Blue 88: Mebane might be worth franchise tag
Feb 15, 2011, 2:08 PM | Updated: Apr 4, 2011, 7:52 pm
Photo credit: Associated Press
MyNorthwest.com staff
In Tuesday’s Blue 88, Brock Huard identified kicker Olindo Mare and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane as the two Seahawks most likely to be franchised, which would pay them either the average of the top five salaries at their position or 120 percent of their salary from the previous season, whichever is greater.
Mare earned over $2.8 million as Seattle’s franchise player in 2010. Mebane, meanwhile, would be owed much more if slapped with the franchise tag. The franchise value for defensive tackles in 2010 was just over $7 million.
Brock thinks it might be worth while:
“What do you do with Brandon Mebane or Olindo Mare? Those are the two that I would circle on this Seahawks roster as possibilities over the next few weeks before that March 3 deadline as guys that could be franchised. Olindo (would be) much cheaper. Last year, his salary was just around $2 million, so that is a number that this team could manage.
“The real question becomes Brandon Mebane. Defensive tackles, over $7 million to franchise him on a one-year deal. Are you willing to do that with Brandon Mebane? If I’m the Seahawks, I seriously consider that move.”
Brock also talked about the hiring of Jim Zorn as Kansas City’s new quarterbacks coach and what Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman plans to do in case of a lockout. You can listen to Blue 88 here.
