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Woot! Jacobs Tagged!; Franchise tag, that is...
Topic Started: Feb 13 2009, 04:38 PM (76 Views)
BlueHeart
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Giants | Place franchise tag on Jacobs
Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:19:17 -0800

Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, reports the New York Giants have placed the franchise tag on RB Brandon Jacobs. Jacobs will be guaranteed a one-year, $6.621 million contact. The Giants are expected to continue to negotiate a long-term contract with Jacobs, according to a source.
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27Hampton
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He's not going to be very happy with that. But like it says below, it doesn't mean they won't work out a long-term.


February 13, 2009
Giants slap franchise tag on Jacobs
THE BLUE SCREEN/Vacchiano
Friday, Feb. 13

UPDATED: 4:37 p.m.

The Giants locked Brandon Jacobs up for at least the 2009 season by slapping the dreaded “franchise player” tag on him this afternoon.

That decision — only the second time the Giants have ever used the “franchise” tag and the first time since they tagged Jumbo Elliott in 1993 — guarantees Jacobs a salary of $6.621 million next season, which is the average of the top five running back salaries last year.

Giants GM Jerry Reese said “it was the right business thing to do” before the Feb. 19 deadline to designate “franchise” and “transition” players, and he added the Giants remain “hopeful to get a longer term deal hammer out in the near future.”

In other words, using the franchise tag buys them some negotiating time.

However, Jacobs clearly was hoping to avoid the tag. At the Super Bowl in late January, the running back said he “would be angry” if the Giants tagged him, and added “It would probably cause some problems.” He did, however, say, that “it’s nothing that we couldn’t deal with.”

Today, in quotes released through the team, Jacobs indicated that he was “fine” with the decision and he remained “confident” that he would soon get a long-term deal.

“They don’t want to let me go and it just buys more time to get a deal done,” Jacobs said in the release. “A deal is going to be done and I am confident in that fact that a deal is going to be done. They just didn’t want to let me hit the market to see what else is out there. They want me in and it is fine with me, because I would rather be here. It is another reason why I don’t really have a problem with it.

“I think both parties will probably come to an agreement here soon on a long-term deal. A lot of guys would be going off the deep end now, which I understand why guys do it and why nobody wants to be franchised. That only happens when guys don’t want to play the rest of their career with that team and they want to see what else is out there. I am in a situation where I want to be here. I want to play here. That doesn’t really bother me.”

According to two sources who had spoken to someone familiar with the negotiations, the Giants and Jacobs were never really close on a long-term deal. Jacobs, who would’ve been an unrestricted free agent on Feb. 27, was seeking a deal similar to the seven-year, $45 million contract (with $16 million guaranteed) the Dallas Cowboys gave to running back Marion Barber last season. However, the sources said the Giants’ opening offer was closer to $25 million over six years with about $12 million guaranteed.

One source said the Giants’ offer was also laden with incentives related to playing time because they were worried about Jacobs’ injury prone nature. In his two seasons as the Giants’ No. 1 running back, Jacobs has missed eight of 32 regular-season games.

It’s not clear when negotiations on a long-term contract will start again, though it likely won’t be until after the free-agent signing period settles down. While both sides appear confident something will eventually get done, one source close to Jacobs said if the two sides can’t come to an agreement he does eventually plan sign the franchise tender in time to report to training camp.

There’s a bigger problem, though, for Jacobs than not getting the deal he was seeking. If a long-term deal can’t be worked out, there’s a possibility now that Jacobs will have to wait two years before he can be an unrestricted free agent again. If the NFL and the NFL Players Association cannot come to an agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement before next March, then starting in 2010 players won’t be eligible to become unrestricted until after their sixth NFL season.

Jacobs, 26, just completed his fourth NFL season. So, in the event that loophole in the current CBA is triggered, he would only be a restricted free agent after next season. That means the Giants would only be required to tender him at 110 percent of his 2009 salary (or $7,283,100) and they’d be able to match any offer he receives from another team.

Jacobs would then be eligible to be unrestricted after the 2010 season, though by then there would presumably be a new CBA with new rules in place.

So, essentially, by using the tag for the first time in 16 years, the Giants — depending on what happens with the new CBA — may have locked Jacobs up with for two years at $13,904,100. That’s still far less than he was seeking, especially since only his 2009 salary is guaranteed.


It was not immediately clear why the Giants suddenly changed their organizational philosophy about the tags. They haven’t even used the “transition player” tag since 1996 when they slapped that on running back Rodney Hampton. According to several team sources, the organizational feeling had been that those tags do nothing but force them to pay higher salaries than they were planning, while making the player angry because he lost his shot to test the open market.

