Franchise Chris Simms?

[Huey Freeman]

In the offseason, what are your thoughts on Franchising Chris Simms?  I am not in favor of having him back next season, but I know as most of you do that he will be very popular on the free agent market.  He is a young QB with starting experience and a canon for an arm.  He took us to the playoffs last season, so he should be somewhat popular.  I think that Oakland would be all over him. 

If we franchise him, we would have the rights to trade him for a pick.  Remember, the Tag doesn't mean we have to pay him the average of the top 5 QBs in the league, because the team can also remove the tag before the season.  By putting the Tag on him, the Bucs might be able to get a return on their initial investment. 

I think he might be a quality QB, but I think as many of you do that he is the wrong fit for our system.  It would be a shame to let him go for nothing (ie Brees in SD). 

no......no.....why would you. If you remove the tag I believe you can't use it for a year. Why the hell would you pay him the avg. of the top 5 QBs in the league? With Manning and Vicks huge contracts we're not talking junk change, I'm sure he'd come for a heck of a lot cheaper than that.

[dbtb135]

No.

I say no as well, but I am curious as to where you found language saying that we wouldn't have to pay him the top 5 average?  To my knowledge, if you tag a player that is part of the requirements.  As others have pointed out, I don't like the sound of the idea, especially when it is the QB position given Manning's and Vick's contracts.

Unfortunately we lost the opportunity to deal Simms away.

[ABuccs Fan]

I'm guessing someone doesn't know the intricacies of the Franchise Tag rules?

[Bucz113]

Once a player signs the franchise tender, the team can't take back the offer.  And I'm sure it wouldn't take Simms long to sign a contract that pays him the average of the top 5 QBs in the league.

[Huey Freeman]

If he signed the Tender, yes.  But if he doesn't, you can remove the tag once it is placed.  That is what was implied.  I am fully aware of the Franchise rule.  That would be the risk, if he signed the tender.  Similar happened with Charles Woodson a couple years ago.  But other teams have been able to get picks for players they were about to lose.  The Bills got a 1st for Play-less Price.  I'm not suggesting that we would get a first, but we might be able to get something.

And who else would we use it on this year?  Dewayne White is a candidate for a long term contract...... 

[Mohawkbucs]

WTF, this has got to be a joke, if they did that im jabbing a pen in my eye

[Badbud8]

NO WAY,,,,, NO HOW,,,,,, NOT they way the tag Works

[DanTurksGhost]

In the offseason, what are your thoughts on Franchising Chris Simms?

That's hilarious. The Buccaneers currently have NO player worthy of franchise player designation.

[alldaway]

Talented young QBs are assets.  I'm not suggesting that we should use a Franchise or Transition Tag on him, I just broached the question. 

I may be in the minority but I would like to see Simms re-signed.  But I think some team will offer him more money and he will go elsewhere.

[mjs020294]

Franchising Chris Simms? 

Now that there is a post deserving of a special award.   

[BucsAddict]

Rich Mckay is that you?

[DanTurksGhost]

Rich Mckay is that you?

McKay would have franchised his #1 and #2 pick, Kenyatta Walker.

[cheveliar]

Can you franchise a guy that's not under contract?  I'm guessing you can't?  But that's a guess...