NFL notebook: 6 players get franchise tag

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deadline: San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould and five pass rushers from
around the NFL -- DeMarcus Lawrence, Jadeveon Clowney, Grady Jarrett, Frank
Clark and Dee Ford.

Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Lawrence, Houston Texans outside linebacker
Clowney, Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jarrett, Seattle Seahawks defensive
lineman Clark and Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Ford could all sign
long-term deals but their prospects for those riches vary.

Lawrence is reportedly perturbed by the repeat tag and has no intention to
report without a long-term deal in Dallas, while Ford could be traded for the
right offer, according to reports.

A non-exclusive tag means Clowney can talk to other teams, which would have to
give up two first-round picks as compensation if the Texans didn't match an
offer sheet, while both the 49ers and Falcons have been out front with their
position, which is to sign Gould and Jarrett to long-term contracts.

--According to multiple reports, the Baltimore Ravens released safety Eric
Weddle. The reported $7.5 million in cap space the team gains could be used to
sweeten an offer to linebacker C.J. Mosley as he prepares to enter free
agency.

Last month, the Ravens agreed to trade quarterback Joe Flacco to the Denver
Broncos to free up a reported $10.5 million in cap space.

Weddle, 34, signed a four-year, $26 million contract with the Ravens before
the 2016 season after spending nine seasons with the Chargers. He made the Pro
Bowl in all three seasons in Baltimore.

--The New York Giants did not use their franchise tag on safety Landon
Collins, setting the 25-year-old, three-time Pro Bowl selection free and onto
the open market.

The four-year pro can become an unrestricted free agent when the new NFL year
begins March 13. A franchise tag would have guaranteed Collins a one-year,
$11.15 million deal.

Collins has led the Giants in tackles in each of his four seasons after being
selected in the second round (33rd overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Other roster news of note:

--New England did not use the franchise tag on any player, making defensive
end Trey Flowers one of the top free agents hitting the market.

--The Arizona Cardinals have cut veteran linebacker Josh Bynes, ESPN's Adam
Schefter reported, clearing more than $1.8 million from Arizona's salary cap.

--The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have re-signed left tackle Donovan Smith to a
three-year deal worth a reported $41 million.

--The Chicago Bears released linebacker Sam Acho after the 30-year-old was
limited to just four games because of a torn pectoral muscle.

--The Texans released 2015 first-round pick Kevin Johnson after concussions
and head injuries limited him to 13 games the past two seasons.

--The Los Angeles Rams reportedly did not exercise their 2019 option on center
John Sullivan and released linebacker Mark Barron, reportedly clearing more
than $13 million in cap space.

--NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the Chiefs have begun negotiating a
long-term, "record-setting" extension with wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

--The Philadelphia Eagles reportedly restructured the contract of offensive
tackle Lane Johnson, converting his base salary into signing bonuses allocated
over multiple years to free up cap space.

--The Indianapolis Colts re-signed defensive lineman Margus Hunt, preventing
him from becoming an unrestricted free agent later this month.

--According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Oakland Raiders finalized an
agreement on a one-year lease with the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum that would
keep them in Northern California in 2019 before they officially move to Las
Vegas in 2020.

But it is not known when the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Authority Board
Commissioners will vote on whether to approve the agreement.

--Former NFL tight end Kellen Winslow II was jailed without bail Monday,
accused of new charges of lewd conduct against a 77-year-old woman at a
Carlsbad, Calif., gym last month while out on bail on charges of kidnapping
and rape.

Winslow II, 35, was out on $2 million bond while facing trial next month on
multiple counts of kidnapping and rape of two transient women, charges that
were brought last June. If convicted on those charges, Winslow II could face
life in prison.

--Field Level Media