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Eagles Place Franchise Tag on Michael Vick, Transition Tag on David Akers

Posted on 15. Feb, 2011 by Mike Burke in Eagles Related

This is no surprise, as it was really just a matter of time. The Eagles had until February 24th to use the franchise tag on Michael Vick but chose to place the tag on him today.

Placing the franchise tag on Vick means he will stay with the team in 2011. However, both Vick and the Eagles would like to work out a long-term deal which means he might not necessarily play under the tag in 2011. If he does, it means that he will earn the average of the top five paid quarterbacks in the NFL.

The current status of the CBA is what caused the Eagles to have to use the tag. When (hopefully not if) a new agreement is made, the Eagles and Vick will be able to talk about a long-term extension.

Using the franchise tag on Vick also makes you think about the status of Kevin Kolb. With his desire to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, and the Eagles clearly choosing Vick as their starter, it makes a trade look likely. There have been discussions debating everything from two first-round picks to a second and fourth round pick, so only time will tell what the Eagles will get for Kolb if they do indeed trade him.

Along with tagging Vick, the Eagles placed another tag on David Akers. This is the transition tag which isn’t as widely used around the league as the franchise tag. The transition tag allows the Eagles the ability to match other offers Akers may get in free agency and also puts his salary at the average of the top 10 kickers in the league.

Tags: david akers, michael vick