Panthers Slap Franchise Tag on T Jordan Gross

In an expected move the Panthers placed the franchise tag on right tackle Jordan Gross. I'm a little disappointed this hasn't been worked out yet but not surprised. The Panthers FO is known for tough negotiations (ref Jon Beason) but in the end they usually get it done.

"We tried to get a multi-year (deal) done, but we can't seem to come together at this point," Hurney said.

By tagging Gross, the Panthers will automatically offer him a one-year salary of $7.45 million, the average of the top five highest-paid offensive linemen in 2007.

Gross is our best lineman and rest assured he is going nowhere this season. This move takes a little pressure off the situation. I don't know what the hang-up is but if I had to guess it involves the number of years of the deal or the amount of guaranteed money.

Another team could make a run at Gross but it would be costly . With the coming draft deep in tackles I guarantee there will not be any offers.

A long-term deal may not happen any time soon either. A few years back the Seahawks franchised T Walter Jones three straight years before a long-term deal was struck. I doubt that will happen here but who knows.