Originally published Monday, January 4, 2010 at 6:00 PM

Seahawks' unrestricted free agents could turn into restricted free agents if players, owners can't agree by March

If NFL owners and players can't agree on a new collective-bargaining agreement by March, Seahawks Darryl Tapp, Chris Spencer, Rob Sims, Jon Ryan and Lance Laury would no longer be unrestricted free agents.

By Danny O'Neil

Seattle Times staff reporter

RENTON — Seahawks defensive end Darryl Tapp is unsigned for next season, playing for a team that is looking for a president in a league where the financial underpinnings are about to change.

And he's not alone in this offseason of uncertainty.

Offensive linemen Chris Spencer and Rob Sims, punter Jon Ryan and linebacker Lance Laury are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents under the current rules, but they might end up becoming restricted because of the current labor situation.

NFL owners voted in 2008 to opt out of the current collective-bargaining agreement. If a new agreement isn't reached by March, the league's salary cap disappears, but the rules regarding free agency also change. Players will need six years to enter unrestricted free agency, not four as it stands.

The result? According to an Associated Press report last month, more than 200 players who would be unrestricted free agents under the current rules would be restricted free agents if no new collective-bargaining agreement is reached.

That means their respective teams have the right to tender a one-year qualifying offer and guarantee themselves the right to match any contract offer and retain a player's services.

"Everybody looks forward to being a free agent, especially to go get a payday and find out where you're going to be the rest of your career, hopefully," Sims said. "I am in limbo because if the Seahawks don't think they want me here for the long haul and don't sign me to a big deal right now, it's not like I can go shop around."

That's because his leverage in the marketplace would be lessened because of the threat Seattle would match a deal.

So what do Seahawks like Spencer expect to happen with the league's collective-bargaining agreement?

"I have no idea," Spencer said in the week leading up to Seattle's final game. "No idea what's going to happen."

They will be waiting and watching, just like the rest of the league.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com

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