If a team is unable or unwilling to work out a new deal for a player it feels it can't afford (on the field) to lose, it has the option of forcing that player to stay for at least a year via the tag, given the team has ample financial room to work under the salary cap.
In 2011, the New England Patriots and New York Jets used the franchise tag on receiver Wes Welker and linebacker David Harris, respectively. New England also tagged quarterback Matt Cassel in 2009.
Here's the projected franchise and transition tag tenders for 2013, via BuffaloBills.com:
CB: Franchise: $10.668 | Transition: $8.939
DE: Franchise: $10.984 | Transition: $8.994
DT: Franchise: $8.306 | Transition: $6.919
K/P: Franchise: $2.926 | Transition: $2.654
LB: Franchise: $9.455 | Transition: $8.216
OL: Franchise: $9.660 | Transition: $8.560
QB: Franchise: $14.642 | Transition: $12.845
RB: Franchise: $8.079 | Transition: $6.851
S: Franchise: $6.798 | Transition: $5.899
TE: Franchise: $5.962 | Transition: $5.105
WR: Franchise: $10.357 | Transition: $8.716
Follow Nick @NickStDenis
Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily
