Bucs to give Bryant franchise tag barring deal

The Bucs will make receiver Antonio Bryant their franchise player if they're unable to reach a deal by Thursday's deadline to apply the designation.

That means if Bryant subsequently signs the offer, the Bucs would be obligated to pay him $9.884-million for 2009. That's the average of the league's top five highest-paid receivers.

Bryant will become a free agent when the signing period begins Feb. 27. If he is franchised, a team signing Bryant to an offer sheet must be willing to give the Bucs two first round picks as compensation.

Bryant, 27, posted career marks for receptions (83), receiving yards (1,248) and touchdowns (7) in 2008, his first season with the Bucs.

The only thing that would prevent the Bucs from using their franchise player tag on Bryant by Thursday is if they have made significant progress on a long-term deal or have an agreement in principle. But before using the franchise tag, "We'll see if we can reach an agreeement,'' coach Raheem Morris said Tuesday night.

General  manager Mark Dominik has been in negotiations with Bryant's agent, Peter Schaffer, for several weeks in an attempt to reach a long-term deal. Neither Schaffer nor Dominik will comment on the progress of those talks.

Retaining the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Bryant is the biggest priority for the Bucs this off-season.

After missing all of 2007 following well-documented dustups with Bill Parcells in Dallas and Mike Nolan in San Francisco, the Bucs considered Bryant a worthy reclamation project. Nobody ever doubted his talent and the year away from football gave Bryant a new perspective and maturity.

Bryant was a model player and teammate last season and he established a close relationship with receivers coach Richard Mann, who has been promoted to assistant head coach under Morris.

With receiver Michael Clayton set to become a free agent and 37-year-old Joey Galloway is coming off an injury-plagued season in which he broke two bones in his foot.

The last Tampa Bay player to receive a franchise tag was defensive end Chidi Ahanotu in 1999.

Bryant would clearly be the most coveted receiver in a free agent class that includes the Bengals' T.J. Houshmandzadeh and the Saints Devery Henderson. Bryant played for the veteran minimum of about $760,000 last season.

By comparison, the Minnesota Vikings signed free agent receiver Bernard Berrian to a six-year, $42-million contract one year after he caught 71 passes for 951 yards (13.4 average) with five touchdowns for the Chicago Bears.

Comments

[Leo In Canada]

The Bucs are in a tough spot with this situation. If they don't aggressively pursue Bryant, the fans will mutiny. If they open the vault and his production slips, they are open to a different kind of criticism. Hopefully they can come to a reasonable solution making everyone happy. From a fan's perspective I suppose an error of aggression is better than one of omission!

[Adam]

Pay the man. This team hasn't had a consistent threat at WR since Keyshawn left. Bryant is worth every penny - double-coverage, triple-coverage... the guy is always open.

[BucFandango]

This situation smells fishy. It sounds like the agent or Bryant is getting very greedy at this point. If Dominik is ready to tag him at $9.8 mil, then I'm sure the deal offered has been substantial. This almost sounds if he wants to be the highest paid WR in the league. So whatever, tag him. He may be good trade bait to a team with a high 1'st round pick. Maybe you get that pick and a player or another 3'rd round pick. No one gives up 2 - 1'st picks. I would be all for keeping Antonio, but a team like Phili could really use him and may give up McNabbulous & Lito or a pick for him. Antonio did great things in 08' but he also dropped some passes too. Hopefully he's over that.

[ETO]

This better not happen! He is not a top 5 or even a top 10 reciever.
You answer...Fitz, Boldin, R. Moss, Cal Johnson, Andre Johnson, S.Smith, R. Wayne, TO, TJ, Plax, Braylon, Colston.....
This would be a horrible waste of money. He's not worth more than 4-5 mil/year especially considering the economy right now. Just ask the baseball free agents. No one is spending big money.
And don't forget, this guy is on strike 2. You never know when he'll attack the OC with a knife.
I want this guy but NOT FOR 10MIL/YEAR!!!

