OL Andrews Gets the Franchise Tag

Posted by Matt Loede on February 18th, 2008 filed in News

The Bengals today took a step towards keeping offensive lineman Stacy Andrews, as they placed the franchise tag on him. Head coach Marvin Lewis gave props to the big lineman. “Stacy has been a productive young player for us,” Lewis said. “He has shown the flexibility to start and play well at a number of different positions on our line. This move helps us keep our core players together, and it gives us an opportunity to continue negotiating for a longer- term contract with Stacy.”

As far as the deal goes, Andrews has the option to play for Cincinnati next season for a salary equal to the average of the top five offensive linemen in the NFL. Andrews will be a fifth-year NFL player in 2008. The Bengals will also have the option to match any offer that any team gives him.

If the Bengals do allow him to go elsewhere, which now is highly unlikely, they would get two first round draft picks. Last season Andrews moved around, playing in every game with 14 starts. He started the first three games at left guard, but later replaced injured Willie Anderson at right tackle.