Tyvon Branch gets Oakland Raiders’ franchise tag, will earn $6.2 million in 2012 – NFL News
In an attempt to keep safety, Tyvon Branch, away from being acquired by any other franchise of the National Football League (NFL), Oakland Raiders have placed their franchise tag on the player to keep him with the team for at least one year.
After receiving the tag, Branch will earn $6.2 million in 2012 and could also get a new contract from the franchise later in the year.
Branch started his professional NFL career in 2008 with the Raiders. Apart from his rookie year where he only played eight games without starting any, he has been playing as the regular starter.
In 2009, he recorded his career-best 124 tackles. The next year, he had 104 tackles to his name while in the last NFL season, he registered 109 tackles.
Raiders’ general manager, Reggie McKenzie, also appreciated Branch’s performance and was pleased to assign him the tag.
The general manager said:
“We are pleased that Tyvon will return to the Raiders in 2012.”
Raiders could also have extended Branch’s contract or opted to let him go, but the franchise used the third option by tagging him.
This development implies that Raiders want him for more years to come and it will not be surprising to see the franchise and the player joining hands for long period of time after agreeing to a new deal within the next few months.
The franchise tag is only placed to keep the player off the free market, where other potential suitors will certainly bid high to acquire Branch’s services.
McKenzie’s remarks also suggest that Raiders want the player for a long period of time. He said:
“Tyvon is a talented, productive player who we hope will be wearing the Silver and Black for many years to come. We will continue to work on a long-term deal to make that happen.”
Earlier, Philadelphia Eagles also used the same strategy and offered to tag their wide receiver DeSean Jackson for one year and hoped for extending the contract later this year.
Meanwhile, Branch is yet to comment on this development, but different reports have suggested that he would be pleased after receiving the tag and would certainly want an extended stay at the franchise.
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