Monday, February 18, 2013
Cincy's tag decision
By Tim Kavanagh
Every NFL team is now in the process of deciding whether to use their franchise tag, as the designation can be applied from Monday through March 4. One of the teams that appears likely to use their tag on someone is the Cincinnati Bengals, though the question remains: on whom shall it be applied?
The two primary options are RT Andre Smith and DE Michael Johnson. Johnson, who would stand to make a lot of money as an unrestricted free agent this offseason, is taking a patient approach to the matter while taking some classes at Georgia Tech.
"I'm in a good position where I can just sit back and just chill and see how it plays out," he explained, per Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "I'm not worried about anything. I'm very excited about this time and I know everything will work itself out and I'll be in the best situation. Hopefully that's in Cincinnati, so I'll know here in a few weeks."
The relevant tag figures this offseason, courtesy of NFL.com, are $10.984 for a DE and $9.660 for an O-lineman. Cincy, of course, doesn't need to penny-pinch this offseason, as they're projected to have around $55 million under the salary cap. In Reedy's informed opinion, the Bengals are more likely to tag Smith than Johnson, based upon the other options on the roster at those positions. In the end, both may be on the 2013 roster, with one getting a multi-year extension and one having the tag.
