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I'd like to keep Ward, but this reminds me an awful lot of the Sean Jones argument. When he left, he was never really good.




he was not that good... average in his best year




That's my point, he looked like a stud here because guys constantly got to the second level. So he was always in on tackles.

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I'd like to keep Ward, but this reminds me an awful lot of the Sean Jones argument. When he left, he was never really good.




he was not that good... average in his best year




That's my point, he looked like a stud here because guys constantly got to the second level. So he was always in on tackles.




Personally, I never thought Jones was a stud.


plus, the talent level on this team vs that team... night and day. Ward shines on this team and Jones in his prime would be on the bench... maybe.


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Way to often, some posters have a short memory. They see the last play a player makes, if it's a good play then he's a great player,, if it's a bad play, he stinks.


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because I'm using actual data... everyone else is opinion based and parroting what other people have said on the board.




Yep, that's what I suspect.

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The rest of the league sees him as a top 3-4 safety? Care to prove that? Are you equating media reports w/how other teams rate him?



Not for nothing, but how do you know they don't think of him as a top 3-4 safety? Just wondering?



Nope, don't have a clue because the real NFL talent evaluators haven't said squat. That was my point.

Who knows, perhaps GMs around the league thinks Ward is as good as posters on this board and some media outlets do, but there isn't any proof of that.

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j/c sort of...

So, I'm looking at all of these reports on Ward that superbowldogg is posting and wondering, if Vers and others are right, how could all of these people be so wrong? Something isn't adding up here.




I have never said he stinks. I am saying he is overrated.

I think he is good close to the LOS. I think he can make some nice tackles in the run game where he comes flying up and takes the guys legs out. I think he is a strong guy who can hold up in traffic.

I think his coverage skills are way below par for even a SS. I think that is why our LBers are put in so many vulnerable positions. I think his tackling is suspect in that he never wraps up. He dives too much.

I would keep him if the money was right. However, if he want's top safety dollar, I say "see you later."

We've been done this road so many times over the years. It still astounds me how you guys rip me for these player evaluations and then later, cry when I point out who was right and who was wrong. I don't mind debate. Debate is good. However, it annoys me when people try and act like I am talking out my butt. Like I am making this crap up.

How many times do we have to go through this until you guys at least value my opinion? I am not saying to believe me or to agree w/me. We all see it differently, but to act like I am clueless or biased is beyond old, especially given the history of how these debates have turned out.

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The rest of the league sees him as a top 3-4 safety? Care to prove that? Are you equating media reports w/how other teams rate him?



Not for nothing, but how do you know they don't think of him as a top 3-4 safety? Just wondering?



Nope, don't have a clue because the real NFL talent evaluators haven't said squat. That was my point.

Who knows, perhaps GMs around the league thinks Ward is as good as posters on this board and some media outlets do, but there isn't any proof of that.




So pretty much you don't know anything for sure how good or bad Ward is. It's just your opinion. Ok I get it.

At the end of the season if we don't sign him, we'll see if other teams covet him. If they do, then it's safe to say, you were incorrect. If they don't, I'll be the first in line to pat you on the back.

No, wait, that's not right, how could I possibly beat you the punch


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I think you are misconstruing my words.

You know..........I answer your question honestly and what do I get in return? More insults. Hope that made you feel powerful.

And where did I say that other teams would not peruse him? I said "don't be surprised if we don't sign him if he wants top safety dollars."

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At the end of the season if we don't sign him, we'll see if other teams covet him. If they do, then it's safe to say, you were incorrect. If they don't, I'll be the first in line to pat you on the back.




not really true. I just saw TR traded to a team that really coveted. how did that work out?


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At the end of the season if we don't sign him, we'll see if other teams covet him. If they do, then it's safe to say, you were incorrect. If they don't, I'll be the first in line to pat you on the back.




not really true. I just saw TR traded to a team that really coveted. how did that work out?




You do know that we are talking about what other teams think of a player right? The Colts coveted TRich for what they Hoped he could do. There is no reason to think that someone would covet Ward for what they THINK he can do. They'd covet him for what he's shown he can do. They are merely hoping he can continue.


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You do know that the original poster claimed that that Ward was regarded by the NFL as a top 3-4 safety right and I simply asked him where was the proof of that? Right?

