The always entertaining Sharona at her Twitter handle (@SportsBySharona) has helped shed some light on how the exclusive franchise tag is not necessarily something the Colts can use to retain the services of one Mr. Adam Vinatieri, field goal kicker. As you know, Vinny is a free agent this year and he is coming off one of the best seasons in his likely Hall of Fame resume.
Sharona pointed me and her Twitter followers to a tweet from former NFL agent and current writer for National Football Post and CBS Sports, Joel Corry, on the franchise tag and Adam Vinatieri. Here's Corry's take:
Adam Vinatieri isn't a franchise tag option for Indy. Since the Pats franchised him twice ('02 & '05), he gets the QB number with a 3rd tag.
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) February 26, 2014
My first thought was that 2002 and 2005 were eons ago. Specially, they were two CBAs ago. Does that mean they still carry over? Corry answered yes.
@SportsbySharona @StampedeBlue The issue was decided w/Brees' grievance. His '12 tag was his 2nd w/the Saints because of his San Diego tag.
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) February 26, 2014
So, that would seem to settle that. Paying a kicker the kind of money one gives a top five quarterback isn't even worth discussing. It simply isn't happening.
If the Colts want to keep Vinatieri in the fold - and, in my opinion, I consider keeping him more of a priority over punter Pat McAfee - then they'll need to work something out before the new league year begins March 11th in order to avoid unrestricted free agency.