Jared Cook wants to be classified as a receiver if the Tennessee Titans decide to use the franchise tag on him, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Friday on "NFL Total Access." Cook would be the first tight end to earn that distinction and both he and the NFLPA are prepared to make the case, a source with knowledge of Cook's plans told Rapoport. The franchise tag for a wide receiver ($10.537 million) is worth more than $4 million more than that of a tight end ($6.066 million). Cook and the union certainly will have percentages and package examples to state their case. The decision could set a precedent for future versatile tight ends. Source: NFL.com
I would also like to be called a WR next time I am in contract negotiations. Im up for a raise pretty soon here, I think I'll give it a shot.
If settle for the designation of Kicker the next time in get "tagged" at work. Back to Cook...if the guy is spread out 70% of the time...I guess technically he could be called a WR. It's definitely a gray area. Just like a DE/OLB designation...
what are his stats? If they are around the 60-80 catch, 1000 yards and around 8 touchdowns then yes he is a receiver and should get paid as so. If it is 50 catches for 800 yards and touchdowns in the red zone then no, you are a tight end and therefore entitled to less money.
cook only lined up at TE on 21% of his snaps in 2012. however, he's not a very impactful player and i can't see the titans tagging him at $10 mill. he's nowhere near worth that. in fact, he's probably not worth $6 mill so i'm not sure i understand that either.
What about Tony Gonzalez? 93 receptions, 930 yards and 8 TD's @ $4.9 million. What would he really be worth to the Falcons though? I agree it's where they line you up for the MAJORITY of the snaps while you're on the field. Always been neutral on the owners vs. players issue and the CBA. But it seems like players are just never satisfied with what their own union has set up. Just pay a guy what he's worth in terms of productivity. Cook worth WR money? Let him try free agency and see if someone will pay him $11+ million for his services.
Tony should be thought of as a receiving tight end. You don't put up the records he has by being a blockiing tight end. Same as Jimmy Graham when his contract comes up. He is mostly a passing tight end that can occasionally block well. He should get receiver money.
hes hardly worth TE tag money as hes not even close to being a top 5 TE, which is what the tag is...money of the average top 5 highest paid for one year WR money is laughable since he doesnt have the impact of a WR regardless of where he lines up. At least suggs had the production of a DE when he wanted to drop the OLB ranking. Now if Jimmy Graham wants to be a WR...he may have a case