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Feb. 3, 2003) -- I've been watching game tapes for the past week, talking to personnel, coaches and agents around the league. And with the season over, all interests have turned to the potential unrestricted free agents. The free-agency signing period starts on Feb. 28 and no one is sitting back and not preparing for this crucial time period.
Agents are struggling with contract offers to have players remain with their clubs or head to free agency. Club executives are deciding which of their own players they should re-sign, which ones they should let test the 'free-agent waters' and which ones they should just let go. As I pointed out last week, free agency played a big part in the success of both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders in this year's Super Bowl. And the 2003 season starts right now with good personnel decisions.
Of course, teams have the right to protect one player with a transition tag or a franchise tag. A transition tag means the player can test free agency when it starts but the home team can match any offer the player receives and retain the player. A franchise tag is a stronger position for the club, in that the club receives at least a first-round draft pick if the franchise player signs with another club.
