TheImmortalGoud
New member
Rotoworld
Bengals assigned the franchise tag to RE Michael Johnson.
He's the third player to be tagged on Friday, and likely not the last. Johnson will bring home $11.2 million under the tag after notching 11.5 sacks in the final year of his rookie contract. The sides have until mid-July to work out a long-term pact, but the Bengals figure to devote most of their time before free agency toward getting free agent RT Andre Smith signed to a multi-year deal.
Lions re-signed OT Corey Hilliard to a two-year contract.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Hilliard will get a shot at right tackle duties, but he appeared in zero games last season after playing just 151 snaps in 2011. A six-year veteran, Hilliard has made only five career starts. Riley Reiff and Jason Fox are both better bets to get the nod at right tackle.
Cardinals released ILB Stewart Bradley.
Signed to a five-year, $25 million deal after the lockout, Bradley was a mega-bust for the Cardinals, starting just one game in two seasons. He was relegated to special teams in 2012, and finishes his Cardinals tenure with only 42 tackles in 32 games. The move clears $3.5 million in cap space, but leaves behind $3 million in dead money. Going on 30, Bradley isn't going to get any guaranteed money on the open market. Finding someone to start opposite ILB Daryl Washington is a priority for Arizona.
Cardinals released CB William Gay.
He had one year remaining on a two-year deal. Gay started 15 games last season, but was a major liability in coverage. He's still only 28 years old, but the Cardinals apparently weren't banking on a return to form. Arizona has created $5.25 million in cap space by releasing Gay and LB Stewart Bradley.
Panthers released NT Ron Edwards.
The move clears roughly $1.67 million in cap space. It could be seen coming from a mile away for a player who signed a three-year, $8.25 million deal after the lockout. Edwards missed all of 2011 with a torn triceps, and was limited to 11 games last season by a dislocated elbow. Going on 34, Edwards wasn't productive when he took the field. He'll have a rough go of it in free agency.
Colts assigned the franchise tag to P Pat McAfee.
Get excited. The franchise tag for punters/kickers checks in at $2.97 million. Coach Chuck Pagano called locking McAfee up a "major priority" on Thursday. The four-year veteran was fifth in gross punting average last season.
Bills assigned the franchise tag to FS Jairus Byrd.
Team president Russ Brandon stated the Bills would only use the tag as a last resort, so the sides must be far apart in long-term talks. The tag will guarantee Byrd $6.9 million for 2013 once he signs on the dotted line. The sides have until mid-July to hammer out a multi-year pact. One of the league's preeminent ballhawks, keeping Byrd was a no-brainer for the Bills.
Broncos officially assigned the franchise tag to LT Ryan Clady.
Executive VP John Elway announced the team was going to tag Clady two weeks ago, so this comes as no surprise. The Broncos and Clady haven't even discussed a long-term deal since the season, and that's mainly due to the fact that Clady needs shoulder surgery and will be sidelined five-to-six months. Denver wants to see how he comes back from that before committing major dollars. Clady is said to be seeking a contract similar to what Joe Thomas signed -- eight years and $92 million with $44 million guaranteed.
The NFL has set the 2013 salary cap at $123.9 million, up from $120.6 million in 2012.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport initially reported the cap would be $123 million flat, but ESPN's Chris Mortensen says after accounting for league revenues, it gets a $900,000 bump. It's not a major spike, but it gives teams a little more breathing room than we were expecting. It could be the difference in keeping a veteran or signing a free agent.