Seahawks Blog
Danny O'Neil covers the Seahawks for The Seattle Times.
SubscribeApril 26, 2009 10:29 AM
The removal of Leroy Hill's franchise tag
Posted by Danny O'Neil
No sooner had the Seahawks added a linebacker to their roster by drafting Aaron Curry than they subtracted one, pulling the franchise tag from Leroy Hill and making him an unrestricted free agent.
Why would the Seahawks do that? It's a question that certainly merits exploring.
First, it certainly reflects the fact negotiations had not been moving toward a long-term agreement and were most likely headed in the opposite direction.
Second, it frees up $8.3 million in salary-cap space, providing the Seahawks with flexibility should they want to sign a veteran -- cough, cough, Ken Lucas, cough, cough. We could find out the answer to that sooner rather than later.
The long-term effects are the bigger question now. President Tim Ruskell has stated the team still hopes to agree to a long-term contract with Hill, but Seattle also played contractual hardball with him, designating him a franchise player at the start of free agency -- when teams had money to spend -- and pulling the tag off two months later when millions of free-agent dollars have been doled out elsewhere. Are there any hard feelings that must be bridged for Hill to sign a long-term deal with Seattle.
Hill had the option of signing the franchise tender when the Seahawks applied it to him. He chose not to, which retains some leverage. He was not under contract and would not be subject to any fines for not participating in mandatory offseason camps or even training camp. But not signing the tender also gave the Seahawks the option of rescinding that offer -- and the $8.3 million salary that went with it -- much like the Philadelphia Eagles did with Corey Simon a few years ago.
So the removal of the tag sets up the possibility that momre dominoes will fall in the acquisition of a veteran. It also risks the possibility Seattle will lose Hill to another team without receiving any compensation.
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