February 26, 2016 - Aaron Wilson
Ravens make Justin Tucker their franchise player
The Baltimore Ravens have made kicker Justin Tucker their franchise player, according to his agent, Robert Roche.
Negotiations didn't come close to a deal.
Tucker will now make $4.5 million this year if a long-term deal isn't reached before July 15.
Tucker is the second-most accurate kicker in NFL history, connecting on 87.8 percent of his career field goals, ranking behind Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (90.6 percent).
The Ravens traditionally sign their franchise players to long-term deals, including cornerback Chris McAlister, outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and running back Ray Rice.
Only once did they not sign a franchise player to a long-term deal: center Wally Williams
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Aaron Wilson covers the Texans for The Houston Chronicle