Bengals Tag Graham As Franchise Player

The Bengals have tagged placekicker Shayne Graham as their franchise player, a move that gives the eight-year veteran the option to sign a one-year deal with Cincinnati for a salary equal to the average of the five highest-paid kickers from last season.

By: Associated Press | NBC4i.com
Published: February 17, 2009

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CINCINNATI -- The Bengals have tagged placekicker Shayne Graham as their franchise player, a move that gives the eight-year veteran the option to sign a one-year deal with Cincinnati for a salary equal to the average of the five highest-paid kickers from last season.

Graham's 85.6 percent career field goal accuracy ranks fourth all-time in the NFL. He holds several Bengals kicking records, including consecutive field goals (21), season field goal percentage (91.2) and consecutive points-after-touchdown (158).

Coach Marvin Lewis says the Bengals and Graham will continue negotiating a long-term deal.

Graham is due to become a free agent Feb. 27. The franchise-player designation means the Bengals can either retain him by matching any offer made by another team, or allow Graham to sign with that team in exchange for two first-round draft picks.