Before the 49ers applied the franchise tag to kicker Robbie Gould
Justin Reid Jersey , the working title of this item was “One week later, no tags applied.” Since then, the title changed — and the point did as well.I was going to write that the two-week window for applying the franchise tag is a waste of time, and that there should be one and only one specific day on which tags can be applied. But then the 49ers applied their tag a full week before the day that I was going to suggest be the one day for doing so, and I realized the value of it.With a true sense of uncertainty as to whether the 49ers would tag a kicker (Ross Tucker once invited a social-media body slam from Pat McAfee by suggesting that no punter deserves the implication that goes along with the label “franchise tag”), with Gould openly discussing whether he’d be interested in returning to Chicago
Martinas Rankin Jersey , and with the NFL’s annual tampering convention starting tomorrow in Indianapolis (more on that subject later), it was smart for the 49ers to hang a giant “off limits” placard on Gould, making it clear that teams are wasting their time in discussing general or specific interest in signing the kicker while meeting with agents over the next week.For most of the other potential franchise tag recipients (primarily, Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark, Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford
Jordan Akins Jersey , and Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney), a similar move isn’t needed because it’s widely expected. Still, if the tag is coming anyway — and since the deadline for doing a long-term deal doesn’t arrive until July 15 — there’s no harm in making it completely clear that any team is wasting its time by talking to the agent for a free agent who won’t be free to leave.That still doesn’t mean two weeks are needed. There should still be only one day, and the one day (as the 49ers have shown) should be the day before the Combine begins. HOUSTON (AP) — A high school hit hard by Hurricane Harvey is getting a new playing surface thanks to the Houston Texans.The Texans said Monday that they’re donating the turf they played on at NRG Stadium last season to C.E. King High School after its field was destroyed in flooding from Harvey, which hit the area last August.“These guys get to go out there every day and know that they’re playing on something that J.J. Watt played on,” King coach Derek Fitzhenry said. “Of course
Keke Coutee Jersey , that’s everybody’s favorite player, so it’s exciting.”Fitzhenry and several members of the team were guests of the Texans at practice on Monday, and Watt spoke to the group for a few minutes before posing for pictures with them.“It means a lot to me to play on a field the Texans played on,” senior linebacker Rodrick Crumedy said. “I’ve never even stepped on an NFL field, so stepping on one every day will mean a lot to me.”Students at the high school had to attend classes in an elementary school last year because of damage from the flooding, and much of the team’s equipment and facilities were lost. Almost a year later
Deshaun Watson Jersey , the team is excited about a fresh start this season on its fancy albeit gently used turf.“These guys have really come through that struggle really well,” Fitzhenry said. “A lot of that stuff is behind us now and we’re excited for this year.”Before Watt spent time with the guys, several other players stopped by to chat with them on their way off the field after practice. Linebacker Benardrick McKinney encouraged them to work hard and wished them luck on their season. Safety Tyrann Mathieu smiled broadly as he autographed miniature helmets for the players.“Any time we can reach out to the high schools and help them out in the ways that we do — we do a great job headed by (Texans president) Jamey Rootes and his crew,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “They do a great job with community relations and I think the high school football is a big part of that.”