Panthers plan to franchise Gross if no long-term deal is reached
Panthers aren't close to re-signing their start tackle
Written by Steve Reed
2/13/2008 6:02:26 PM
CHARLOTTE – Get ready Jordan Gross, the tag is coming.
The Carolina Panthers plan to use the franchise tag on Gross if they can’t work out a long-term deal with the five-year NFL veteran before Feb. 21, according to league sources.
Under that scenario Gross would make $7.455 million this year, the average salary cap figure of the top five players at his position.
General manager Marty Hurney would not comment Wednesday on the whether or not the team will use the tag except to say, “It’s a possibility. But I don’t want to say yes at this point. It's something we haven't decided.”
It would have been crazy for the Panthers not to tag Gross given how valuable he is to the team and how difficult it is to find quality offensive tackles in the NFL. Also, if the Panthers didn't tag Gross, he could sign with any other team at the start of free agency and they would receive no compensation for losing him.
Hurney did say the team is not close to reaching a long-term deal with Gross and wasn’t overly optimistic one would get done anytime soon.
Gross is likely seeking a contract worth an average of at least $7 million per season with more than $18 million in guaranteed money, one that would put him on the same pay scale as last year’s top free agent offensive linemen.
FULL STORY
http://www.carolinagrowl.com/Read.aspx?Story=497
Panthers plan to franchise Gross
Panthers plan to franchise Gross
uke:" class="inlineimg" />
Linear Mode
