Lions place franchise tag on DT Redding

Feb 22, 2007 - 8:41 PM ALLEN PARK, Michigan (Ticker) -- The Detroit Lions beat a deadline Thursday by deciding to place the franchise tag on defensive tackle Cory Redding.

Teams had until 3 p.m. EST Thursday to designate eligible free agents as franchise or transition players.

Players that are named as franchise players automatically get tendered the average salary of the top five players at their position or 20 percent above their previous salary, whichever is greater. A transition player gets the average of the top 10 salaries at his position.

Redding automatically receives a one-year tender worth $6.8 million, the average salary of the top five players at his position. If another team signs Redding, the Lions have the right to match any offer or receive two first-round picks.

Redding, 26, was one of the few bright spots for the Lions last season, recording a career-high eight sacks in 16 games.

A 2003 second-round pick, Redding has registered 12 sacks in 57 career games.