Sources: Teams to tender restricted FAs
By Adam Schefter
ESPN
Archive
NFL teams are prepared to use restricted free-agent tenders, even if they don't know if the tags will be binding in the uncertain labor climate, according to multiple league sources. These tenders could further antagonize players and agents in the ongoing labor dispute.
Future Of The League
In a guest column, NFL rep Greg Aiello outlines the league's problems with the CBA and ways to fix the system as the game moves forward. Story
With the CBA expiring on March 3, NFLPA executive George Atallah breaks down how the players and the union view the crucial talks. Story
• Sando: 10 things to know
• NFL Labor: Topics page
Teams are trying to restrict the ability of some of their key players to sign with another club even if their contract is up. The big question, of course, will be whether these tags will be binding once there is a new collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA expires at the end of the day on March 3 and talks are ongoing between the owners and players' union regarding a new deal.
When told that teams will be using restricted free-agent tenders, one agent said: "The boxing gloves are on."
Once a player receives a restricted free-agent tender, he can wait to see if he receives better offers from other teams before agreeing to a contract with his original team. If another team offers more money, the team has the right to match it or receive draft-pick compensation depending on the level of tender.
For instance, the Carolina Panthers are expected to place restricted free agent tenders on running back DeAngelo Williams and Charles Johnson, even if they don't know whether the tags will be binding.
Under the past collective bargaining agreement, players with less than four seasons in the league were subject to restricted tenders, but last season -- which was an uncapped year after the owners opted out of the CBA -- players with less than six seasons in the league were also subject to receiving tenders, greatly restricting the movement of many players.
Williams has been in the league for five seasons. Johnson has played four NFL seasons.
Several players balked at having their free-agent rights restricted last offseason. Logan Mankins of the New England Patriots and Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeil of the San Diego Chargers even sat out some of the season in protest before reporting. McNeil eventually signed a long-term deal with San Diego. Mankins and Jackson received franchise tags from their teams this offseason.
If these tenders in 2011 are biding, it will again limit where each player can go and what he can earn next season.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6153816
