Vikings Franchise Tag Chad Greenway

[Elite]

The Minnesota Vikings have used their franchise tag on linebacker Chad Greenway, the team announced Monday.

Greenway, who led the team with 144 tackles this season, is seen by the Vikings as a centerpiece of a defense facing offseason changes.

The five-year veteran has started 62 of the 64 games he's played in since the Vikings drafted him in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft.

"Chad’s an important part of our team and his play speaks for itself,” Vikings coach Leslie Frazier told the team's official site. “He’s productive and has continued to improve each year he has been in the NFL. He’s a leader for us in the locker room and on the field."

With the Vikings placing the franchise tag on Greenway, the team will look at other methods of retaining key free agents. A team source indicated that the club has not given up on trying to sign wide receiver Sidney Rice to an extension prior to March 4.

However, as we have been reporting, the Vikings anticipate defensive end Ray Edwards to become a free agent whenever the new league year begins. The team is not hopeful about retaining him.

The team does not intend to use the transition tag for now, according to a league source.

As the Vikings' designated franchise player, Greenway is set to be tendered a one-year guaranteed contract that will pay him 120 percent of last year’s salary or the average of the top five highest-paid linebackers, whichever is higher.

The NFL Players Association has rejected the use of the franchise tag, and it remains to be seen whether or not it will be a part of the next collective bargaining agreement, although many expect it to be.

Huge for the Vikes, one of the top 4-3 OLB's in the league. I kinda get the feeling that Sidney won't stay though, he just doesn't seem like the type of guy to show loyalty, whereas Greenway does, I'm not sure why I think that, just do

 

[kam.]

Huge for the Vikes, one of the top 4-3 OLB's in the league. I kinda get the feeling that Sidney won't stay though, he just doesn't seem like the type of guy to show loyalty, whereas Greenway does, I'm not sure why I think that, just do

How does this show Greenway shows loyalty?

 

[Elite]

How does this show Greenway shows loyalty?

I never said it did....

 

[kam.]

I mean like, how does Greenway show loyalty, but Rice doesnt? If he wasn't tagged, Greenway would of walked.

 

[Mooche]

Greenway is pretty damn big in the Vikings defense. They needed this.

They also need a defensive back.. Chris Cook isn't the answer.

 

[Elite]

I never said either of them showed loyalty, I just get a feeling of loyalty from Greenway that I don't get from Sidney, considering Sidney was upset about the lack of a long-term deal last season

I don't think Greenway would of walked, I think the Vikings would have gave him his money

 

[kam.]

I never said either of them showed loyalty, I just get a feeling of loyalty from Greenway that I don't get from Sidney, considering Sidney was upset about the lack of a long-term deal last season

I don't think Greenway would of walked, I think the Vikings would have gave him his money

Greenway could of been on a way better team and got paid at the same time. I would of walked.

 

[Mooche]

Can't say that I wouldn't have thought about walking to a contender, too...

 

[Rice18]

FTMFW.