Last night, a reader tipped us off to the fact that Eagles kicker David Akers had posted on his Facebook page that he’ll be receiving the transition tag -- and that quarterback Mike Vick will get the franchise tag.
We’ve confirmed this morning that this is indeed the case. (Also reporting it, and beating us to the punch on Twitter, was Jason La Canfora of NFL Network. Beating both of us, as to Vick, was ESPN’s Adam Schefter.)
Under the rules of the uncapped year, teams could apply two transition tags or one franchise tag and one transition tag. In capped years under the current labor deal, teams could use one franchise tag or one transition tag.
Depending on the rules of the new CBA, whenever those rules may be determined, the Eagles may be forced to rescind one of those two tags.
Don’t be shocked if the union ultimately argues that the decision to apply two tags renders both void if the eventual rules permit only one or the other.
And don’t be shocked if the Eagles have taken steps to ensure that the franchise tag on Vick would survive, and that the transition tag on Akers would be abandoned.
The transition tag give the Eagles the ability to match any offer Akers eventually receives, once free agency begins. It provides no compensation for the Eagles if Akers chooses to sign with another team. In exchange, the Eagles are required to tender Akers a one-year deal for the average salary of the ten highest-paid kickers and punters in 2010.
The transition tag has been use less frequently in recent years, given that the 2006 extension of the labor deal made the transition tender fully guaranteed once it’s accepted by the player.
The team’s decision to tag Vick was fully expected and comes as no surprise. Whether Vick is pleased with that decision remains to be seen.
UPDATE: The Eagles officially have announced both moves.