[JJRodriguezExaminer]

I agree with the notion that the Bucs MUST retain Bryant's services, however I agree with the majority of fans that believe he isn't worth Top 5 money. The kicker is that Bryant's agent KNOWS the Bucs need him and they are using that as leverage to run up the price, which is perfectly fine with me. Try to sign him long-term, but if he wants to be greedy, let him test the market. By all means though, don't waste the franchise tag on him.

http://www.examiner.com/x-1639-Tampa-Bay-Buccaneers-Examiner

[Vincent]

Leo in Canada, I respect your opinion but I don't think the fans will "mutiny". Many believe it to be unwise to "Franchise Tag" a player that has only demonstrated one great season, and would support the decision to allow him to leave the ranks of the Bucs WR corps. Watch other posts as they come in.

[Str8BucIn]

ETO get a life. The reason those guys play is because their paid. Give AB a long term deal and we wouldn't have to put a tag on him. No one said he was asking for 9 million a year, that's what he gets if he's tagged. I think the guy wants a long term deal, so his family can have some security. I agree with Adam, just pay the man because he's the best receiver we've had since KeyShawn.

[skp]

he may not be one of the best 5 players at his position, but that's the rule for the franchise tag and the premium paid for holding onto somebody who wants to test the market. without him the team looks pretty terrible offensively. last year it was the QB who couldn't get defenders to back out of the box, this year without bryant it'll be the wideouts who don't scare people enough to respect the passing game.

the bucs need him and they have the cap space, if they don't franchise bryant or lock him into long-term deal, they're pretty much announcing that it's not important to win game this year.

[IMISS_No47]

...wanna be a baller, shot caller, 20 inch blades on the Impalla! Antonio knows is all about the Benjamins C.R.E.A.M.

[Larry]

If you can't get a long term deal give him the franchise tag. You've got the salary cap space and can use the draft and/or free agency to find another receiver or two. Once the '09 season ends you can make a long term commitment to him (if he posts a second year of high caliber play) or let him go and promote whoever the #2 guy turns out to be.

It ain't personal, it's just business...

[Jimbo]

I think the bucs should offer a contract to Bryant that is in the ball park of 4 years for a total of 28 million that seems fair.

[Vincent]

Well Leo in Canada, looks like I was wrong, and that most seem to want to "Franchise" Bryant. I am in the monority. I'd rather see them overpay for Boldin, rather than Bryant.

[Double R]

Wow! I hope that Mr. Bryant is not fool’s gold.

[Robert]

It's simple, GET HIM SIGNED NOW! Get that done so we can move on to other personnel issues with this team. Bryant earned the money, but he better have another solid year if he wants top 5 kind of money on his contract. I like what I have seen from this franchise the last month or so!

[dolphinsandbucsfan]

Jimbo i'm with you on that one. 4years, 28 million with 9million up front is'nt a bad deal. I will pay him that in a heart beat.

[dolphinsandbucsfan]

For all the doubters out there. Here go some #1 and #2 WR'S salaries and this is why I think AB is worth 28 million with his on field character issues. Eagles Kevin Curtis (6years $32 million, $9.5 guaranteed), Drew Bennett (6years $30 million, $10 million guaranteed), Donte' Stallsworth (7years $35 million, $10 million guaranteed), jerry porter (6years $30million, $7.5 million guaranteed). Reggie Brown (5years $21million, $10million guaranteed). Javon Walker (6year, $55 million $16 million guaranteed). Justin Gage (4years $14 million $6.5 guaranteed). Ronald Curry (5-year $20 million, $8.5 million guaranteed).

[CW]

He's worth it and he deserves to get paid. He played above and beyond expectations last year for a minimal salary, now he deserves to get paid.

[RaysforaBuc]

I agree with ATO that Bryant is not a top ten receiver. Is Bryant really worth the cap space he'll take up? If we tag him I hope we use him in a trade to get Boldin or Chad Johnson who both want out of their current situations and maybe persue another receiver like TJ in free agency.

