The 4:00 p.m. deadline later today that prohibits players that got franchise tagged from signing a long-term deal until after the season is quickly approaching. That's bad news for the Lions because it means time left to sign Cory Redding to a long-term deal is running out. If the deadline passes and no contract is agreed to, Redding can only be signed to a 1-year contract. That would mean he becomes a free agent after the 2007 season and will probably leave Detroit.
Don't start hitting the panic button just yet, as Mike O'Hara of The Detroit News reports that negotiations are continuing and a deal is getting closer to being worked out.
The Lions and Redding's agent, Kennard McGuire, have been negotiating a long-term contract. A source close to the negotiations said Saturday the two sides were "close" to an agreement, but there is no certainty a deal can be struck before the deadline.
All I can say is that the Lions better lock Redding up right now or he will be playing for another team in 2008. Had it not been for the franchise tag, Redding would've been able to test the free agent waters and probably would've found a new home with a pretty nice contract to accompany him. With the franchise tag over his head, Redding instead will be forced to play at least 1 more season in Detroit unless a deal is agreed to by 4:00.
Stay tuned for updates.