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I do value your opinion, but when I see a stat that says Ward has made X number of tackles out of Y number of attempts and that this ratio ranks him as one of the best in the league, I wonder how overrated he really is. Now, this is just one category. I don't know about his coverage skills, which seems to be your point of contention. I know you don't think he stinks. I'm just trying to figure out why people are overrating him, as you say. I guess the ultimate test of his value will come when he is an FA. I'm intrigued. Will be interesting to see exactly what he gets and what it will say about his SS skills.

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That's cool. Sorry about being snippy. There were a couple of other posts that irritated me.

I do want to clarify that I am not saying I am right and that all those reports and posters are wrong. I am just saying that it bothers me when people act like I am making things up or that it's about some kind of bias.

I also want to add that I don't think Ward stinks. I think he is a decent SS. He does some things very well and he struggles w/others. He'll get paid, but I'm not just sure it will be by us.

I have no proof of that and I'm not even sure about it. It's just a feeling based on some of the things I have noticed about Ward's play. It leads me to think that the Browns might be seeing the same thing. Who knows, perhaps the Browns will make him the highest paid safety in the game. I don't think they will, but that doesn't mean I'm right.

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You do know that the original poster claimed that that Ward was regarded by the NFL as a top 3-4 safety right and I simply asked him where was the proof of that? Right?




and I posted said proof...

it's not my fault you overlook my posts to keep complaining.


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You do know that the original poster claimed that that Ward was regarded by the NFL as a top 3-4 safety right and I simply asked him where was the proof of that? Right?




and I posted said proof...

it's not my fault you overlook my posts to keep complaining.




The proof is in the game yesterday,,, I don't need any more proof than that.


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I will agree w/that.

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anyone complaining about our FS/SS/CB's needs to watch MNF. These DB's are terrible on both sides of the ball.

#26 has given up multiple massive penalties and plays.


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Ward will be retained.He made a big jump this year,and wants to be a part of this team.The FO wants a physical defense,and he fits that mold.

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Cleveland Browns' Joe Thomas on teammate and pending free agent Alex Mack: 'I definitely think he wants to come back'

BEREA, Ohio – Browns left tackle Joe Thomas is a close friend of pending free agent Alex Mack and hopes to see the center re-signed.

Does the Pro Bowl left tackle sense his buddy wants to return to Cleveland?

“Yeah, I think he definitely wants to come back,” Thomas said.

That sentiment is consistent with what Mack has told cleveland.com on several occasions in the past five months. The Browns have until March to sign the Pro-Bowl caliber lineman before he hits the open market.

Mack is represented by agent Marvin Demoff.

Thomas was asked why it’s so important to re-sign Mack, who hasn’t missed a snap since being selected in the first round of the 2009 draft.

“Well, because he’s one of the best centers in the NFL, and if we don’t bring him back, now we have a big hole to fill at center, which is one of the most important positions on the offensive line,” Mack said. “And (on this) offense, the way we run it, (the centers) have a tremendous amount of responsibilities as far as directing the offense and the pass protection and the run blocking, even sometimes a greater role than the quarterback in the way that the offensive line and the tight ends are blocking everything.”

Mack is the NFL’s highest-rated center, according to ProFootballFocus.com.

Injury update: Left guard John Greco (knee), who missed last week’s game, returned to practice Tuesday. If healthy enough, Greco said he wants to play against the Steelers. Nose tackle Phil Taylor, tight end Jordan Cameron and guard Jason Pinkston all sat out practice with concussions. Guard Shawn Lauvao missed practice with a contusion, a team spokesman reported.

Defensive lineman John Hughes (knee) also was idle.

Missing his teammate: Josh Cooper caught four passes for 26 yards against the Jets. He was happy to contribute, but hated having to fill in for teammate and friend Davone Bess.

Bess is done for season dealing with a personal matter. Cooper said he’s enjoyed learning how to play the slot from Bess, who’s struggled with dropped passes this season.

Cooper said he also would have left the team if confronted with a serious family matter. Bess is a very positive person, Cooper said, but teammates knew something was wrong with him last week.

“He was just very quiet, which is not like him,” Cooper said.

Passed over: After allowing just two touchdowns passes in the first five games, the Browns have surrendered 26 over the last 10 games. The 26 TDs in that stretch ties them with Minnesota for the most yielded, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Rare misses: Not since 1999 have both the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens missed the playoffs in the same year. That streak is in jeopardy as each needs help on Sunday – mainly a Miami Dolphins’ loss.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ss...t_river_default

_______________

I tend to put more value and weight into what Joe Thomas says when it comes to Browns' stuff. Before reading this article, I thought there was a good chance Mack may have been leaning to leave Cleveland regardless of what money he was offered.....that he just wanted a fresh start elsewhere, maybe closer to the West Coast where he is from. Now, I'm more hopeful he will stick around is a fair contract is offered. I didn't know PFF ranked him as the best Center...that's awesome. Hopefully we can keep him as well as some other valuable pieces this offseason.

