Realistically, we only have four options for the franchise tag this year; not using it, Jake Long, Sean Smith, Randy Starks. As the season progressed, the popular opinion throughout the media has shifted from us using the tag on Long, to Smith, and now to Starks. With the salary cap currently set to be approximately $120.9 million, we have $35.8 million to spend on draft picks, free agents, and re-signings this year.
From NFL.com, each player would cost as follows:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...ag-numbers-tentatively-set-2013-cap-near-121m
So how would each franchise player affect our total budget? Long, Smith, and Starks would leave us with $25.2, $27.5, and $26.2 million, respectively, under the franchise tag. As the cheapest and most proven option, it's clear why Starks has been the favorite by fans and media, alike, but in the end, this depends on Ireland's valuation of Long's and Smith's potentials; Can Long return to the status of being a franchise left tackle? Can Smith consistently be the shutdown corner he shows flashes of being? If the answer is yes to either of those questions, then this decision is certainly not as cut and dry as it seems, especially considering the amount of depth at defensive tackle in the upcoming draft, relative to the other positions.
*For reference, if you don't know the difference between the franchise and transition tags (as I did not), take a look here: http://football.about.com/cs/football101/a/franchisetransi.htm
So what do you all think? Who, if it all, should we use the franchise tag on?
Who should the Dolphins apply the franchise tag to?
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Jake Long
6.7% -
Sean Smith
2.2% -
Randy Starks
73.3% -
No one
17.8%
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Guest
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Guest
I know it's a joke, but to put into perspective just how unrealistic that is....
WR: Franchise: $10.357DolfanTom likes this. -
Larryfinfan 17-0...Priceless Club Member
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If they can't re-sign Starks before the deadline, I'd tag him.
Randy Starks is the only one who you wouldn't be paying way more than they would get in free agency besides maybe Long
Rather we just out right sign Starks and use the tag on Long/Smith. But of course, Miami does every ****ing thing at the last god damn minute and we'll have to use it on Starks and lose both Smith and Long and get nothing in return. Love our team!
texanphinatic likes this.
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Do your damndest to resign Starks and tag Long.
Guest
You're absolutely right, and I apologize if that fact makes your post moot--I enjoyed the read.
DolfanTom likes this.
The only player the Dolphins have as a free agent who is worth the franchise tag is, Starks. No other Dolphin free agent is worth anywhere close to what it would cost the Dolphins to tag them.
Ducken likes this.
Oh, ouch then. I really do want Jake back for reasons I've stated, but that's just too much .... I think. I mean, we do have the money, but sheesh, that's a ton considering what other plans Ireland MAY have after 3/12.
Starks, only one whose franchise tag money is near what he's worth to us. Would like to keep both Smith and Long too, but they're not worth the money they want or the tag would pay them.
definitely a no-brainer. with the cap remaining potentially flat for a few more years, overpaying for vets will bite you in the arse much more so.
It was a half-joke I suppose. I think in general, retaining Hartline is a lot more important than people here believe.
I don't think tagging Hartline at that price is any worse than tagging Long.
Ultimately I don't think I would tag anyone. Maybe Starks, but I'm not sure that would be the best idea.
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