The Patriots slapped the dreaded franchise tag on Vince Wilfork Monday which will guarantee the hefty nose tackle at least $7.003 million in the 2010-2011 season. This number is comprised of the average salaries of the top five players at his position (nose tackle). The reason for the tag is to keep key players from becoming free agents while the team attempts to sign the player to a long term deal.
Vince's wife Bianca had a different interpretation of the tag on her Twitter account: “In regards to the many calls and emails i am receiving in response to the franchise tag we figured this would be the easiest way to addr[ess] … The franchise tag has been applied. After six years of dedicated service i do understand this is a business … With that being said it is my hope that the tag is applied for its true purpose … For the purpose of alotting more time for us to continue our talks and be able to reach along term agreement. … Only time will tell what the final result will be.”
Big Vince has been outspoken about his desire for a long term deal after his six-year rookie contract (now draft picks can't sign contracts for longer than five years) for the Patriots expired. Until the NFL took away six year pacts with rookies, the Pats would try and lock their first rounders up for an extra year with the hope of getting them at a better price in that sixth year. Vince believes he showed good faith the first time around by taking that sixth year, and now he wants to be rewarded.
What may be working in the Patriots' favor is the slue of nose tackles who have been franchised this off-season. These players have or will be franchised by there teams: Ryan Pickett (Green Bay), Casey Hampton (Pittsburgh), and Aubrayo Franklin (San Francisco). In this day and age, it appears teams would rather give one year contracts rather than forking over money for long-term deals.
The two sides will have until mid July to work a deal out or Vince will play on the one-year deal. Owner Robert Kraft called Vince Wilfork the team's number one priority, and the two sides will continue to work on a long-term deal.
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