Cards plan to skip use of franchise tag again
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 20, 2004 12:00 AM
INDIANAPOLIS - For the second straight year, the Cardinals won't place the franchise label on one of their unrestricted free agents, Rod Graves, vice president of football operations, confirmed Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"We're in a much greater position in terms of managing the free-agent process," Graves said.
Only one regular starter, cornerback David Barrett, is an unrestricted free agent. If the Cardinals were to franchise him, they would be committing to paying him $6.8 million in 2004, more than they think Barrett is worth.
The franchise label guarantees a salary worth the average of the five highest-paid players in the league at that position.
The Cardinals remain interested in re-signing Barrett, who hits the open market March 2, when free agency begins.
Inquiring minds
Unlike some of his fellow running backs, Clarence Farmer plans to participate in combine drills. But NFL officials have more questions about his mental state than his physical one.
Interim coach Mike Hankwitz kicked Farmer off the University of Arizona football team last year. Farmer showed up late for practice one day because he had been shagging fly balls at baseball practice. He also had several disagreements with former Arizona coach John Mackovic.
Farmer referred to his problems at Arizona as "bumps and bruises."
He feels fortunate to be among the 330 players invited to the combine.
"I'm surprised," he said. "All day I've been smiling from ear to ear, just being among the nation's best college athletes."
Brother act
Two years ago, Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown improved his draft standing by staying late at the combine and doing some extra throwing. Scouts were impressed by his arm strength, and the Cardinals took him in the third round.
His younger brother, Luke, plans to follow the same script at this combine.
"The more times you can throw it without getting tired, the better," said Luke, who played at Louisiana Tech. "I have fun throwing the ball. If you gave me a ball right now, I'd find somebody to play catch with. That's my mentality."
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 20, 2004 12:00 AM
INDIANAPOLIS - For the second straight year, the Cardinals won't place the franchise label on one of their unrestricted free agents, Rod Graves, vice president of football operations, confirmed Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"We're in a much greater position in terms of managing the free-agent process," Graves said.
Only one regular starter, cornerback David Barrett, is an unrestricted free agent. If the Cardinals were to franchise him, they would be committing to paying him $6.8 million in 2004, more than they think Barrett is worth.
The franchise label guarantees a salary worth the average of the five highest-paid players in the league at that position.
The Cardinals remain interested in re-signing Barrett, who hits the open market March 2, when free agency begins.
Inquiring minds
Unlike some of his fellow running backs, Clarence Farmer plans to participate in combine drills. But NFL officials have more questions about his mental state than his physical one.
Interim coach Mike Hankwitz kicked Farmer off the University of Arizona football team last year. Farmer showed up late for practice one day because he had been shagging fly balls at baseball practice. He also had several disagreements with former Arizona coach John Mackovic.
Farmer referred to his problems at Arizona as "bumps and bruises."
He feels fortunate to be among the 330 players invited to the combine.
"I'm surprised," he said. "All day I've been smiling from ear to ear, just being among the nation's best college athletes."
Brother act
Two years ago, Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown improved his draft standing by staying late at the combine and doing some extra throwing. Scouts were impressed by his arm strength, and the Cardinals took him in the third round.
His younger brother, Luke, plans to follow the same script at this combine.
"The more times you can throw it without getting tired, the better," said Luke, who played at Louisiana Tech. "I have fun throwing the ball. If you gave me a ball right now, I'd find somebody to play catch with. That's my mentality."
