Monday, February 18, 2013
Philly's tag plans
By Tim Kavanagh
The two seasons following the Philadelphia Eagles' winning offseason of 2011 didn't go so well: they missed the playoffs by a narrow margin that following campaign before the bottom fell out in 2012, as they finished 4-12 and wound up with the No. 4 overall pick. So far in 2013, it appears they're headed to another "Winners of the offseason" title, having lured top HC candidate Chip Kelly to southeast Pennsylvania, but now they must solidify their on-field personnel.
Out of all of their impending free agents, the only real option for them for a franchise tag -- which can be applied beginning on Monday -- is CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. At one point, DRC seemed destined to be a perennial starter at outside CB, but his level of play was questionable in 2012, and reports earlier this offseason indicated that a multi-year contract for him was not under consideration. And according to a report on Monday, it would appear that a franchise tag isn't coming, either.
Geoff Mosher of CSN Philadelphia reports that the Eagles won't apply the franchise tag to anyone this offseason, and that "anyone" grouping obviously includes Rodgers-Cromartie.
There are a number of teams with a need at CB, so don't shed any tears for DRC; he'll get his money from someone. As for the Eagles, they still need to make a decision on highly-priced veteran Nnamdi Asomugha, but have also been projected to take a CB early on in the draft (perhaps even with that No. 4 pick).
