Carolina Panthers 02/20/2008 9:41 PMThe Charlotte Observer reports the Carolina Panthers have used their franchise tag on OT Jordan Gross. That means that Gross, whose agent had been trying to negotiate a long-term deal with the team, will be locked up for the 2008 season at the average salary paid the five highest-paid offensive linemen in the NFL in 2007. Teams can still make Gross an offer, but Carolina would have the right to match it, and should Gross sign with some other team, that club would owe the Panthers two first-round draft choices.Read more
Green Bay Packers 02/20/2008 9:39 PMCBSSports.com wire reports the Green Bay Packers designated DT Corey Williams as their franchise player Wednesday, preventing him from becoming an unrestricted free agent. Green Bay also cut veteran TE Bubba Franks. As the Packers' franchise player, Williams receives a one-year contract tender offer worth the average of the league's top five defensive tackles in 2007: $6.363 million. Williams still is able to sign an offer sheet with another team, but the Packers have the right to match the offer or receive draft picks as compensation from his new team.Read more
Tennessee Titans 02/20/2008 9:38 PMThe Nashville Tennessean reports the Titans on Wednesday officially placed the franchise tag on Pro Bowl DT Albert Haynesworth. Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt informed agent Chad Speck earlier in the day of the team's plans. Last week the Titans told Speck they planned to designate Haynesworth as their franchise player by Thursday's deadline. As the franchise player, Haynesworth gets a one-year contract worth $7.25 million.Read more
Pittsburgh Steelers 02/20/2008 9:37 PMThe Post-Gazette reports the Steelers signed backup DE Travis Kirschke to a two-year contract, the team announced yesterday. He received a $300,000 signing bonus and will earn $830,000 in 2008 and $1.15 million in '09. Kirschke, who would have become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this month, will be starting his fifth season with the Steelers. He started four games in 2007 after a biceps injury ended Aaron Smith's season and played in all 16 games.Read more
