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Ramsdude
LinkTagging season in the NFL has officially arrived.
Beginning this week, all 32 clubs have the opportunity to tag one player with the exclusive franchise tag, non-exclusive franchise tag or the transition tag.
The franchise tag is essentially a one-year guaranteed contract with a predetermined salary — one that is in line with some of the highest paid players in the league. The Rams currently have 14 players on track to become unrestricted free agents, including five of their starters from the 2017 season. And Los Angeles will have until March 6 to tag one of its upcoming free agents.
But before the two-week period is up, here’s a look at who the Rams have placed the franchise tag on in the past:
2016 and 2017 — CB Trumaine Johnson
In 2016, the Rams used the franchise tag for the first time since 2009 placing Johnson under the non-exclusive designation. Then, the Montana product played under the same tag for a second season last year — becoming the first defensive back to receive consecutive franchise tags since Charles Woodson in 2004 and 2005.
Through six seasons with the Rams, Johnson has recorded 328 tackles, 67 pass deflections, and 18 interceptions, with three returned for a touchdown.
2009 — S Oshiomogho Atogwe
Selected by the Rams in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft, Atogwe spent six seasons with the franchise. The Stanford product recorded a team-leading eight interceptions in 2007 and five interceptions in 2008, leading the club to place him under the franchise tag for the 2009 season. While the Rams signed him to a five-year contract in 2010, he was released in the following offseason.
2003, 2004, and 2005 — LT Orlando Pace
Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016, Pace has one of the most decorated careers of any former Rams player — including seven Pro Bowl appearances, three first team All-Pro designations, and one Super Bowl Championship. The Rams drafted Pace with the No. 1 overall pick in 1997. And from 1997 to 2001, Pace started in every game, blocking for three-straight AP NFL MVP’s (Kurt Warner in 1999, 2001 and Marshall Faulk in 2000).
After missing six games during the 2002 season due to injury, the Ohio State product played under the franchise tag for three consecutive seasons before signing a multi-year extension in 2005.
2001 — DE Kevin CarterCarter spent six seasons with the Rams from 1995-2000. But his best season came in 1999 when he tallied a career-high 17.0 sacks — becoming the first defensive end to represent the franchise in a Pro Bowl since Jack Youngblood in 1979. He was also an AP All-Pro selection and finished out the year as a Super Bowl XXXIV Champion.
Following his standout season, Carter played under the franchise tag during his final year with the Rams in 2001.
1998 — CB Ryan McNeil
Following four seasons with the Lions, McNeil was declared a free agent and chose to sign with the Rams in 1997. At the end of the year, he led the NFL with nine interceptions and recorded 78 tackles. This prompted the club to place him under the franchise tag for the 1998 season, which he finished with just one interception and 54 tackles.
