Franchise Tag

Zombo

Browns are placing the transition tag on center Alex Mack, which will give Cleveland chance to match any offer sheet he would sign.

Zombo

Joe Buscaglia ‏@JoeBuscaglia 28m

According to league sources, the #Bills will not be using the franchise tag on Jairus Byrd today.

Zombo

I'm getting the feeling we are letting T.J. go to go after Byrd.

Zombo

Mark O

Browns are placing the transition tag on Alex Mack. Browns can match any offer that he signs.

Zombo

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet 1m

More fallout from #Browns C Alex Mack getting the transition tag? TJ Ward hits the market, as expected. And Jairus Byrd enters CLE’s view

MLD Woody

I have never heard of the Transition Tag before. I looked it up... weird.

Zombo

Tom Reed ‏@treed1919 3m

The #Browns decision means TJ Ward will become a free agent unless sides agree to a deal before March 11.

Buffalo Bills ‏@buffalobills 4m

BREAKING: GM Doug Whaley has announced that the #Bills will not use the franchise tag in 2014 http://ow.ly/uccTk

bbedward

Didn't expect them to use it on Mack, hopefully we can work it out with Ward tho.

The Gipper

3:55 and no official announcement made yet, is there?

Zombo

@the-gipper said:
3:55 and no official announcement made yet, is there?

Cleveland Browns ‏@Browns 4m

BREAKING: The Browns have designated C Alex Mack as their transition player.

Flyin J

The transition tag will pay Mack 10.5 mill but he can explore free agency. We get the right to match any offer he receives, but if we dont match, we get no compensation picks. If the franchise tag split up the OLine positions it would have been 7.5 mill.

VaporTrail

This is a great move by Farmer. Potentially saves us 1m. I'm doubtful anyone else will offer more, but even if they do, we can match it.

Osiris

I'm troubled by this move mostly in that it makes me question whether they'll be able to extend Haden's contract now that Ward is likely gone.

Comeonman

@osiris said:
I'm troubled by this move mostly in that it makes me question whether they'll be able to extend Haden's contract now that Ward is likely gone.

I agree. I don't like the thought of losing Ward even if by some chance we got Byrd. How much of an upgrade would be over Ward when you consider what you are risking?

ralemon

bye bye tj ward

damn

Bob806

@comeonman said:
I agree. I don't like the thought of losing Ward even if by some chance we got Byrd. How much of an upgrade would be over Ward when you consider what you are risking?

Ward is basically a small LB. He rarely made any plays in pass coverage, but is very good against the run.

These are tough decisions, but I'm guessing they felt a loss of Alex mack would be harder to replace than TJ.

bbedward

@comeonman said:
I agree. I don't like the thought of losing Ward even if by some chance we got Byrd. How much of an upgrade would be over Ward when you consider what you are risking?

I think Byrd's a slight upgrade. Would like to keep Ward though. One of our own young guys.

Westside Steve

You might remember that it was yours truly that suggested keeping Mack, who now has the transition tag, if we were forced to pick one or the other. I think hey Pro Bowl center will be more of a stabilizing force on that offensive line trying to keep a new system together and protect either Brian Hoyer who has limited experience or a rookie who has none.

WSS

hoorta

No reason we can't resign Ward- my guess would be the FO told TJ- find out what you're worth- and if we think it's not out of line, we will resign you- and probably for a little more.

bbedward

@hoorta said:
No reason we can't resign Ward- my guess would be the FO told TJ- find out what you're worth- and if we think it's not out of line, we will resign you- and probably for a little more.

Yea not tagging him doesn't automatically mean he's gone. We'll probably offer pretty much what anyone else would. So if he wants to stay it'd be his choice.

Now if we get Byrd and ward I'll be happy. But that's just getting greedy I think. Byrd seems to be looking for a ridiculous payday too.