B4 THE NEWS-ENTERPRISE SPORTS TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2012 NFL Wide receivers Welker,Bowe get franchise tags By BARRY WILNER Titans tag Griffin as franchise player announcement. Finnegan called Griffin next up as 2012 back Matt Forte, Philadel- AP Pro Football Writer captain and congratulated him on Twitter. phia Eagles receiver De- Sean Jackson, San Fran-cis- NEW YORK — It pays By TERESA M. WALKER By tagging Griffin, the Titans are on target to return AP Sports Writer co 49ers safety Dashon to play a skill position in both starting safeties. The Titans have been talking with Goldson, Washin-ton Red- the NFL, like New Orleans NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans have Jordan Babineaux but can’t sign the veteran to a new quarterback Drew Brees, or deal until after free agency opens. skins tight end Fred Davis, tagged safety Michael Griffin as their franchise player. Arizona Cardinals defen- receivers Wes Welker and The Titans announced the move Monday a couple The Titans have much more depth at cornerback with sive end Calais Campbell, Dwayne Bowe. hours before the NFL deadline to use the tag. That Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner having started Oakland Ra-ders safety It also pays to be a kick- means the Titans decided not to tag cornerback Cortland and Chris Hawkins, Ryan Mouton and Tommie Tyvon Branch, and Atlanta er, as five placekickers and Finnegan before free agency begins March 13. Campbell also at the position. one punter were given fran- The move to tag Griffin still allows the Titans to work The 6-foot Griffin is a two-time Pro Bowler, the last in Falcons cornerback Brent chise tags, protecting their on a long-term contract before July 16 with the safety 2010 when he led the team with four interceptions and Grimes. current teams from losing who was their first-round draft pick in 2007 out of Texas. ranked second on the team with a career-high 153 tack- Free agency begins them without compensa- Griffin was due to become an unrestricted free agent les. In 2011, he ranked third with 96 tackles and tied for March 13. tion. March 13. Another team could sign Griffin to a contract, the team lead with two interceptions. For his career, Houston signed star run- The NFL’s deadline for but the franchise tag allows the Titans to either match the Griffin has started 73-of-80 games played, and he has 17 ning back Arian Foster to a applying the tags was contract or be awarded two No. 1 draft picks. career interceptions with seven forced fumbles and four new five-year deal worth Monday afternoon, and a “Tag your it,” Griffin wrote on Twitter after the Titans’ fumbles recovered. up to $43.5 million, with late flurry saw 10 players $20.75 million guaranteed. added to the list. In all, 21 based on the average of the was tagged by New franchise designation al- placekicker Doug Prater, He’ll make $18 million players were tagged. five highest-paid players at England and Bowe by lows both sides more time Tampa Bay placekicker next season, plus incen- Only Brees, the 2011 the position as of April 20. Kansas City. Welker, who to try to reach an agree- Connor Barth and Jackson- tives. Associated Press Offensive For players given the non- led the league with 122 re- ment, which is the goal. ville placekicker Josh Buffalo hung on to its Player of the Year, was exclusive tag, the new ceptions, and Bowe will Wes remains a contractual Scobee. top receiver, Stevie John- made an exclusive fran- salary is based on the five earn about $9.5 million in priority and we are hopeful The other placekickers son, who got a five-year, chise player, meaning he is highest-paid players at their 2012 if they don’t reach that he will remain a Patriot tagged were Cleveland’s $36.25 million contract ex- not free to sign with anoth- position in 2011. new, longer deals with their for years to come.” Phil Dawson and Cincin- er team. The Saints will Naturally, the average teams. Also tagged Monday nati’s Mike Nugent last tension. continue negotiations on a salary for quarterbacks in- “Wes Welker is a re- were Dallas Cowboys line- week. “I want to do all I can to long-term contract for the creases every year. markable football player backer Anthony Spencer, Mathis agreed to a long- make sure and let them record-setting quarterback. The other 20 players for our team and has been a Detroit Lions defensive end term deal minutes after he know they didn’t make a But Brees is in line to could move to new teams, vital component to our of- Cliff Avril, Indianapolis was tagged. mistake,” Johnson said. “I earn well over the $14.4 but compensation would fense and special teams Colts defensive end Robert Also previously tagged want to make sure they million base salary for a be two first-round draft since we traded for him in Mathis, and several kickers: were Baltimore Ravens look good. This is where I non-exclusive tag because choices. 2007,” the Patriots said in a New York Giants punter running back Ray Rice, started, and I wanted to re- his 2012 salary will be All-Pro receiver Welker statement. “Utilizing the Steve Weatherford, Denver Chicago Bears running main loyal to them.” Tebow’s appearance at Vegas church draws 20,000 The Associated Press Ridge Christian Church over the weekend who holds it.’ I know what my rock is. I to strike the prayer pose during their inter- to hear Denver Broncos quarterback Tim know who’s holding my future.” This weekend, the view-style talks on the church stage. LAS VEGAS — Tebow share about faith and football. Tebow has attracted immense media long lines, huge crowds and jersey-clad “One of the reasons I get on a knee is “You get bashed against the rocks some- scrutiny for his unconventional throwing because that’s a form of humbling your- sports fans in Las Vegas were jockeying for times,” Tebow said Sunday at one of the style and his outspoken Christian faith. a chance to get into church. church’s four weekend services. “But His routine of dropping to a knee after a self,” Tebow explained. “I want to humble An estimated 20,000 people, including when you have a relationship with Christ touchdown has evolved into a cultural myself before the Lord and say thank you one family that arrived at 4 a.m. Saturday ... one of my favorite quotes is, ‘I don’t phenomenon dubbed “Tebowing.” He for this opportunity. Thank you for letting to be the first in line, showed up at Canyon know what my future holds, but I know coached senior pastor Kevin Odor on how me play the game I love.” FIND AN AD Agricultural Real Estate Employment Odds & Ends TO PLACE AN AD Farm Equipment . 060 Apartments for Rent . 120 Business Opportunities . 100 Items Wanted . 195 769-1200 ext. 8601 Farmers Market . 061 Auctions . 050 Education . 093 Legal Notices . 300 Feed, Seed & Hay . 059 Commercial Property . 122 Employment . 095 Legal Services . 007 Horses . 057 Lots & Acreage . 132 Employment Wanted . 096 Loans . 008 Job Training . 094 Lost Items . 020 Lawn & Garden . 046 Mobile Home Lots Merchandise Memory . 012 Reader (line) Ads E-mail Your Ad Livestock . 058 & Parks . 105 Distributors . 098 Miscellaneous Items . 085 WHEN TO CALL Machinery & Tools . 048 Mobile Home Rentals . 110 Sporting Goods FOR ADS APPEARING: CALL BY 3:30 PM: [email protected] Pet Services . 056 Manufactured Jewelry Wednesday . 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