The Carolina Panthers decided Tuesday to place the franchise tag on Jordan Gross, all but assuring the right tackle will remain in Carolina next season.

After failing to come to terms on a long-term deal, the Panthers offered Gross a one-year contract for $7.45 million, which is the average salary of the top five highest-paid offensive linemen in the NFL from last season.

Though the franchise tag doesn't prevent another team from offering Gross a contract, the Panthers can match any offer. If they don't, the team that signs him would have to give up two first-round picks to the Panthers in return.

It means Gross almost certainly will spend 2008 in Carolina.

Gross and Carolina still could agree on a long-term contract. The sides have until this summer to work out a deal before the window expires.

"You can always negotiate," Hurney said.

Lock did not immediately return phone and e-mail messages on Tuesday seeking comment.

Gross was the eighth overall pick in the 2003 draft out of Utah and has started all 80 games for Carolina in five seasons.

Other franchise tags handed out Tuesday:

* The Baltimore Ravens designated two-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs their franchise player. Suggs will be paid a one-year contract of $8.065 million.

* The Kansas City Chiefs put a franchise tag on defensive end Jared Allen, who led the NFL in sacks last season despite being suspended for the first two games. Allen will make almost $9 million next season.

ALBRIGHT SIGNS NEW DEAL: Pro Bowl long snapper Ethan Albright re-signed with the Washington Redskins on Tuesday.

Albright, who is from Greensboro and played at the University of North Carolina, hasn't had a bad snap since joining the Redskins in 2001. He was one of three Washington representatives at this month's Pro Bowl, his first All-Star selection in his 12-year NFL career.

Albright was signed as an undrafted free agent by Miami in 1994 and made his NFL debut with the Dolphins in 1995. He later played with the Buffalo Bills before joining the Redskins.

NINERS CUT LINEBACKER: The San Francisco 49ers waived linebacker Derek Smith on Tuesday, cutting ties with their longtime leading tackler whose role was assumed last season by rookie Patrick Willis.

Smith, an 11-year pro who signed a three-year contract extension before the 2006 season, was scheduled to make $3.28 million in base salary next season despite his dwindling role on the San Francisco defense.

Willis, the NFL's defensive rookie of the year, took over Smith's role as the 49ers' defensive leader and top tackler.