The Jacksonville Jaguars are trying to figure out a way to sign kicker Josh Scobee to a long term deal. The team placed the franchise tag on Scobee and has until July 16 to work out a long term deal, else Scobee will have to play under the franchise tag for the 2012 season, that is if he signs the franchise tag which he's yet to do.
Tania Ganguli of The Florida Times-Union explains why not coming to a long term deal can actually harm the chances of the Jaguars reaching a long term deal with Scobee.
Scobee's frustration with the team after having to play one season under the tag could sour him to a multi-year deal starting in 2013. Remember, punter Adam Podlesh, a close friend of Scobee's, left Jacksonville with some animosity toward the franchise. The Jaguars could then tag Scobee at $3.45 million (120 percent of this year's tag) and force him to remain in Jacksonville one more year. But after that the price to tag him skyrockets.
Under this collective bargaining agreement, the third time a non-quarterback is franchised, he gets the average salary of the top-five quarterbacks from the previous year. By 2014 that could be about $18 million. As in, no chance any team pays a kicker that.
The Jaguars have had trouble with the specialists lately it seems, as the team has also yet to sign third-round pick punter Bryan Anger.
For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars visit SB Nation's NFL page as well as Jaguars blog Big Cat Country.