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Franchising helps football teams keep top playersSeattle Seahawks and other teams sign contracts with players to keep from loosing them to free agency in the off-season.
By RICHARD LEZIN JONES
The New York Times
SEATTLE, Feb. 23 --Seattle Seahawks faced the prospect of losing two of their best offensive players - quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, running back Shaun Alexander and left tackle Walter Jones - to free agency this off-season. But in a flurry of negotiations, they managed to retain them all.
After re-signing Hasselbeck to a six-year deal worth about $49 million, including a $16 million signing bonus, and Jones to seven-year contract worth a reported $52.5 million, the Seahawks on Tuesday used their franchise designation on Alexander. Next season, Alexander will earn the average of the salaries of the five highest-paid running backs in the league, about $6.3 million.
Alexander had been widely expected to test the free-agent market, particularly after saying he was "stabbed in the back" by coach Mike Holmgren in the Seahawks' regular-season finale. Alexander was upset because, late in a 28-26 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, Holmgren did not call a running play from the Falcons' 1-yard line that would have tied Alexander with Curtis Martin of the Jets for the rushing title at 1,696 yards.
Among the other prominent players who received a franchise tag on Tuesday were Colts running back Edgerrin James; Jacksonville Jaguars safety Donovin Darius, who received the designation for the third straight season, Oakland Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson, who was designated for a second consecutive year, and New England Patriots place-kicker Adam Vinatieri, who led the league in scoring last season and whose field goals were the margin of victory in the Patriots' three Super Bowl victories.
The Colts were committed to keeping their record-setting offense intact. Within the last two months, they agreed to long-term deals with wide receiver Marvin Harrison and right tackle Ryan Diem.
The Raiders also re-signed wide receiver Joey Porter to a multiyear contract. Terms of the deal were not released. Porter led the Raiders with 64 catches for 998 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Pittsburgh Steelers failed to designate wide receiver Plaxico Burress as their franchise player, all but assuring that he will become a free agent. Burress had at least 60 catches for three consecutive years, but he was hampered by a hamstring injury last season. He caught 35 passes, the fewest since 2000, when he caught 22.
The Dallas Cowboys cut defensive end Marcellus Wiley one season after signing him to a $16 million contract. Wiley had 3 sacks last season after recording 21 the past three season with the San Diego Chargers.
The Jets' most prominent move did not involve a player, but an assistant coach. Bishop Harris, who coached the running backs the past four years, left to take the same position with the San Francisco 49ers.
Harris, who helped guide Martin to a career year last season, is best known for a sideline altercation with coach Herman Edwards during the team's wild-card playoff victory at San Diego.
At one point in the second half, Edwards apparently wanted the backup running back LaMont Jordan inserted into the game and television cameras captured players twice having to separate Edwards and Harris.
The Jets also waived Jamie Henderson, a cornerback who was critically injured in a motorcycle accident in April. Henderson, 26, sustained severe head injuries in the accident and was given little hope of resuming his playing career after the accident.
But the Jets, in what was widely interpreted as a goodwill gesture, re-signed him during training camp with the hope that he could rejoin the team. The Jets said in a statement that Henderson was continuing his rehabilitation under the supervision of the head trainer and strength coach for the University of Georgia.
The Giants released five players on Tuesday, including cornerback Terry Cousin, who started five games at free safety for a defense that was pockmarked by injuries.
Each of the four other players let go Tuesday - defensive end Lorenzo Bromell, defensive tackle Martin Chase, safety Omar Stoutmire and running back Antonio Womack - ended the season on injured reserve.
Story Produced by: Medha Raval
