I'd get banned for name calling,,,
Actually, I was going to ask if anyone thought he was worth the tag money!
No, not a chance in you know what he is worth it.
I can name 5 guys that are better then him off the top of my head: KWII, Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez, Jason Whitten, Dallas Clark.
Don't see how you even debate Smith being better then any one of those players listed above. That's not even taking in to consideration Chris Cooley, Owen Daniels, Todd Heap or Jeremy Shockey.....players who I believe are also better then Smith.
Smith only has 2200+ receiving yards, 194 catches and 15 TD's in 5 seasons (73) games. 30 receiving yards per game is worth 5 mil? 
Just as a reference point, KWII has over 2,000 receiving yards, 176 catches and 8 TD's in 2 full years (34 games). Twice the production per game/year in yards and receptions.
He's (Smith) probably considered a fringe top 10 TE and he is still young (27) but he's not worth top 5 money at his position. Not even close.
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You would think the Eagle fans would be riding Smith hard, for being paid more than twice what he is worth. I'm still scratching my head wondering just what in the heck their front office was thinking when they made this move
I AM ALWAYS RIGHT... except when I am wrong.
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Quote:
Call me crazy, but Smith is not worth that kind of money.
i agree, seems like a reach to me. Smith should be one happy guy.
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Eagles will hold on to him, Draft a TE in the second - third round, or sign one FA and than release the tag and let him walk, he wont be offered anything more than what the Eagles offer so he will resign for what thier offering now.
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http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-suggs211,0,6066115.story?track=rss
Ravens won't let Suggs test market
Newsome says team will franchise LB if they can't reach long-term deal
By Jamison Hensley | Sun reporter
2:53 PM EST, February 11, 2008
The Ravens aren't going to let linebacker Terrell Suggs hit the open market when free agency begins at the end of the month.
"We will be using the franchise tag on Terrell if we don't have a long-term deal in place between now and then," general manager Ozzie Newsome said today.
Despite having a career-low five sacks last season, Suggs would be one of the most sought-after free agents this year.
By using the tag on Suggs, the Ravens will give hÒm a one-year contract worth $8.065 million, the average of the five highest-paid linebackers in the NFL.
If another team makes an offer to Suggs, the Ravens can either match it or receive two first-round picks as compensation (which is unlikely to happen).
The deadline to assign the franchise tag is Feb. 21.
Suggs' agent, Gary Wichard, did not immediately return phone calls.
jamison.hensley@baltsun.com
No surprise really. Never actually thought Suggs would reach the market. For the price tag he would commad in FA I wasn't thrilled with the idea of him coming here, we have needs elsewhere with higher priority, imo.
Statistics are like a bikini; what they show is interesting, but what they hide is vital.
Drive for show (1st round), Putt for dough (rest of draft).
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No suprise, Hayworth is gonna be tagged to, there isnt gonna be alot of D-Lineman out thier to sign. pickings thin.
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Anyone who thinks Haynesworth is going to hit the open market, better think again.
And the next head coach is ......
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The difference between the Suggs/ravens and Haynesworth/titans situations is that Tennessee actually has the money to pay the amount the franchise tag says he should be paid. The ravens have something like 5 mil left plus having to sign their rookies ... Theyre going to need to do some creative cap measures if theyre going to tag him.
There are no sacred cows.
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Quote:
The difference between the Suggs/ravens and Haynesworth/titans situations is that Tennessee actually has the money to pay the amount the franchise tag says he should be paid. The ravens have something like 5 mil left plus having to sign their rookies ... Theyre going to need to do some creative cap measures if theyre going to tag him.
So maybe the Ravens have something else in mind.
Maybe they want to pursue another RFA and use these "picks" as compensation. Say they wanted a QB that would cost them a first round pick to acquire and that team needed DL help.
The "picks" would cancel each other out and both the Ravens and Browns would each be able to negotiate with RFA's without an open market (yes I know Suggs isn't a true RFA but the tag in essence makes him one)......
Hypotheticly.....
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Quote:
Quote:
The difference between the Suggs/ravens and Haynesworth/titans situations is that Tennessee actually has the money to pay the amount the franchise tag says he should be paid. The ravens have something like 5 mil left plus having to sign their rookies ... Theyre going to need to do some creative cap measures if theyre going to tag him.
So maybe the Ravens have something else in mind.
Maybe they want to pursue another RFA and use these "picks" as compensation. Say they wanted a QB that would cost them a first round pick to acquire and that team needed DL help.
The "picks" would cancel each other out and both the Ravens and Browns would each be able to negotiate with RFA's without an open market (yes I know Suggs isn't a true RFA but the tag in essence makes him one)......
