[jppaul]

With an uncapped year looming for 2010, everyone will be playing under an entirely different set of rules.

One rule creates a situation that makes it appear as if this year's franchised players have taken two steps forward and one back.
Franchise-tag recap
An NFL-record 14 players were franchise tagged this year. Adam Schefter breaks down the complete list, which includes Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers. More ...

» Panthers tag Peppers, re-sign Gross
» Schefter: Boldin's change of heart?

This offseason, franchise tags were handed out to unrestricted free agents Darren Sproles, Brandon Jacobs, Matt Cassel, Dunta Robinson, O.J. Atogwe, Leroy Hill, and Michael Koenen.

Each of these players completed their fourth year last season. But the collective bargaining agreement that eliminates the salary cap in 2010, also says that players do not get to become unrestricted free agents until their sixth season.

Thus, seven unrestricted free agents that were designated franchise players this offseason will revert back to be restricted free agents next offseason.

Now it's not entirely bad. The collective bargaining agreement says these franchised players will be entitled to a 10 percent raise in 2010. But they will not be allowed to become unrestricted free agents.

How odd, going from an unrestricted free agent to a restricted one. It is one of the many new rules to a different game the NFL will be playing.

Basically, what all this means is that Dunta could be Franchised this year, and then next year he would be an restricted free agent who could be tendered the top tender (which is significantly less than the franchise tag) like 2 million or something, then could franchised again at the standard average of top 5 corners, then he could be franchised again at a 20% pay increase, basically he wouldn't be eligible for free agency and a big contract until 2012 or four years away.

2009: Franchise (Avg. 5 highest)
2010: RFA (Highest tender)
2011: Franchise (Avg. 5 highest)
2012: Franchise (Avg. 5 highest + 20%).

Dunta is 26 right now, 27 before the season starts and could be 31 before he ever sniffs free agency, i.e. gets his big contract.