Should the Jets Give Out the Franchise Tag?

Dec 8, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets general manager John Idzik before the game against the Oakland Raiders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Here we are, approximately three weeks from the start of the free agency period. It’s nearly that time again, to start looking at cap casualties, and other players that teams have said goodbye to, in hopes of improving our own team.

Time for John Idzik to get to work.

It’s also time to look at our own roster, and make decisions there as well. There are sixteen guys that are going to be unrestricted free agents. We know about the “franchise tag”. The question is, should any of the 16 players be given the tag, or should the Jets not assign one this season?

Here are the Jets’ unrestricted free agents, as listed on the team website:

QB — David Garrard

RB — Lex Hilliard,  Darius Reynaud

WR — Josh Cribbs

TE — Jeff Cumberland, Kellen Winslow

OL — Willie Colon, Vlad Ducasse, Austin Howard

DL— Leger Douzable

LB — Josh Mauga,  Calvin Pace

DB — Aaron Berry, Ellis Lankster, Ed Reed

K — Nick Folk

So, who do you guys think the Jets should tag, if anyone?  In my opinion, there are only two guys on this list worth talking about with regards to a possible franchise tag:

NICK FOLK: What can we say about the “Folk Hero” that hasn’t already been said?  He went perfect for most of the season before finally missing a field goal attempt.  He connected on multiple game-winning field goals, including one against the hated New England Patriots.

For the season, he was 33-36 in field goals, for a career best percentage of 91.7%.  His season overall was huge, with his point total finishing at 126.  Maybe this is the year that the Jets do like other teams and put the tag on their kicker…..

But then again, kickers are a dime a dozen.  Teams replace kickers as quickly as they replace kicking tees and footballs.  Should the Jets commit additional funds to a kicker when they could sign another and pay them minimally?

AUSTIN HOWARD: The other potential designee is starting right tackle, Austin Howard.  He is only 26 years old, and getting better by the snap.  He has the classic build of a tackle on any offensive line, at 6’7″, 333 pounds.  Austin came into the league as an already terrific run blocker, and his pass blocking has improved over his two seasons with the team.  Should the Jets “franchise” a young guy that could anchor the line for years to come?

Or, do they let a guy hit the market, who hasn’t reached his full potential yet?  Do the Jets bank on the idea that they will be able to win him over in the end?

So, what do you guys think?  Please vote in the poll below, and sound off in the comments:

To whom should the Jets apply the franchise tag?

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