The Miami Dolphins placed the NFL franchise tag on defensive tackle Randy Starks on Monday, ensuring that the two-time Pro Bowler will remain with Miami for the 2013 season, according to Jason La Canfora.
Miami Dolphins place franchise tag on Randy Starks
The Miami Dolphins placed the franchise tag on Pro Bowl defensive tackle Randy Starks.
Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE
Starks will be well compensated compared to his peers, but he’s not going to be happy with the one-year deal. In the last 24 hours, Stark took to Twitter to air his hopes for a long-term deal.
Originally drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2004, Starks signed a five-year deal with the Dolphins prior to the 2008 season -- a deal worth just over $20 million. Starks appeared in 16 games in each of his first five seasons with the Dolphins, and was named to the 2010 and 2012 AFC Pro Bowl rosters.
In 2012, Starks recorded 27 tackles and 4.5 sacks, defended four passes and even recorded an interception.
As Kevin Nogle from The Phinsider surmised, the ability to retain Starks helps the run defense significantly:
Starks, meanwhile, made the Pro Bowl for the second time last year, and is a key member of the Dolphins’ run defense. He would cost $8.306 million to tag, and the Dolphins could follow the same pattern they used with defensive tackle Paul Soliai. The team franchise tagged him for the 2011 season, then signed him to a long term contract in 2012.
Even though Starks has been hit with the franchise tag, the two sides can still work toward a long-term contract extension, which could be in the best interest of both parties.
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