One common theme that keeps rising to the top is how these players want to stick around in Cleveland to change the culture and program, not just to win but to do it for the Cleveland community. Maybe it's just lip service but Ward mentions this in an article just above this one, Haden has said it, same with Little in a MKC piece yesterday, so has Gordon, and a reason behind Joe Thomas signing his extension a couple years back. I guess that is somewhat of a consolation prize while this team is losing......the players want to stay here and make sure they can turn it around. Again, it may just be lip service in an effort to get that next contract or maybe, just maybe, it's true?


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I hope we keep Mack. I too, was under the impression that he might not want to be here. Glad to hear that he wants from Joe T.

I think it would be a huge mistake by this FO to not do everything they can to keep Mack. I would make him the highest paid center in the league if I had to.

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I hope we keep Mack. I too, was under the impression that he might not want to be here. Glad to hear that he wants from Joe T.

I think it would be a huge mistake by this FO to not do everything they can to keep Mack. I would make him the highest paid center in the league if I had to.




no problems with this at all. Thomas and mack? honestly, is there any better combo in the league?

the problem has never been them. the problem is those wack guards and now the RT. as much as they invested the last off-season in the defense, they need the same focus on the offense this year.

imo, the defense needs minimum tweaking, and maybe one or two as far as starters, but the offense? man.

i wonder if there are any guards hitting the FA market this year that are highly rated, or even above average. i think that would be a huge upgrade and help a ton for whoever starts at QB for us next year.


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Defense needs tweaking?

"Passed over: After allowing just two touchdowns passes in the first five games, the Browns have surrendered 26 over the last 10 games. The 26 TDs in that stretch ties them with Minnesota for the most yielded, according to the Elias Sports Bureau."

That's damned near 3 a game.A team isn't going to win a lot giving up those kinda numbers.


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I don't know about giving top Center money but see him hovering around top five for any contract he gets, whether here or elsewhere.

Nick Mangold has a cap hit of $7.2M in 2014 (a decrease from $9M this year but goes to $10.4M in 2015)
Scott Wells has a cap hit of $6.5M
Ryan Kalil has a cap hit of $10.4M
Max Unger has a cap hit of $5.6M
Chris Meyers has a cap hit of $7M

These are the top paid Center in the NFL. Alex Mack and fellow upcoming FA Center (from the same draft) Eric Wood are just after that based on their rookie deals. I don't know where Mack fits into this equation for the future but Kalil's contract seems like an outlier. Anything from $5M increasing annually for Mack I think would be a fair deal....and a substantial guaranteed $$ of course which I guess is all that matters.


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Defense needs tweaking?

"Passed over: After allowing just two touchdowns passes in the first five games, the Browns have surrendered 26 over the last 10 games. The 26 TDs in that stretch ties them with Minnesota for the most yielded, according to the Elias Sports Bureau."

That's damned near 3 a game.A team isn't going to win a lot giving up those kinda numbers.




nobody likes the bottom line stats more than i do, but the thing is, you HAVE to put that into context.

look at the 2nd bengals game, now imagine that scenario every game. thats what the O has done to our defense more often than not.

yes, they have given up a ton of TD's, but i think all in our, with a few different players with quality depth, the defense should be fine.

maybe we should worry about scoring points, having a competent run game, and good QB play this off season.


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One of the worse 3rd D's,one of the worse red zone D's.
That has absolutely nothing to do with ineptitude on O.
That is simply,flat out,. poor performance.


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From what I understand about the salary cap is that it will be around 126 mil next year. NFL teams are required to spend at least 90% of the cap every year IIRC. 90% of 126 is 113 and some change. The Browns will have a cap of 46 mil going into 2014 (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24379050/agents-take-raiders-atop-list-of-10-teams-with-best-2014-salary-cap-situation) so our 2014 cap space would be ~80 mil. So we'll need to spend 33 mil during the off season to be within the cap regulations, if I'm reading this correctly/doing the math correctly (which I believe I am). I think that gives us plenty of money to re-sign both Mack and JT while also getting Ben Tate.

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One of the worse 3rd D's,one of the worse red zone D's.
That has absolutely nothing to do with ineptitude on O.
That is simply,flat out,. poor performance.




Yep.