However, Jacobs and Reese both said they had a good discussion about the decision today, and clearly the Giants felt Jacobs was too valuable to allow him to test free agency. He’s topped 1,000 rushing yards each season — 1,009 in 11games in 2007, and 1,089 in 13 games last year. And at 6-4, 264 pounds, he’s one of the best big backs in the NFL. Considering the drop off in the Giants’ rushing attack when he’s not on the field (which was about 70 yards per game last season), and the fact that Derrick Ward is an unrestricted free agent who is not likely to be re-signed, the Giants felt the reward was worth the risk.

“There isn’t any question that when you talk about being a physical football team, he gives you that physical edge as a runner, a pass protector or catching the ball coming out of the backfield,” Tom Coughlin said. “He’s a valuable, valuable part of our team and of the philosophy and the concept by which we play. It’s important for our team going forward that he’s a Giant.”

Jacobs’ return almost certainly means Ward is gone. According to a report, Ward was planning to meet with Giants officials about his future this week. However, neither Ward nor his agent, Peter Schaffer, were planning to be in New York this week.

Jacobs, though, will apparently be here for quite a while.

“(Being “franchise” tagged) is telling me that they really want me here,” Jacobs said. “That is why I know for a fact that they are going to buy time to get a long term deal done. If they didn’t want me here they would say, ‘Let him hit the market and see what he gets out there and then offer him toward the end of the whole thing.’ They were pretty good about it, we were pretty good about it, and I feel good about the situation that I will be here at least for one more year if nothing gets done. But I am very confident that something is going to be done soon.”
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BlueHeart
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Actually he IS happy.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - The Giants today designated Brandon Jacobs as their franchise player, virtually ensuring that the free agent running back will be with the team in 2009.

The Giants announced on Friday that they have franchised RB Brandon Jacobs

The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement permits each team to designate one of its free agents (restricted or unrestricted) as a franchise player each season. Under the terms of the CBA, that player receives a one-year tender for the average of the five largest salaries at his position the previous season. In 2008, the NFL’s five highest-paid running backs earned an average of $6.6 million.

The designation does not preclude the Giants or any other team from negotiating a multi-year contract when the free agency period begins on February 27th.

Indeed, the Giants hope to reach such an agreement with Jacobs, their two-time 1,000-yard rusher and the catalyst behind their NFL-leading rushing attack. Should another team offer Jacobs a contract, the Giants have a right to match that contract or would receive two first-round draft choices as compensation from that team.

The two–week period for designating franchise players ends Thursday and the Giants did not want it to expire without making it far more difficult for another team to sign Jacobs.

“With the deadline approaching it was the right business thing to do at this point, although we are hopeful to get a longer term deal hammered out in the near future,” general manager Jerry Reese said. “I did speak to Brandon and we had a very good conversation today.”

“I never felt Brandon would be anything but a New York Giant,” Coach Tom Coughlin said. “There isn’t any question that when you talk about being a physical football team, he gives you that physical edge as a runner, a pass protector or catching the ball coming out of the backfield. He’s a valuable, valuable part of our team and of the philosophy and the concept by which we play. It’s important for our team going forward that he’s a Giant.”

Jacobs believes the Giants’ decision to designate him a franchise player will help the two sides come to an agreement on a multi-year contract.

“They don’t want to let me go and it just buys more time to get a deal done,” Jacobs said. “A deal is going to be done and I am confident in that fact that a deal is going to be done. They just didn’t want to let me hit the market to see what else is out there. They want me in and it is fine with me, because I would rather be here. It is another reason why I don’t really have a problem with it. Now if I didn’t want to be here I would be going off the deep end now, but that is not the fact because I want to be here. My family likes it here. This is where I started and this is kind of where I want to finish. It is really just to franchise me to try to get a deal done.


“I think both parties will probably come to an agreement here soon on a long- term deal. A lot of guys would be going off the deep end now, which I understand why guys do it and why nobody wants to be franchised. That only happens when guys don’t want to play the rest of their career with that team and they want to see what else is out there. I am in a situation where I want to be here. I want to play here. That doesn’t really bother me.”

In response to another question about a long-term deal, Jacobs said, “I am confident that something is going to get done. I do know that.”

Jacobs said he felt good after this afternoon’s conversation with Reese.

“I spoke to Jerry, and that is the reason I am being franchised – buying more time to get a deal done,” Jacobs said.

This is just the third time – and the first instance in 13 years – the Giants have designated a franchise player. They used the tag on tackle Jumbo Elliott in 1993 and running back Rodney Hampton in 1996.

“That (being the Giants’ first franchise player in more than a decade) is telling me that they really want me here,” Jacobs said. “That is why I know for a fact that they are going to buy time to get a long term deal done. If they didn’t want me here they would say, ‘Let him hit the market and see what he gets out there and then offer him toward the end of the whole thing.’ They were pretty good about it, we were pretty good about it, and I feel good about the situation that I will be here at least for one more year if nothing gets done, but I am very confident that something is going to be done soon.”

