Eagles put franchise tag on TE Smith

Feb 7, 2008 - 11:18 PM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday placed their franchise tag on tight end L.J. Smith.

Smith would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency on February 29.

But with Smith, 27, now under the "franchise" tag, the Eagles have seven days to match any contract offers from other teams. If they do not match a potential offer, the Eagles would receive two first-round draft choices as compensation.

Philadelphia likely will re-sign Smith to a one-year contract equivalent to the average salary of the top five highest-paid players at his position in the NFL. That figure is $4,522,000.

Philadelphia's primary tight end since 2005, Smith told the Philadelphia Inquirer's web site that he would prefer a long-term deal with the Eagles.

"Any player wants a long-term deal, that's what you want - to feel secure in your job and in your family's position," Smith told the newspaper. "I'm OK with it right now, but I definitely would have preferred a long-term deal.

"I didn't even think I would get this. Maybe they (agent Brian Mackler and the Eagles) can get something worked out later on."

The 6-3 Smith has spent his entire five-year career with the Eagles, collecting 194 receptions for 2,227 yards and 15 touchdowns.

However, Smith was hampered by knee and groin injuries throughout the 2007 season and appeared in just 10 games, finishing with career lows of 22 catches for 236 yards.

"L.J. Smith has been a very productive tight end in our offense," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "He is healthy and working his tail off so he can have a very successful 2008 season."

"I understand why I didn't get a long-term deal," Smith told the Inquirer. "I wasn't able to perform at a high level for a majority of the season and I didn't even finish the season healthy. From a business standpoint, I definitely understand why I didn't get a long-term deal."