I am sick and tired of hearing about the defensive failures being everyone's fault except for the defense.

If the defense gets off the field as effectively as their opposite number does, then they won't be on the field "too long".


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I think that gives us plenty of money to re-sign both Mack and JT while also getting Ben Tate.




I do think that we will try to re-sign Mack. I do not think that we will sign Ben Tate. I just don't see us throwing tons of money at a position they think that they can fill elsewhere.


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I think they've got Carlos Hyde targeted... Like red circled a couple of times.

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I think they've got Carlos Hyde targeted... Like red circled a couple of times.




Out of curiosity, what makes you think that? I like Hyde a bunch, just not sure where he fits in terms of the NFL draft. Of course, we need a RB upgrade.


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I think that gives us plenty of money to re-sign both Mack and JT while also getting Ben Tate.




I do think that we will try to re-sign Mack. I do not think that we will sign Ben Tate. I just don't see us throwing tons of money at a position they think that they can fill elsewhere.




We'd be better off trying to get another CB. There will be a solid pool of guys that can definetly be a #2 guy.

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I think that gives us plenty of money to re-sign both Mack and JT while also getting Ben Tate.




I do think that we will try to re-sign Mack. I do not think that we will sign Ben Tate. I just don't see us throwing tons of money at a position they think that they can fill elsewhere.




From every report I've seen since September says we're aiming towards him. Either way we have more than enough money to sign each of them to 10 mil per year contracts (I'M NOT SAYING WE SHOULD), so there's no reason to believe that we need to pick or choose between two players as we're in a financial position where we won't need to.

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Reports said that we were in negotiations with Kelly's agent and close to signing him this past off-season too.

Can't always believe the reports .......


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T.J. Ward hoping Steelers game isn't his last with the Cleveland Browns: 'You can't block that out'

By Mary Kay Cabot, Northeast Ohio Media Group
December 24, 2013 at 6:24 PM

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns safety T.J. Ward will have more on his mind Sunday in Pittsburgh than just knocking the resurgent Steelers out of playoff contention.

He knows it could be his last game as a Brown, and he's hoping that's not the case.

"You can't block that out,'' Ward said Tuesday. "I spent four years here and I've given a lot to this team and this city and they've given a lot to me, so you can't completely block it out, but I try to stay focused on the task and one week at a time and finish it off right.''

In the midst of a Pro Bowl-caliber season, Ward stressed that he wants to finish what he started when he was drafted in the second round of 2010 out of Oregon.

“I definitely want to be back,'' he said. "I like my team. I love my teammates. I love being in this city. I love the organization. We haven’t had many wins, but I think we’re building something here, and I think it’s being built the right way. When you start something, I’m a person that wants to finish things and I want to finish things on a winning note. I want to play in the playoffs here, I want to bring this city a championship. I’ve been doing everything in my power to help this team win so I definitely want to see that through.”

Ward knows the Browns have the option of franchising him if they don't wrap him up a to a long-term contract before free agency hits March 11. The projected one-year salary for a franchise safety in 2014 is about $8 million, according to Joel Corry of cbssports.com. Ward's rookie contract was a four-year deal worth $4.027 million, including $3 million guaranteed.

“If I get the tag, I get the tag,'' he said. "That would just be one more year here. It is a sort of free agency, but you’re still with the team. So it’s like a one-year contract, and I’ve just got to continue to do the things that I’ve been doing. That’s all it is, basically just another year.”

Ward said he's not sure if he'd prefer to hit the market to see what he could get or sign with the Browns beforehand, but the idea of testing the waters is intriguing.

"It's an opportunity I haven't had, but who knows?'' he said. "I just want to win this last game. That’s it. Just want to beat Pittsburgh this week and after the season, all that offseason stuff will handle itself and my agent will handle that but I have no control over that right now.”

One reason Ward wants to stay is to bring the city a championship along with his close friend and 2010 draft classmate Joe Haden, who's hopeful he'll receive an extension before his deal expires in 2014. The two have gone 18-45 with no playoffs since they were drafted.

“"We were brought in here to do a job and a task and to help this team improve and once we start something we want to finish it,'' he said. "We haven’t done pretty well the last four seasons but like I said, we have signs of improvement, signs of a championship quality team and I think there’s a lot of pieces in place here and it’ll be great to finish it off together especially me and Joe coming in together.”

Ward is in the midst of arguably his finest year as a pro, with a team-highs in solo tackles (94) and tackles for a loss (15). He also has two touchdowns -- a 44-yard interception for a touchdown against the Bills and a 51-yard fumble recovery for a TD against the Bears.

