The franchise tag

There has been some confusion with a few articles which implied Haynesworth could only be franchised one season. That isn't the case.

I shot an e-mail over to Jim Wyatt who says Haynesworth can be franchised in back-to-back years. The thing is, after July 15, if a long-term contract isn't completed, the Titans must pay the tender for the season.

I would not be shocked if the Titans wanted to see if Haynesworth can play at a high level into the season before giving him a monster contract. They are at no risk of him leaving until 2010. I assume they can continue to negotiate into the season even if it can't be used until the end of the season.

If Albert says he won't do a long-term deal if something isn't done by July 15, he'll find himself in the same position after the '08 season. Obviously, he could hold out but that doesn't get him any closer to a long-term deal with the Titans or anyone else.

 

But then he earns nothing and the Titans still own him.

How many players have held out for the season due to being franchised?

 

Hmmm... I maybe should shoot this over to Wyatt.

Regardless, Haynesworth isn't going anywhere anytime soon.