Eagles tag DeSean Jackson
The Eagles announced today that they have franchised wide receiver DeSean Jackson.
Eagles tag DeSean Jackson
Les Bowen
Looks like we spoke too soon with our earlier post about the Eagles and the franchise tag.
The team announced today that it has franchised wide receiver DeSean Jackson. He would have become a free agent on March 13, but the expectation was that it was never going to get to that point.
“We want DeSean to be an Eagle for the long haul and this is a step in the right direction to accomplish that,” said Eagles general manager Howie Roseman in a statement. “DeSean is a talented player and a proven playmaker in this league and we look forward to him continuing his career in Philadelphia. It’s our understanding that he has the same desire. We will continue our efforts on getting a long-term deal done with him.”
While that might be what each side desires, clearly the path to get there is difficult. What the Eagles perceive as Jackson's value and what he and agent Drew Rosenhaus perceive is far different. Teams have until July 15 to sign a player who has been tagged.
If Jackson signs the franchise tag, he would be guaranteed $9.4 million for next season on a 1-year deal. When the 2011 season ended, Jackson said this wouldn't be a problem, but his comment in the postgame locker room was hardly signed and notarized. He declined to comment at the NFL awards show during Super Bowl weekend.
The Eagles could still trade Jackson but a team would have to agree to what the Eagles would want in compensation and then agree with Jackson on a long-term deal. That seems a very unlikely scenario.
Before the tag was applied, Rosenhaus told SiriusXM, “As an agent, you really hope that your players aren’t franchised. You would like a guy who has played out his contract to have an opportunity to go and talk to other teams. A lot of guys go into free agency and sign with their teams."
"If a player is franchised, it certainly doesn't mean that you have to play for that franchise tag for that year," he said later. "You obviously have the opportunity to get a deal done afterwards, before camp starts, you have time to work out a long-term contract.
"If my clients get franchised, believe me we're going to roll up our sleeves and hope that we can convert that into a multi-year deal."
FROM EARLIER
The franchise tag has been available for use by NFL teams since Feb. 20. Nobody has been tagged. How come?
It's a question of particular concern here in Philadelphia, where the Eagles are widely expected to tag wideout DeSean Jackson by the deadline, this coming Monday at 4 p.m.
Nobody I've talked to has a single, all-encompassing explanation for the lack of activity. There could be several factors. Some teams (not the Eagles, though) might have more than one player they might want to franchise, or threaten to franchise, to get a contract done this week. You can only use the tag once, and unlike under the previous CBA, you can't use the franchise and transition tag in the same year.
Even if they just have one potential target, some teams (and again, I don't think this is the Eagles) might be trying to work out a long-term deal with the guy they could end up franchising, and are keeping the tag in their pocket as a last resort.
But mostly, the problem seems to be, stuff happens around deadlines, and the deadline is Monday. Why show your hand before then? There might be some tiny strategic edge to be gained by not franchising until the last minute, not letting other teams know that Player X is or is not going to be a free agent come Wednesday, March 13.
The one thing we do know is that according to ESPN.com, the Steelers will not franchise wideout Mike Wallace. That was a relatively easy decision because Wallace is only going to be a restricted free agent. Pittsburgh apparently plans to tender Wallace, meaning they can match an offer from another team, or get a first-round draft pick in compensation.
Should the Eagles let DeSean walk into unrestricted free agency for nothing and then try to spend their first-round pick, 15th overall, on Wallace? Absolutely not. The difference between Wallace and Jackson is negligible. The 15th overall pick in the draft is a solid asset. That would be a real Redskins kinda move, the sort that doesn't make you much better right now and slowly suffocates you down the road, as you keep having to look to free agency to fill holes that should have been filled by picks you traded away. Not to mention the squandering of an asset like Jackson. As I've said before, if a two-time Pro Bowl wideout walks out of here for nothing at age 25, somebody should be fired.
The Eagles have put it out there that they would like to trade DeSean, but tag-and-trade is a tough maneuver, rarely executed. They know that. In fact, I guess all I'm really sure of is that the Eagles WANT DeSean and agent Drew Rosenhaus to THINK they'd like to tag and trade him, maybe to a less appealing situation, as a way of applying leverage toward a longer-term deal.
Unless the Birds really do plan to let their rights lapse -- which, again, would be complete malfeasance -- Monday won't be the end of the saga. We'll have the drama over whether they'll actually be able to trade him, whether he'll actually sign the franchise tender and be happy with it, and so on, and on, and on.
Les, why not Riley Cooper as a starting receiver? When Maclin was out with injury last season for three games Cooper stepped in and averaged 80 yards a game which is a higher YPG number than Jackson or Maclin. He looks like a talented, young player to me but the fans and media are down on him for some reason. Is it because the three games he started were with Vince Young and the stigma of VY carries over to him? I dunno, it's strange.— soulman386- I'll take this one, Les.
