2009 NFL Franchise Tags

Fourteen teams have placed their franchise tags. The St. Louis Rams who cut Corey Chavous a week ago have used their franchise tag on Free Safety Oshiomogho Atogwe. With Atogwe in the fold and Todd Johnson able to play Strong Safety, the Rams will now set their sites in trying to sign Cornerback Ron Bartell. The Rams who are in desparate need of upgrading their linebacker core have seen 3 top linebackers in Karlos Dansby, Terrell Suggs, and Leroy Hill already tagged. The free agent period should be very interesting. Definition of franchise Tag:

1. A designation given to a player by his team to keep him from leaving via free agency. According to the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, the player must be paid the average salary of the top five players at his position.

2. A term used to refer to a superstar player who is invaluable to his team.

Arizona - Karlos Dansby LB $8,304,000
Atlanta - Micharl Koenen P $2,483,000
Baltimore - Terrell Suggs LB $8,304,000
Carolina - Julius Peppers DE $8,991,000
Cincinnati - Shayne Graham K $2,483,000
New England - Matt Cassel QB $14,651,000
New York Giants - Brandon Jacobs RB $6,621,000
San Diego - Darren Sproles RB $6,621,000
Tampa Bay - Antonio Bryant WR $9,884,000
Houston - Dunta Robinson CB $9,957,000
St. Louis - Oshiomogho Atogwe S $6,342,000
Tennessee - Bo Scaife TE $4,462,000
Seattle - Leroy Hill LB $8,304,000
Pittsburgh - Max Starks T $8,451,000