"I think I had a Pro Bowl season,'' he said. "I know I had a Pro Bowl season, but like I said it’s up to the fans and the other players. (If) you get the other players' and coaches' respect then that helps. I’ve put a lot of work in since Day One and it is satisfying when your hard work pays off. We haven’t had the team wins and victories, but those will come. Those will definitely come if everyone starts doing those types of things and finishing things off, you’ll start seeing a lot more wins.”

So why would Ward want to come back to a place that's lost at least 11 games in his four seasons?

"If you look at our season, we've had some ups and downs, but for the most part we were very competitive,'' said Ward. "We lost some games by a little bit and I think just the sleight of hand would turn all of those losses into wins, so you look at the Kansas City Chiefs who went 2-14 and they were undefeated for most of the season, so anything can happen. Anything can change with the snap of a finger. I think the hard work we've out in, it's going to show results.''

Will he be around to enjoy them?

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i hope he stays.

people act like some of these players are so easily replaced. Ward has done a fine job. some posters seem like they are on a witch hunt, but you have a SS leading the team in solo tackles and tackles for a loss.

sorry, but thats suppose to be our LB's stat line, not a safety. i hope the FO resigns him and haden to long term deals. those are 2 positions on D we won't have to worry about.

we have way more issues on offense that needs to be fixed, and honestly, another year with the 3-4 plus having bryant back next year, will probably see a true top 5-10 defense.


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T.J. Ward, Alex Mack want to stay with Browns in 2014

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000...-browns-in-2014

Strong safety T.J. Ward leads the Cleveland Browns in tackles and tackles for losses this season. As we discussed on Tuesday's "Around The League Podcast" Pro Bowl selection preview, Seattle Seahawks Defensive Player of the Year candidate Earl Thomas is the only safety playing at a higher level this season.


Retaining Ward and fellow impending free agent, center Alex Mack, will be high on the Browns' list of offseason priorities.

Fortunately, neither player is anxious to test the open market.

"I definitely want to be back," Ward said Tuesday, via The Plain Dealer. "I like my team. I love my teammates. I love being in this city. I love the organization. We haven't had many wins, but I think we're building something here, and I think it's being built the right way. ... I want to play in the playoffs here, I want to bring this city a championship."

Mack has told The Plain Dealer several times over the past five months that he wants to re-sign with the Browns.

"Yeah, I think he definitely wants to come back," said left tackle Joe Thomas, who referred to Mack as "one of the best centers in the NFL."


Both Ward and Mack are candidates for the franchise tag in the coming offseason.

While some franchise players bristle at the notion of the tag, Ward is fine with the projected one-year salary of roughly $8 million.

"If I get the tag, I get the tag," Ward said. "That would just be one more year here."

Ward and Mack are two of the six most valuable players on general manager Michael Lombardi's roster. It's a tangible sign of progress that neither is looking forward to fleeing a venue formerly known as the Factory of Sadness.

The latest "Around The League Podcast" delivered a Christmas gift, analyzing the chaotic playoff picture in both conferences.


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I will say that I see almost no way we tag Mack. He would get an average of the top 5 (or 10, I can't remember the rules specifically for the franchise tag) salaries of all offensive linemen, including LTs, but just Centers. The OL tag would be very expensive, and more than most teams would pay for a Center. (over $11 million)

Here are the tag numbers, and a list of payers considered likely to be tagged ...... though I don't see us using the tag on Mack. We might tag Ward if we can't re-sign him ...... who knows?


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Quote:

I will say that I see almost no way we tag Mack. He would get an average of the top 5 (or 10, I can't remember the rules specifically for the franchise tag) salaries of all offensive linemen, including LTs, but just Centers. The OL tag would be very expensive, and more than most teams would pay for a Center. (over $11 million)

Here are the tag numbers, and a list of payers considered likely to be tagged ...... though I don't see us using the tag on Mack. We might tag Ward if we can't re-sign him ...... who knows?




the thing is, theres zero reason not to sign both of them long term. we won't know if those guys are asking for top paydays, but they don't strike me as that.

there's not wrong with paying mack top center money, and ward top 10 safety money. we have more than enough cash. same thing with haden. we have all this money to sign core guys at their positions, it would be a waste of money to Tag them.


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As with anything, just follow the money. Good or bad, right or wrong, any player is going to follow the money.

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Franchise tag is for guards and centers, not tackles. With money not being an issue, I don't see why we wouldn't franchise either.

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