NYT:Jets Apply Franchise Tag to Abraham

[denverdan]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/18/sports/football/18nfl.html?pagewanted=all

N.F.L. ROUNDUP

Jets Apply Franchise Tag to Abraham

By RICHARD LEZIN JONES

Published: February 18, 2005

John Abraham, the Jets' Pro Bowl defensive end, has been designated the team's franchise player, but negotiations on a longterm contract are continuing, a club official said yesterday.

The designation means that Abraham, 26, one of the Jets' four first-round picks in 2000, will remain with the team next season for a one-year contract equal to the average salary of the highest-paid players at his position - roughly $6.5 million - if he does not get a different deal.

Another team could still offer Abraham a contract, but the Jets would have a week to match it. If they failed to do so, they would receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.

Putting a franchise tag on Abraham may add some uncertainty to the backup running back LaMont Jordan's future with the team.

While the Jets have said that they would like to keep both Abraham and Jordan, league rules allow them to use the franchise designation on one player. With the Jets using the tag on Abraham, Jordan - perhaps the team's second-most important re-signing priority after Abraham - will be free to test the market when free agency begins March 2.

The 26-year-old Jordan, one of the best running backs in the league who is not a starter, is expected to receive interest from a number of teams. Among Jordan's possible suitors are the Oakland Raiders, who in recent years have reportedly approached the Jets about a trade for Jordan, and the Miami Dolphins, who after the abrupt retirement of Ricky Williams finished the season 4-12, their worst record since 1969.

Abraham finished the season with nine and a half sacks despite missing the final four games with a strained right lateral collateral ligament.

Abraham was named to his third Pro Bowl in five seasons. Although he was unable to return from the injury in time for the Jets' playoff run, he is expected to recover before next season.

Brees Protected by Chargers

The San Diego Chargers used their franchise tag on quarterback Drew Brees yesterday and will offer him a one-year contract at just more than $8 million. Brees made $1.56 million in base pay last season, when he led the Chargers out of the N.F.L.'s basement to the American Football Conference West title at 12-4.(AP)

Bruschi Has a Mild Stroke

The New England Patriots said yesterday that linebacker Tedy Bruschi, a centerpiece of their Super Bowl championship defense, sustained a mild stroke Wednesday night. Bruschi experienced temporary numbness, blurred vision and headaches and was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, the team said.

"It has been determined that these symptoms were the results of a mild stroke," said a team spokesman, Stacey James, who reported that Bruschi was "walking and talking normally" and could be released as early as today.

Bruschi, 31, a nine-year veteran, played in his first Pro Bowl on Sunday. He had two fumble recoveries in the team's 20-3 playoff victory over the Indianapolis Colts and an interception in the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles.(AP)

New Turf Again in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers are replacing the much-maligned turf at Heinz Field - again. The work began before the N.F.L. Players Association released a player survey earlier this month rating the field among the five worst playing surfaces. In that survey, Steelers players rated their own surface as the worst in the league.

Two years ago, the Steelers installed DD GrassMaster - a hybrid surface that combines real sod with synthetic fibers - after complaints that the footing was poor on the sand-based grass surface in place when the field opened in 2001.

Earlier this month, workers again scraped off the surface, but they are not changing turfs. They are again installing a DD GrassMaster surface. The Steelers are hoping that will help, because the Denver Broncos did the same thing at Invesco Field at Mile High, and that field was ranked the eighth-best in the league by players. (AP)

Titans Consult With the Police

The Tennessee Titans asked Nashville's police chief to meet with players about off-field behavior after charges were filed this week against two team members. Safety Tank Williams was arrested yesterday morning on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol. Cornerback Samari Rolle surrendered to the police two days ago on charges of assaulting his wife on Valentine's Day.(Bloomberg News)

[skin_finatic]

well thats that