NFL FAQ
In the spirit of, well… being a dork, I’m going to attempt to make this page a repository for commonly misunderstood NFL rules, regulations, records, and false stories. We’ll be building on this list regularly, and if you have any suggestions, please email us!
2010 — Uncapped Season Rules
Every player from the 2005 draft who signed a five-year contract and every player who signed a four-year deal in 2006 would miss out on eligibility for free agency and revert back to their club as a restricted free agent.
Instead of choosing between using either the exclusive or transition tag for their own free agents, NFL teams will be able to use both of them and an additional transition tag. That’s three tags instead of one.
There will be no salary floor.
Teams that made the playoffs the season before will be restricted in terms of what they can do in free agency (with the limited players that would already be available).
Important 2009 Off-Season Dates
NFL Combine: Feb 18-24
Franchise Tag Deadline: Feb 19
NFL Free Agency Begins: Feb 27
April 17: RFA signing period ends
April 24: Old club must match RFA offers deadline
April 25: NFL Draft
The Franchise Tag
Any team may designate one franchise player (or one transition player) in any given year.
An “exclusive” franchise player — not free to sign with another club — is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position as of April 16 (after the free agency period has played out), or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater.
If the player is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries of last season at his position, or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, he becomes a “non-exclusive” franchise player and can negotiate with other clubs.
His existing club has the right to match any offer made by a new team.
His existing club would receive two first-round draft choices (from the new team) if it chooses not to match.
A player may be “franchised” for a second time, and is guaranteed a 20% raise from the previous year.
A player may be “franchised” a third time, and would be guaranteed a salary equal to the average of the top 5 salaries in the league (at all positions).
Pass Interference
Announcers have a habit of legitimizing pass interference penalties the instant they notice the defensive back wasn’t watching the football. Yet there is nothing in the rules that stipulates a player should be flagged for defensive pass interference if he simply doesn’t turn around to play the ball. He has to make contact with the receiver, or there should be no call. Go ahead, check it out.
I really wish the announcers would shut up about that one.
Eagles 2004 Super Bowl Run
Attention NFL Talking Heads — The Eagles made the Super Bowl without Terrell Owens. He was injured. He played in the Super Bowl, which was the only game in the playoffs that year that the Eagles lost, of course. Again, the Eagles made the Super Bowl without Terrell Owens. Say it slowly to yourself. Repeat.
