In 2010, the 49ers placed the franchise tag on nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin while working on a long-term contract.
The multi-year deal never happened after Franklin's career went downhill.
He sat out several weeks of training camp with the 49ers in the summer of 2010 and signed the 7 million one-year deal with a little more than two weeks before the start of the regular season.Franklin did not play well that season. Last year, the 49ers had no interest in re-signing him. The organization correctly figured that its defensive line would be better if Isaac Sopoaga moved to nose tackle and Ray McDonald was re-signed to start at left end.Franklin ended up signing a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints last summer. He flopped during his one season with the Saints. And on Thursday, he agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the San Diego Chargers.This could serve as a cautionary tale for all franchise players.Franklin was entering his eighth NFL season when the 49ers tagged him. Safety Dashon Goldson is entering his sixth season. Goldson wants to earn the kind of long-term contract that never came for Franklin.Goldson has a decision to make. He could sign his one-year, 6.212 million franchise tender with the 49ers and arrive at 49ers camp next Thursday on time. Or he could wait a while and opt to show up for the final game or two of the exhibition season.Goldson must do whatever he believes will give him the best opportunity to have a strong season. Because if he does not have a strong season, he may never get a long-term contract.
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