The 6-4, 264-pound Jacobs recently completed his fourth and most productive season with the Giants. He rushed for a career and team-high 1,089 yards – the 11th-highest figure in the NFL - despite missing three games with a knee injury. In 2007, Jacobs ran for 1,009 yards in 11 games. In the recently-concluded season, the Giants led the NFL in rushing yards per game (157.4) and per carry (a franchise-record 5.0).

Jacobs has put together an impressive resume. He is just the fourth running back in Giants history to run for at least 1,000 yards in at least two consecutive seasons. The others were Joe Morris (1985-86), Rodney Hampton (1991-95) and Tiki Barber (2002-2006).

With 2,620 career rushing yards, Jacobs is already 10th on the Giants’ all-time list. He has rushed for at least 100 yards in a game nine times and the Giants won eight of those games.

Jacobs rushed for 15 touchdowns in 2008 and is just the second player in Giants history to run for at least 15 touchdowns in a season. Joe Morris ran for a team-record 21 scores in 1985. Jacobs’ 15 touchdowns tied for third in the NFL with the Jets’ Thomas Jones and Tennessee’s LenDale White.

Jacobs has 35 career rushing touchdowns, which ties him with Ottis Anderson for fifth on the franchise’s career list.

In 2008, Jacobs averaged 5.0 yards a carry, one of just four backs to rush for at least 500 yards and maintain such a high average. Another one of those backs was his teammate, Derrick Ward, who averaged 5.6 yards an attempt while rushing for 1,025 yards. Jacobs and Ward were the fourth pair of running back teammates to run for at least 1,000 yards in the same season.

Even with all that already accomplished, Jacobs believes his best is yet to come.

“No question,” Jacobs said. “I had Derrick last year and we were a team and we did it together. I have Ahmad (Bradshaw) and Danny (Ware) that are going to be back this year, I don’t know what the chances are with Derrick (who is also a free agent), but I just try to make the guys around me better. I am looking forward to a Super Bowl season.”

With Jacobs in the backfield, the Giants’ chances to realize that goal certainly improve.
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BlueHeart
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Nice edit, ya doof. :lol:

What did ya actually read it after you posted it? LMAO
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27Hampton
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Exactly what happened. :rofl:

But then I found some more possibe friction, edited again....and bolded the section. :dance:

Edited by 27Hampton, Feb 13 2009, 04:53 PM.
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G1..
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I like this ,alot!So with this as it is what are the opinions of all of you guys on the chances of keeping Ward?
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BlueHeart
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27Hampton
Feb 13 2009, 04:48 PM
Exactly what happened. :rofl:

I knew it. :lol:
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BlueHeart
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Giantone
Feb 13 2009, 04:54 PM
I like this ,alot!So with this as it is what are the opinions of all of you guys on the chances of keeping Ward?
Still just hoping they find a way.

Personally, I don't think he is going anywhere.
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BlueHeart
Feb 13 2009, 05:21 PM
Giantone
Feb 13 2009, 04:54 PM
I like this ,alot!So with this as it is what are the opinions of all of you guys on the chances of keeping Ward?
Still just hoping they find a way.

Personally, I don't think he is going anywhere.
I would like to keep him but I realize he has a big history of injuries,do you think the other 2, Ware and Bradshaw would make decent fillins or should we just look in the draft?
Edited by G1.., Feb 13 2009, 05:59 PM.
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27Hampton
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This goes against 99% of Giants fans, but I personally don't think Bradshaw is a back who can take 40-50% of the carries. I just don't see him as that type of back. He's a change of pace, 'plug in here and there' type of back. Again, I'm in the VAST minority because most Giant fans think he's Tomlinson in waiting, but I don't. I certainly could be wrong, but that's what I think Bradshaw is ever going to amount to.

That being said, it would come down in my mind to Ware or going out and signing a FA or getting a RB in the mid to late rounds. I really like what Ware brings to the table, but his college career concerns me. I'm not sure of this, but I think he was one of the highest rated players in the country coming out of HS. I am sure of this however - there were huge expectation for this kid and he looked really good his freshman year. Then he just dropped off the face of the earth. He was a kid who never came even close to living up to expectations. I tend to have the thought process that if you don't live up to potential in your college career, well...chances are you're not going to live up to potential at the next level either. With exception of maybe .005% of players, I don't think the light all of a sudden comes on. Again - total speculation, but that's my gut with this kid.

Sooooo....I draft a RB in the 5th or 6th round. lol
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Gene
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Sounds like a win/win situaton on both sides.

Unless someone backs up the Brinks Truck and offers Ward "Gibril Wilson" money I also thinks he resigns with the Giants.
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