Not that Bryant is bad. He's not... but he was only a one year rental to begin with and we should capitalize on his success like the Pats are trying to do with Cassel.

[ty guy]

I had a chance to get his autograph at FanFest but decided not to waste the space on my helmet. That was a bad decision. I had no idea that Antonio Bryant would be such a great reciever for us this year but I was obviously pleasantly surprised. The guy made way more acrobatic plays than Joey Galloway ever did for us. I love Joey too but Antonio should definately be re-signed. TJ would be a great pickup but he could very well sign with the Eagles. Overall, Bryant is our guy, so he should get paid like it.

[Erick]

It definitely seems like Bryant is the one holding this back. I don't see the Bucs shot changing this guy after the season he had and how much demand he is in. Let's get this crap done!!

[eric(bucsfan4life)]

hey ETO the WRs you named off in your blog. AB stats were better than half of the guys you mentioned plus some. we need another WR to compliment him some one big and fast or just flat out fast Percy harvin like..he gets 9mil for one year so if he has another year like he did this year pay him...just think what his stats would be if garcia was able to get the ball to him deep

[GoBucs]

Bryant is talented and I agree not worth top 5 pay and I also agree Tampa should franchise him and see if we can get a Boldin for him which is a more proven WR and might want to play here because he has roots down here, but I also Know thats just dream. Also what tampa needs to address is their slot WR because old Ike Hillard is passed his time. Devry Henderson from NO is available which plays a flanker well too and a Shaun McDonald is out there too from the lions. Both are deep threats as well. Those are the other guys that could help and if Tampa can't get the big name like Houshmandzedth. We all should know Henderson from NO he beat us more then once for big TDs.

[GoBucs]

I agree Bryant is not worth top 5 WR pay but he is talented. And it would be nice to tag him and trade him for Boldin but thats just wishful thinking. There is other good WR that could help Tampa that could replace the aging Galloway and Hillard. And not just the big name Houshmandzedth which is the best chose. Devry Henderson from NO is a UFA that beat Tampa more then once in our games with then. Also Shaun McDonald which is a strong slot WR and a deep threat.

[Jay of St Pete Beach]

Bryant? Of course he's not one of the 5 best receivers. So what? If you franchise him, you get his services for one year, find other avenues, have one more yer to search for other WR's and you are done.
The pickings out there are slim. I am glad they are not just crying poor and letting him fly. This is a win-win to me.

[Stacy]

I could say I told U so, but I am not that kind of guy. Having said that I will say this. Morris and Dominik were foolish to put that statement in print. AB can look @ this 2 ways. Get 9 Mil for 1 year, of which he had better produce because he will be risking his job for the following year(s) after holding the teams TAG hostage - or -take a longer term deal for about the same $ and security for your family. I think that once U R in the millions, a couple here and there does not matter. Especially if you only made $760,000 last season. SO, he either wants 1 big payday (9 Mil) or years of security @ about 7 mil per year for approx 4 years and the admiration of the Bucs. Whatever that is worth in the NFL business.?!?

[Stacy]

Dont forget, we also have to find another WR. As I said in other blogs, he by himself and this TAG can not win games. We DO STILL NEED another quality WR. With or without the add'l 2 or so mil spent on AB, that will still leave us 38 Mil (+ or -) a couple to sign a Boldin, Housh and/or Harvin if he is there in the draft. Still yet after that it wil still leave enough $ to go after Peppers and/or Haynesworth.

[Stacy]

My math was wrong - we have approx 40 Mil to spend. If we spend 7 - 9 mil on AB we will have approx 33 Mil to spend on other players.

[dolphinsandbucsfan]

breaking news AB has been Tagged by the BUCS

[aj]

I like Boldin, but Arizona is not giving him up. At the least he'd be in Keyshawn's league, two firsts plus a huge salary. They need the draft picks, so Bryant's a bit wiser decision.

Not a fan of tagging him, but it seems they think they're stuck with it. It precludes the long term contract, look what happened with Chidi. Doubt they want to risk that happening again, so Bryant is likely a one and done scenario.