Why not Riley Cooper? Uh, because he's not very good.
The fans and media are down him? What about the coaches? Are they "up" on him? Last I checked, they made the decisions.
Let me offer you just a bit of advice. Try reading what you type before you push the "submit" button.
Wooooolf out! - Since Kuechly and Poe will not be available at pick 15, it makes no sense to draft a WR at that spot. Steelers won't franchise Wallace, so it make zero sense for the Eagles to do the same with Jackson. With that said, it makes total sense for the Eagles to sign Wallace and sacrifice the first round pick. I would absolutely give him a deal similar to Santonio Holmes, maybe 5/50 mil. At 25, they can have him in the prime of his career while fulfilling a vital need on on offense.— beegal99
- Nothing you said makes the least bit of sense.
Your plan is to let Jackson walk, getting nothing in return. Then turn around and waste a first round pick and huge contract on a guy with the same skill set? Pittsburgh won't franchise Wallace becuase he's resctricted and they'll get a pick if he walks. Jackson would be unrestricted.— JettMartinez - Why franchise Jackson when given his recent history, will play only to protect himself for his next contract? And if you franchise Jackson, who is going to trade for him? If no one trades for him, you're stuck with a guy you don't necessarily want. Most mocks have the Eagles not taking a WR at 15. Why take a college player, 3 years younger, instead of a proven guy coming into his prime? And BTW, Mike Wallace is a better receiver than Jackson, so you are upgrading the position. Let's not forget the importance of having a vertical threat on offense. — beegal99
- They have till Monday Les...Relax....
focucing on teams interested in him and other players is what they are doing...talking to Drew the Mouth Rosenberry..and in general playing it close to the vest in the typical Andy Reid ( I am not talking cause I am samarter than you and I want to keep everything a secret ) approach...— nuggett - By the way March 13th is on a Tuesday.
- Reasons D-Jack hasn't been franchised yet...
1) His production has gone down every year he's been in the leagues
2) He routinely gator-arms throws
3) He's one more concussion away from being a plant
4) He's got questionable character and isn't portrayed to be a great lockerroom guy
5) He's no longer valuable at returning punts
6) Instead of seeking extra yards he dives to the ground before someone can hit him
7) He's not worth nearly the average of the top five receivers in the game in a year in which several top WRs could be available.— guyguy4 - Maybe you'd gator armif you were w hit away from being a plant - he's little - over the middle and redzone aren't his forte - they weren't Barry Sander's, but like him team's have to game plan for him - he makes everything easier for Vick, Shady, Celek and Maclin. He needn't run back punts to be valuable - most players give it up at this time in their careers. as for character, until his justifiable diatisfaction this past year he wasn't an issue. He labered at $450000/yr - a fraction of his worth, tolerantly, all these years. — robinlupe
- why is it such a bad idea to let Jackson walk? the guy wants too much money. my bet is they do franchise him but that almost definitely means Asante is gone if they plan on signing anybody else.— thefadd
- I don't think it's the money as much as his worth on the open market and the long term commitment to a guy who's built like a 12 year old girl. Someone needs to assess what other teams would be willing to pay him on the open market. If they feel he can command top 10 money, it's wise to franchise him as long as they see no other way to improve the position. I don't think he'll get big money, nor do I think they would get much for him in trade if they did franchise him. So why should the Eagles assume all the risk when the reward is minimal? I am completely with you. — beegal99
- Its a bad idea to let him simply walk away when they can at least trade him and get a draft pick back. Why would you give up something for nothing? And Asante is probably gone regardless. The two really have nothing to do with each other. — PDizzle02
- PD02, You are losing something if you tag him. If you cannot get the right deal for him, you are stuck with paying him $9.5 MM guaranteed money for a WR with issues and the money comes right off the year's salary cap. Trading DJ is tough because of his 2011 issues and that new team would want to renegotiate his an extension. Who out there wants to deal with Rosenhaus? If you franchise him and can't trade him, he's a very expensive risk. — hairball
- you still need a QB to throw the ball! a 6ft clown for a qb does not work. a WR with a strong arm also does not work! MV7 yeahh,, he's ours everyone!— With all this talent who needs a real defensive coordinator 2011
- Why is it always the Eagles fault for not resigning DJax? If he is not willing to take a fair (top 15 WR) deal and will only sign if he can get top 5 money (not worth it based on great points made by guyguy4 above)then the Eagles are for blame for letting it happen?
One of these writers ought to step up and get the great (next question) agent to explain what DJ is requiring for a deal to be done and put the same pressure on that side of the coin as they do knocking the Eagles.— dennismithusa
