I have seen some discussion of the possibility of using a tag (franchise or transition) on Moss at the end of the year. With the franchise tag, he is ours, no questions asked, and nobody can sign him. With the transition tag, he can negotiate, and we would get 2 first rounders for him in the event he signs elsewhere. I question how much risk there is in that. With Moss wanting the big deal, I wonder who is going to drop 100mil on the guy, while also giving up 2 first rounders. I believe Moss is the greatest receiver in the game, and when his career is over, will have surpassed CC and Rice in every category. If I'm the Vikes, I consider dropping 100mil on him over 8-10 years., but if he is looking for 18-20mil up front, and the balance over 5-6 years, say buh-bye Randy. No we we, or any NFL team can do that. My guess is that where this plays out is he gets a 15mil signing bonus, and a 6 year deal over 6-7ears,(out until 2007 when the recently extended Labor deal expires) with the total package being in the 75mil range. The 15mil is prorated oiver the life of the deal, (2.5mil per), with base salaries ranging from 3mil to 15mil at the end, with achievable incentives worked in, (Pro Bowl, catches, TD's, etc). It'd be interesting to see if his agent would agree to some team incentives (Playoffs, NFC Campionships, Super Bowl, and his performances in those games). This might afford us some downside protection...

-- Jim (thewitts1@home.com), June 09, 2001

Answers

I believe that if the Vikes use the franchise tag on Moss, it will make him really unhappy. They don't want to make him unhappy, as the only bargaining tool they have is money ... and for whatever it looks like to the news media regarding Moss being greedy for money (i.e., that he likes money, therefore is "being unreasonable") the truth is that these contract negotiations are not about money to Moss. It is about respect, rather than dollars. It is most difficult to negotiate with someone who does not love money. If the highest paid player made $50,000 per year, I really believe Moss would be happy with $51,000.

-- Mary McClung (Shahimm@aol.com), June 09, 2001.

Glad to see you found it Mary.

Trying to read between the lines on the whole Moss-Contract situation, I think there are some definite issues with both parties. If the Vikings pay Moss what he is asking, What are they going to have left to sign Birk, Griffith and Wong? I guess they will all walk after the season. Not to mention Culpepper being in line for a new contract soon. Also is Moss going to continue to take plays off? This is completely unacceptable in my opinion, in any team sport you have to give it your all, well all the time. If Moss takes plays off it not only hurts his teamates ability to do their part on the field but it will as sure as shit create a rift off it. Moss has done a whole lot of good, but when you start throwing around money like he is asking for, you better do more than that. Now on the other hand, Moss is the most talented player in football at his position right now. He should definetely be payed more than MeShawn or Starvin Marvin, but we all know Farce and Bledsoe will not play out their respective 100 million dollar contracts. Moss has to see this or we will be forced to send him packing. I think offering Moss a deal that is say $1 million more a year on average than what MeShawn is getting with up to $5 million more in a signing bonus would be fair. I just hope Moss and the Vikes can work something out soon, otherwise I have a sneaking suspicsion that things could get really ugly.

IZ

-- Iz (izmorrow@yahoo.com), June 10, 2001.

Here are the definitions for franchise, exclusive franchise and transition tags:

Exclusive Rights Free Agent (EFA) - A player with less than 3 accrued seasons who is not currently under contract but may not negotiate with any team other than his prior club.

Franchise Player - A designation placed by the team on one of their unrestricted free agents no more than once per year.  The more common 'Non-Exclusive Rights Franchise Player' receives a tender offer for a salary equal to the average of the top 5 salary cap numbers for players at his position from the previous season, or 120% of his prior season's salary cap number, whichever is greater.  As such the team can match any contract offer the player accepts from another team, word for word, or receive two first round draft picks in compensation.  The less common 'Exclusive Rights Franchise Player' cannot negotiate with any other team and has his one-year salary determined by the average of the top 5 salary cap numbers for players at his position on a date one week before that year's NFL Rookie Draft.

Transition Player - A designation placed by the team on one of their unrestricted free agents that gives them a Right of First Refusal after giving them a tender offer equal to the average of the top 10 salary cap numbers for players at his position from the previous season, or 120% of his prior season's salary cap number, whichever is greater.  As such the team can match any contract offer the player accepts from another team, word for word, but would receive no compensation if they do not match the offer.  A team can designate no more than 1 Franchise or Transition player once per year.

-- Mark (Karch 222@aol.com), June 14, 2001.