Steelers expected to use franchise tag on Hampton

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Steelers might be concerned about having an unhappy Pro Bowl nose tackle on their roster next season. But, apparently, they are more concerned about making sure they at least have a nose tackle.

The Steelers are trying to work out a long-term deal to keep Casey Hampton from becoming an unrestricted free agent, but they will use the franchise tag on the five-time Pro Bowl selection if they can't, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has learned.

The Steelers have until Thursday to place the franchise tag on Hampton, a designation that would keep him with the team for at least one more season and guarantee him the average salary of the top five defensive tackles in the National Football League. In 2009, that average was $7,003,000, according to the NFL Players Association -- a figure not much more than the $6,652,000 Hampton counted against the salary cap last year.

The Steelers then could attempt to sign the 10-year veteran to a long-term contract, much like they did last season when they named left tackle Max Starks their franchise player and eventually signed him to a four-year, $26.3 million contract that included a $10 million signing bonus.

Hampton, who will be 33 in September, has indicated to the Steelers that he does not want to have the franchise tag placed on him. But the Steelers do not want to lose him because he is still a productive player -- he was named to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl this season -- and they do not have a young replacement behind him.

If the Steelers place the franchise tag on him, such a move likely would impact what they do in the NFL draft, a process that begins Thursday, when the NFL Scouting Combine gets under way at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts. With no immediate need for a nose tackle -- arguably the most important position in the 3-4 defense -- the Steelers might decide to use the 18th overall pick to select an inside linebacker who would eventually replace James Farrior, who turned 35 in January.

Hampton will be in the final year of a five-year, $22.75 million contract he signed in 2005. The Steelers could elect to put the exclusive franchise tag on him, which would prohibit him from negotiating with other teams. Or they could deem him a non-exclusive franchise player, which means he could negotiate with other teams and the Steelers would receive two first-round picks in return if he signed elsewhere and they did not match the offer.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10055/1038123-66.stm#ixzz0gVf3EZ5a