The Oakland Raiders didn't surprise anyone by placing the franchise tag on cornerback Charles Woodson, but what happened Friday caught them completely off guard.
Woodson signed his one-year, $10.5 million franchise tender, which creates major cap problems for the Raiders. The Raiders are $15.7 million over the $85.5 million salary cap, not counting the Jerry Porter contract and the future acquisition of wide receiver Randy Moss, who has a $7.25 million salary.
Woodson's agent, Carl Poston, likely made the move because of the Raiders' cap issues and decided to not risk the chance of having the franchise tag pulled before he had a chance to sign it. Poston was in Indianapolis for the scouting combine and walked over to the Raiders hotel with a signed tender offer.
By signing it, the $10.5 million is guaranteed. He submitted copies to the league and the NFL Management Council.
Poston said the Raiders were surprised when they saw the signed contract. There was talk of having the franchise tag revoked or the possibility of having a trade.
The signing of Porter freed the club to designate the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback as its franchise player again.
Raiders coach Norv Turner sounded like a man expecting to see Woodson on his roster in a statement about the cornerback earlier in the week.
"We're pleased to retain the services of Charles Woodson," Turner said.
Those guys are the worst thing to happen to the NFL in years....but if I was a player....I'd love them!
Damn, they are crazy. ...I have to give them props on this move. The Raiders are in serious trouble now. GREAT DRAMA to watch unfold.
I hurt my sides laughing when I found out about this.
The Raiders are screwed now...might have to back out of the Moss trade in a worst case scenario.
"He's a playmaker, that's his label. They used to have strong safeties, but now they got another position: They're called playmakers." -Terence Newman on Roy Williams
Chris Luva Luva wrote:Boy that sucks. They might be on top now, but I bet a lot of teams are going to avoid players who have the Postons as their agents.
You'd think that they already would have been. Those Poston brothers have been nothing but trouble, heartaches, and ulcers for teams. I mean, how many times have we heard their name called in the last 2-3 years? They're agents, for goodness sake!!
This is in no way to be viewed as siding with the agent, but...
How is this the Poston's fault?
If you can't 'afford' the cap space, then why on earth would you tag the guy? Of course the Postons signed it.... the entire league has already conceded that the CB franchise number is ridiculous this year (1st time it has beat out QB for the #1 slot). And the Raiders offer an aging Woodson 120% of what he made last year because he makes MORE than the average 5 already...
And for what? Do you really think anyone would up a first round draft pick and more for him knowing that he was also going to come with a $10M price tag? That'd be a tough sell. The raiders were playing a dubious game when they offered a contract they didn't want signed (which appears to be what they're conceding now).
I hate the Postons... but in this case... they were merely calling a bluff. And as with any bluff, you better be prepared to have someone call you on it.
Sean Taylor was one of a kind, may he rest in peace.
...probably because not too many "Franchise Players" get snapped up. The top picks are too valued. That's got to hurt, though. Top 5 pay...
I wonder if there's a place that keeps track of how many franchise players have actually been picked up by new teams. I definitely know of one...
"Sit back and watch the Redskins.
SOMETHING MAGICAL IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!"
JPFair- A fan's fan. RIP, brother
tcwest10 wrote:...probably because not too many "Franchise Players" get snapped up. The top picks are too valued. That's got to hurt, though. Top 5 pay... I wonder if there's a place that keeps track of how many franchise players have actually been picked up by new teams. I definitely know of one...
Most of the time the player is involed ina sign and trade dor less than the 2 first round picks that the tag would normally garner.
With the year Woodson had the Faiders should have let him test the market
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When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hold on....
