DOG: Tag - You're It!

PK- Jeff Reed hit with the Franchise Tag

We start our series of off-season Stiller articles this week with some news that will shape our roster for this coming season and likely for years to come.

First off, the truly good news is that Fat Casey Hampton has been signed to a 3 year, $21 million contract. This does several things for the Stillers, all of them good. First of all $21mil., 11 mil. of which is guaranteed, sounds like a lot of dough to us regular working folks. But it can be classified as a "hometown discount" to people who know the true value of a consistent run stopping Pro-Bowl Nose Tackle. Secondly, we've got the foundation of our defense set for next year. Third, it gives us three years to find and groom a successor for that position. And lastly, we do not need to be in a rush to draft a player for this spot high in the upcoming draft unless he happens to be the "best player available" by the time the Stillers are on the clock.

The assumption by many was that Hampton would not sign with the Stillers and force them to use the Franchise Tag on him. After signing Casey, the Stiller front office chose instead to franchise placekicker Jeff Reed. A much cheaper option. With Reed tagged, it gives him a hefty salary increase while buying the organization time to continue contract negotiations with Reed's agent. And most importantly it keeps one of the top 3-4 kickers in the game on our roster.

Among those untagged and not under contract are starting safety, Ryan Clark, and running back, Fast Willie Parker. I'm not sure what the front office has up their sleeves for these guys. It's possible they want both back at reduced contracts. But they are willing to risk losing either or both and must have a plan in case this occurs. In Parker's case I think there is a reasonable chance he will resign with the Stillers to be Mendenhall's backup. The reason for this is that the market will be flooded with name running backs looking for a new team. LaDanian Tomlinson has already been released by the Chargers, and Bryan Westbrook has been cut by the Eagles (although Westbrook likely has concussed his way right out of the league). Also about to be set free are Clinton Portis in Washington and Chester Taylor in Minnesota. So Parker my just take a discount too and remain a Stiller for the remainder of his career.

Ryan Clark, I don't know. If we don't sign him what is the backup plan? Surely it cannot be Ryan Mundy. And Tyrone Carter is a free agent as well, which is fine because he can't play anymore anyway. Move DeShea to Safety? DeShea's not under contract either! So either we sign Clark, draft a safety high. Get one who can start immediately. Or sign a free agent from some other team to fill the position with NFL caliber play. I'm guessing the Stillers think they can re-sign Clark later and draft a replacement for him this year (or last year, some say Keenan Lewis could make a real good free safety, who knows?).

The Transition Tag was not used on anybody when most thought Clark was a candidate for that. So it's hard to say what the plan is. All I know is that there absolutely is a plan which is far more than the fans of many other NFL teams can say... Al Davis anyone??