While several NFL teams have been slapping the franchise tag on their players, the Green Bay Packers won’t be using theirs.
There was speculation the Packers might use the tag on defensive end [intlink id=”163″ type=”category”]Cullen Jenkins[/intlink] or kicker [intlink id=”152″ type=”category”]Mason Crosby[/intlink], both pending free agents, but [intlink id=”20″ type=”category”]Ted Thompson[/intlink] obviously thought the cost was too great.
It would have cost the Packers a one-year deal at around $12 million to franchise Jenkins and would have cost around $3 million to franchise Crosby. The numbers are based on the average salary of the top 10 paid players at their positions.
Although Jenkins is a solid pass rusher and had seven sacks in 2010, he’s also 30 and has missed 17 games due to injury over the past three seasons. It would be surprising if Jenkins got an offer averaging $12 million on the open market and though the Packers may lose him once free agency begins, there was no reason to pay a 30-year-old defensive end not named [intlink id=”474″ type=”category”]Reggie White[/intlink] that much per season.
The same goes for paying the maddeningly inconsistent Mason Crosby $3 million per season. Crosby connected on 78.6 percent of his field goal attempts in 2010, which ranked 30th in the league, and has a career average of 78.1.
They should extend Crosby’s contract, he’s getting better and much better than the rest of the trash out there in FA.
Agreed. We should keep Crosby. He may have missed some but he hit a 56 yarder with room to spare. When he improves we would have the option to go for the win way out of field goal range. The Packers will extend his contract.
Definatley wouldn’t tag crosby. I dont hate him but you can’t pay through the nose for someone who’s got average numbers. Paying a guy a top 5 salary who isn’t top 5 caliber is not advisable
I agree…while Crosby is a serviceable FG kicker…he does not wow you with his leg…almost every kickoff only gets to the 20 yd line and when he does get the chance to win games for you he misses ala the 50+ yarder he doinked off the upright @ Washington this season! I would love to see him stay in GB he is a testament to Thompson’s ability to draft solid players but not at top 5 talent until his play truly warrants it!