Newz Forum: FOOTBALL: Pace is Rams' franchise player

The St. Louis Rams informed left tackle Orlando Pace that he will be given the franchise designation for the third consecutive season.

Pace, who fired his agent, Carl Poston, during the season, is still in the process of finding a new agent. He had been talking to Tom Condon of IMG and Rocky Arceneaux, but he has not announced who will negotiate his contract.

By giving Pace the franchise tag, the Rams must increase the price of last year's designation by 120 percent to $8,425,100 in the form of a one-year tender. Both sides have until March 15 to reach a long-term deal and still allow the Rams the chance to regain the franchise tag for next season.

If no deal is reached by mid-March, then negotiations will cease until the summer. After July 15, the two sides can start talking about a long-term deal without the team losing the ability to franchise for the length of that deal.

Pace, 29, becomes the third player this week to be tagged. He joins Jets defensive end John Abraham and Eagles defensive tackle Corey Simon as players who have been tagged. About a dozen or more players are expected to receive the franchise or transition tags.

ESPN

Orlando Pace's days as the franchise player of the St. Louis Rams might be coming to an end

Days before a Wednesday deadline to get a long-term contract with the Rams, Pace and his new agent, Kennard McGuire, flew to Houston on Monday to visit the Texans. Their goal: to facilitate a trade that would end his eight-year career as the Rams' left tackle.

The Rams have franchised Pace for three consecutive years. Under terms of that designation, the Rams have until Wednesday to work out a long-term contract and regain the ability to franchise a player in 2006. Any long agreement reached between Wednesday and July 15 would cost St. Louis its franchise tag for the length of that contract.

3 years in a row designated as the franchise player. they really don't want to let him go!

source

ESPN