Hypotheticly.....
So what are you saying, trade Anderson for Suggs?
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So what are you saying, trade Anderson for Suggs?
I'm saying that "sign & trade" deals sometimes make sense for both teams. Whether it's the Browns and Andersen or another team with an RFA that the Raven's covet, there may be an underlying motive to this move.
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Sounds good to me  
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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Lots of you guys on here predicted this,, so it shouldn't come as a huge suprise I guess.. too bad, he would look pretty good in Brown and Orange...LOL
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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Does anyone think the Browns will make a run at Lance Briggs?
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Does anyone think the Browns will make a run at Lance Briggs?
SHOULD be the #1 Priority come Midnight the 2nd... 
Go Browns!!!
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Aye, they can't tag him so we need to already have a contract in his hand at 12:00:01.
If he doesn't get tagged, Haynesworth should be Priority #1b.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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Briggs is a hellava player.. does anyone think there is a chance in hell we get him?
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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I think we have as a good chance as any. Cap room, a team on the rise. We need him.
With Suggs and Haynesworth unlikely to hit the market, this is the guy we need to target.
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i think we have a shot... I wanted him last year. Hopefully they don't franchise him again
Hunter + Dart = This is the way.
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I think no chance in hell.
I can't believe so many people came out and said this should be priority #1. Briggs? Are you serious? He's such a bad fit for the 3-4 defense. He's purely a product of his position in the Tampa 2.
It'd be a waste of time, effort, and money.
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Quote:
I think no chance in hell.
I can't believe so many people came out and said this should be priority #1. Briggs? Are you serious? He's such a bad fit for the 3-4 defense. He's purely a product of his position in the Tampa 2.
It'd be a waste of time, effort, and money.
Amen. Pursuing Briggs would be dumb. Doesn't fit.
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Quote:
Amen. Pursuing Briggs would be dumb. Doesn't fit.
OK...That's TWO of ya's that made this comment...
WHY???...Explain why Briggs won't "FIT" into this defense...
Is it because he's in a 4-3???...Because he plays with Urlacher???...Is it because he left a $100,000+ car on the side of the road???
U guys tell us why he WON'T fit...I'll tell ya' why he DOES fit...
1) He's one of the top 3 LB's in the NFL at dropping into coverage...
2) He's OUTSTANDING at shedding blocks...
3) He's OUTSTANDING against the run...(See #2)
4) He lays the wood...
5) He's MISSED TWO GAMES IN 5 YEARS...
6) He's on a different planet than Davis...
The ONLY thing that doesn't "FIT" in this defense is a Defensive End that's 6'1" and 260...
But lets get a Suggs and ignore the BIGGEST problem on this D...An INSIDE LB that can actually lay some wood...
Right now we have a bunch of PANSY ASSES at ILB...Mark my words...If we do NOTHING at ILB...Regardless of what we do on the Defensive Front 3...This team will STILL BE RUN ALL OVER...
Go Browns!!!
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I just don't want the guy.... I don't think he iw what we need when it comes to athleticism. I'd rather just keep who we have and add through the draft. Either Quentin Groves of Auburn if he drops to us in the 2nd, or Angelo Craig of "Nati" on Day 2.
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The ONLY thing that doesn't "FIT" in this defense is a Defensive End that's 6'1" and 260...
If we were to sign Suggs, which probably won't happen, but if we were to, he would be signed as an OLB, not a DE.
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I do think we atleast make an offer at Briggs.
With Suggs & Haynesworth both gonna be out of the picture, It wouldnt suprise me to see fill pull something out of his hat, something that has us all standing around going, how in the heck did he do that, Phil is kown for doing those things and I believe he has something in the works right now, nobody....and I mean nobody but him & RAc know about..nobody
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i'm not surprised to see Suggs get tagged. Will be interesting to see the ramifications to the ravens cap.
i think we will be in the running for Briggs. The skins, even with the coaching change, supposedly want him. Remember they were talking a trade for him last year. He is from Arizona, so that might make some sense as well.
Don't be surprised if we do not have a big name signing this year- there is a shortage of good players worth the money that can play the 3-4 in the FA class.
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Forget Suggs, forget Briggs we need Dansby...Carlos Dansby  ....he has everything we need: measurables, athletic ability, big play ability and consistent play Vote Dansby 
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we need Dansby...Carlos Dansby ....he has everything we need: measurables, athletic ability, big play ability and consistent play
Ya know Savage might go this way, knowing teams are gonna go after Briggs and pay big money, he might just say go for it and turn around and target players like Dansby. Like someone said before, we might not have a big name signing, talent is limited and the price or value of Talent V.S. $$$$ is somewhat lopesided this year.
