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SPORTSThursday 3 March 2016
Miller, Norman, Cousins, Berry franchise tagged
BARRY WILNER If they can’t — and most In this Jan. 10, 2016 file photo, Washington Redskins quarter- he was deemed cancer-
AP Pro Football Writer franchises are eager to back Kirk Cousins (8) passes the ball during the first half of an free last summer, and the
Where are the NFL All-Pros get these players locked NFL wild card playoff football game against the Green Bay 27-year-old Berry then had
without contracts going? up for several years — then Packers in Landover, Md. the best season of his six-
Nowhere, it appears. the salary for 2016 is deter- year career. A 2010 first-
Super Bowl most valuable mined by the tag designa- Associated Press round pick, Berry made 55
player Von Miller and fellow tion. solo tackles and two inter-
All-Pro players Josh Norman Cousins would earn the ceptions while providing
and Eric Berry were given most, $19.9 million, be- inspiration not only for the
franchise tags Tuesday, the cause quarterbacks have Chiefs, but for all athletes.
league’s deadline to do so. the highest tag number.
Tags govern players’ abil- Wilkerson would be next at Josh Norman, Carolina
ity to negotiate moves to $15.7 million. ($13.952 million) — The Pan-
other franchises. Miami decided against thers have seen Norman,
placing the franchise tag 28, develop into one of the
In all, nine players were on Vernon, and this year’s best cover men in the NFL.
slapped with the franchise transition number calls for Norman had four intercep-
tag and one, Dolphins de- defensive ends to receive tions in the first four games
fensive end Olivier Vernon, last season, returning two
got the transition tag.
Broncos linebacker Miller In this Feb. 7, 2016, file photo, Denver Broncos’ Von Miller (58)
was the only player to strips the ball from Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton (1) during
get the exclusive tag, at the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game, in Santa
$14.129 million, meaning no Clara, Calif.
other team can make him
an offer. Associated Press
Panthers cornerback Nor-
man and Chiefs safety $12.734 million. A transition es on losing the 26-year- In this Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015 file photo, Carolina Panthers cor-
Berry were among the tag allows the player to ne- old, regarded by many as nerback Josh Norman (24) runs back an interception against
eight who received non- gotiate with other teams, the best overall player in the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 30-yard touchdown during the
exclusive designations, so but his current club has the the NFL. second half of an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla.
other clubs can make of- right of first refusal to match “We’ve had productive
fers, but their current teams any offer. Should Vernon talks with Von’s represen- Associated Press
have the right to match or leave, there is no compen- tation, and we’ll continue
get compensated with two sation for Miami. those discussions with the Eric Berry, Kansas City for touchdowns, then quar-
first-round draft picks. Some highlights of dead- goal of making sure Von ($10.806 million) — The terbacks stopped throwing
line day: remains a Bronco well into Comeback Player of the his way. Opposing passers
Also getting tagged with Von Miller, Denver ($14.129 the future,” general man- Year, Berry was diagnosed had a league-worst 54.0
free agency set to begin million) —The Broncos ager John Elway said in a with lymphoma midway quarterback rating when
on March 9 were Redskins weren’t taking any chanc- statement. through the 2014 season throwing at Norman, who
quarterback Kirk Cousins, and immediately began expects to remain in Char-
Jets defensive end Mu- treatment. After going lotte.
hammad Wilkerson, Bears through chemotherapy,
receiver Alshon Jeffery,
Ravens placekicker Justin
Tucker, Bills tackle Cordy
Glenn and Rams corner-
back Trumaine Johnson.
The players have until July
15 to work out a long-term
contract with their teams.
Aroldis Chapman tives and MLB had been personnel.” Yankees host World Series serving his suspension and
discussing the discipline for With the Yankees, Chap- champion Kansas City. likely will work out at the
Continued from page 18 about 10 days. man forms a powerful back “We need him,” teammate Yankees’ minor league
A suspension of 46 days end of the bullpen along Alex Rodriguez said Tues- complex in Florida, but he
The decision to accept a or longer would have de- with former closer Andrew day before the suspension will not be permitted to
suspension, as opposed to layed his chance to be- Miller and Dellin Betances. was announced. play in any minor league
appealing one, was made come a free agent until af- Chapman can continue “He’s a big part of our games during that time.
after careful consideration. ter the 2017 season. to participate in all spring team, and I think the key Los Angeles Dodgers out-
I made this decision in an The players’ association training activities. The pen- in New York is you have to fielder Yasiel Puig is under
effort to minimize the dis- said it supported Chap- alty starts when the Yan- focus on the game, focus investigation by MLB for a
tractions that an appeal man’s decision to accept kees open the season April on your teammates, and I fight with a bouncer at a
would cause the Yankees, the penalty and said “its 4 at home against Hous- think he has a lot of support Miami bar in November fol-
my new teammates and members do not condone ton. Barring rainouts, he in that clubhouse.” lowing an argument with
most importantly, my fam- the mistreatment of others would be eligible to start Chapman will be allowed his sister.
ily.” by playing or non-playing his season May 9 when the to use team facilities while
Chapman’s representa-
