NFL Free Agency Q & A

With free agency set to open in just a little over a week, we've put together this little Q & A related to the NFL's annual shopping spree.

Q - When does the free agency signing period begin?
A - 12:01 AM ET on Friday, February 27

Q - What are the different types of free agents?
A - Players are either "restricted" or "unrestricted" free agents. Players can also be given the "transition" or "franchise" tag.

Q - How long is the free agency signing period this year?
A - Restricted free agents: from February 27 to April 17
Unrestricted free agents: from February 27 to July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later)
Franchise players: from February 27 through the 10th week of the season.

Q - How does the NFL define an "accrued season?"
A - Six or more regular-season games on a club's active/inactive, reserved-injured or "physically unable to perform" lists.

Q - Can a team withdraw its franchise or transition designations on a player?
A - A club can withdraw its franchise or transition designations and the player then automatically becomes an unrestricted free agent either immediately or when his contract expires. The club loses the right to name a new franchise or transition player that year.

Q – What is the salary cap for 2009?
A – $127 million per club.