Do we franchise tag Nicks in this off season? (2 Viewers)

[lvsaintsfan57]

Ok so maybe the more important question is, who do we have on our team currently under contract that would be able to willingly re-structure.. So we can fit the deals of Brees, Nicks, Colston all under next years' cap?

Or who can we cut to save cap space?

After seeing what the Eagles did last off-season, I'm not sure we couldn't sign all our players with room to grab a couple LBs, another safety and maybe a receiver.

 

[Richard]

Maybe Pierre Thomas if you guys are happy with Mark Ingram's progression.

Thomas' contract is very club friendly.

I don't see any of this as a real problem. I believe the Saints tie up Brees shortly after the season wraps up, then Loomis will turn his attention to the remaining pieces, including Nicks and Colston. Loomis knows full well what each of the Saints' players brings to the table and most of the players understand that they would be better off staying than leaving. Meachem could be an exception if he feels, as Reggie Bush did, that he would prefer to be more of the focal point of someone's offense. While I love all of the other guys on the team and would like to see all of them re-signed, some will leave in search of more money or playing time and as professionals, they should do what is best for themselves and their families.

 

[thefifthwall]

Think we'll see contracts with a large roster bonus in 2013
Or contracts such as Reggie's that escalate in 2013
Why not give Nix 5 mil with a bonus of 10 mil over 5 years
His salary is 5,10,10,15,15
Wouldn't his cap hit for 2012 be 7 mil
but he pockets 15

 

[NawlinSaints]

Brees is first, but there will come a time very shortly where we can't afford to pay all of our guys top notch $$, some players will have to leave

 

[livefromDC]

Franchise Tagging is out of the equation at that point as the Tag for OGs as someone said is concurrent with the highest paid Olineman, not the highest paid OG. Which would put a FT on Nicks at around 11 Mil. Colston is more than likely gone if you guys resign Nicks. It just isn't feasible that You could sign Nicks and Brees to mega deals with only around 20 Mil in cap space then retain your best WR.

Let me insert some facts into this thread. First, the franchise tag amount isn't calculated the way it has been in the past. Its no longer the average of the top 5 contracts at a position in a given year, but the average of the top contracts at that position over the past 5 years. That lowers the amount Nicks will get when he's franchised. Yes, I said when. Brees is NOT going to test the market. He's not leaving and won't be franchised.

 

[krushing]

Let me insert some facts into this thread. First, the franchise tag amount isn't calculated the way it has been in the past. Its no longer the average of the top 5 contracts at a position in a given year, but the average of the top contracts at that position over the past 5 years. That lowers the amount Nicks will get when he's franchised. Yes, I said when. Brees is NOT going to test the market. He's not leaving and won't be franchised.

What is the date Drew has to sign for to eliminate the need for a temporary tag?

 

[krushing]

What is the date Drew has to sign for to eliminate the need for a temporary tag?

I'll answer my own question. Google is a wonderful thing. It's middle to end of Feb which probably isn't enough time to get Drew's contract done if we go deep in the playoffs. I don't think there is anyway we don't use it to hold Drew. It would be a shame to lose Nicks that way. If you don't tag Drew, his agent can ask any amount and Loomis can only write the check. The saints completely lose all bargaining power

 

[Merl]

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What is the date Drew has to sign for to eliminate the need for a temporary tag?

The period for Clubs to designate Franchise Players will begin on the twenty-second day preceding the first day of the new League Year and will end at 4:00pm New York time on the eighth day preceding the first day of the new League Year.

That is copied from the new CBA.

From what I can tell the League year starts 32 days after the Super Bowl. According to a tweet I found by LaCanfora the 2012 year starts March 13th.

For anyone wondering, 2012 NFL League Year will begin 4pm, March 13. That's when trades/free agency resumes

That means that the first day the Saints could apply the tag is Feb. 20th and the last day is March 5. I fully believe that if a long term deal isn't signed by the 5th then they will apply the tag to Brees and continue to negotiate a long term deal.

 

[Marlboro Man]

I think everyone's getting all worked up over nothing. From some things I've read, the new TV deal for the NFL this year has made a HUGE jump and will result in a significant increase in team revenues. We may very well be able to sign Drew and Nicks and still be ok. Let's all relax and wait to see what happens.