New pact gives Birds to Sept. 20 to extend Vick

ATLANTA, Ga. - Among the details of the labor plan NFL owners approved Thursday night is this key date for the Eagles: Sept. 20.

That's the final day to sign a designated franchise player to a multiyear contract or extension. If the Eagles want to make a longer deal with Michael Vick, they've got to do it by then, immediately after Week 2 of the regular season.

Vick is locked in for the 2011-12 season, having signed his franchise tender before the lockout began. But surely he'll want the security of an extended deal.

If the Eagles do not sign Vick by Sept. 20, he will become a free agent after the season.

First, however, the Eagles will have to focus on this season's crop of free agents, with a frenzy of activity beginning when the players and owners finally agree on a deal - whenever that is.

But soon after they finish their shopping, expect attention to turn to Vick.

As for kicker David Akers, he will be an unrestricted free agent when NFL business resumes. That's another reason to expect to see the longtime Eagles kicker elsewhere this season.

Under the labor contract owners voted on, a team can use either the franchise tag or the transition tag on free agents but not forboth. With Vick already franchised and signed, the transition tag the team applied to Akers in February is gone.

Teams were only able to use one of the tags up until 2010, when the uncapped year provided a quirk in the rules, so the news is not a surprise.

"Ultimately, that's what we anticipated," said Akers' agent, Jerrold Colton.

The Eagles used both tags in February in the event that the rules changed in the new CBA, but Akers had refused to sign the tender.

Colton said he has not spoken with the Eagles since the lockout began but that the team's plans to part ways with Akers seemed certain when they drafted kicker Alex Henery in the fourth round of April's draft.

"We see that as writing on the wall, but we're certainly open to discussion," Colton said, reiterating that Akers would like to finish his career in Philadelphia.

That seems unlikely now.

"We expect there will be interest" from other teams, Colton said.

Watkins ready. Like almost all rookies, Danny Watkins has a lot of missed time to make up.

But not many rookies are penciled in as the starting right tackle, as Watkins is for the Eagles.

So the Birds' No. 1 draft pick said he had every intention of getting into camp as soon as possible, and that means agreeing to a contract without the fuss.

"I'm already so far behind the eight ball, the last thing I want to be doing is not being there and not getting ready to roll," Watkins said Thursday after a workout at PowerTrain Sports in Cherry Hill.

The Eagles' last two top picks - wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and defensive end Brandon Graham - missed part of training camp due to holdouts. But with the new rookie salary structure there shouldn't be as much haggling between team and agent.

Watkins is represented by former Eagles guard Joe Panos.

Contact staff writer Jonathan Tamari at 215-854-5214, jtamari@phillynews.com or @JonathanTamari on Twitter.