Mailbag: A note on RFA tenders NFL Nation Blog ESPN With NFL free agency set to begin Tuesday, David of Colorado Springs brings up a fair point: "Why haven't we heard much about RFA tenders this year?" David specifically wants to know how it relates to the Detroit Lions, who need to shave more than $11 million in cap space before Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, but it's worth taking a broader look at what is almost always a dramaless segment of free agency. RFAs "Restricted Free Agents" are players who have accrued three years' experience in the NFL. They are eligible for a new contract, but teams can restrict their access by requiring draftpick compensation for them to move on and receiving the right to match any deal a player receives. Rare is the case when a thirdyear player is valuable enough to merit a lucrative contract and a draft pick, and a result, RFAs usually don't change teams. So the only news when it comes to RFAs is typically whether they were issued a tender or not. The level of the tender is mostly an issue of the salary cap. In 2012,Cheap Steve Smith Jersey, according to NFL.com,Cheap Texans Jerseys, there are three levels of RFA tenders. A player who requires a firstround compensation will get a tender (and cap number) worth $2.742 million,Cheap Patriots Jerseys, according to NFL.com. Secondround tenders are worth $1.927 million in cap and cash, and tenders that include right to match only are worth $1.26 million. The Lions have two significant RFAs: Linebacker DeAndre Levy and defensive tackle Sammie Hill. You would think both would get at least a secondround tender. Would another team give up a secondround pick to acquire either player? Probably not, and every cap dollar will matter this year to the Lions. But they could ensure both players' return beyond a doubt by giving them firstround tenders at a combined additional cost of $1.63 million. The NFL typically announces tender levels on the day free agency begins, and we'll pass along what we find out before then. Other key RFAs in the NFC North include Chicago Bears running back Kahlil Bell, Minnesota Vikings running back Lorenzo Booker and Vikings linebacker/specialteams ace Kenny Onatolu. The author introduces： Carolina Panthers schedule analysis - NFL Nation Blog - ESPN_1723 WM Cheap Adrian Peterson Jersey on sale 096 365d JERSEYS is a privately owned sports goods company with a history of nearly 4 years.We have the professional factory behind us manufacturing all sports jerseys.Click here Read More