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I'd like Dansby over Briggs but Dansby is a bit injury prone. Have heard that Dansby may get tagged. The Cards are going to have troubles keeping guys like Dansby, Pace, possibly Edge James (possible cut). They owe Larry Fitz a ton of money over the last two years of his deal.
Last edited by DevilDawg; 02/12/08 11:51 AM.
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Quote:
Forget Suggs, forget Briggs
we need Dansby...Carlos Dansby ....he has everything we need: measurables, athletic ability, big play ability and consistent play
Vote Dansby
he aalso will be franchised
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Quote:
Quote:
Forget Suggs, forget Briggs
we need Dansby...Carlos Dansby ....he has everything we need: measurables, athletic ability, big play ability and consistent play
Vote Dansby
he aalso will be franchised
If they tag him too then there really isnt much left for 3-4 front 7....Corey Williams or Marques Douglas for DE maybe
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Quote:
Is it because he's in a 4-3???...Because he plays with Urlacher???...Is it because he left a $100,000+ car on the side of the road???
Right now we have a bunch of PANSY ASSES at ILB...Mark my words...If we do NOTHING at ILB...Regardless of what we do on the Defensive Front 3...This team will STILL BE RUN ALL OVER...
I believe that you are correct in your first statement why he would not fit. First coming from a 4-3 defense and having the 4 D Linemen to eat some of the blocks. How many times over the last few years that the Bears had Outstanding OLB that have departed Chicago and never had the same production they had while there?
As stated above Briggs is an OLB so how will that help our ILB need. Granted I think Davis is way over rated and I really don't see too much coming from DQ, but I would think that we would have a better shot at betting Teddy B from NE. Yes he is in the later part of his career but he can still play at a higher level than Willie McG when he got here. Teddy B knows the Defense, can provide leadership, and fill one of the ILB positions.
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Forget Suggs, forget Briggs
we need Dansby...Carlos Dansby ....he has everything we need: measurables, athletic ability, big play ability and consistent play
Vote Dansby
he aalso will be franchised
If they tag him too then there really isnt much left for 3-4 front 7....Corey Williams or Marques Douglas for DE maybe
Very true, 34 DL is getting thin via FA.
Corey Williams may not make it to FA either. This article ( GB FA article ) talks about the pending FA's for GB, although they think it unlikely, Williams could be franchised, effectively taking him off the market. I hope he makes it, he is my first choice currently, but he could be resigned or franchised long before hitting the market.
Douglas is 31, still not a bad player, but on the declining years of his career, and I would prefer we get younger at DL rather than adding more age. However he does have experience in SF's 34, so that helps.
With Suggs effectively off the market, Dansby most likely getting the tag, that leaves few LB's out there as well.
Some 'small named' possiblities that I like that won't cost nearly as much as Suggs, Dansby, or Briggs are:
Chris Clemoons, DE/OLB from Oakland, 6-3, 240#, speed rusher who in limited time had 8 sacks in 07.
Brad Kassell, ILB from the jets. Didn't start, nor do I think he would here, but solid contributor and knows the 34.
Niko Koutouvides, ILB from Seattle, not from a 34 team, but good size and decent instincts.
I think resigning Chaun Thompson should become a priority, for his depth, special teams play and versatility.
I just don't see that many 'difference makers' (or those 'big names' people like) available this offseason. I don't count LB as one of our biggest needs, one we should address either via draft or FA every year, but not 'break the bank' big this offseason.
Statistics are like a bikini; what they show is interesting, but what they hide is vital.
Drive for show (1st round), Putt for dough (rest of draft).
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U don't think LB is a need?
It's a part of our front 7...Dline is the first need..but even the GM said he wants a monster ILB..because HE KNOWS ANDRA DAVIS is not "IT"...
Something I've known for years..the defense will not be a force up the middle until that is addressed.
We need a LB who is physical , has great instincts and can drop in coverage..which is Davis's BEST attribute...
Outside we need someone on the strongside who is a pass rushing monster and can play the run..
While I think DQ has those instincts he isn't the physical presence that is really needed..
If I'm Phil I'm taking several LB's in the draft..
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In summation, while we hit for home runs left and right last offseason in fixing the Offense, it is looking like we'll be lucky to get a base hit in helping our needs on Defense this year.
Free Agency is looking thinner than Karen Carpenter and Mary-Kate Olsen... and without a 1st round pick, it isn't looking like we're gonna get much immediate help in The Draft, either.
Things aligned perfectly last year, they aren't lining up too well this year.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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