NFL Franchise Tag Deadline: Chiefs Score at the Deadline, Tag Brandon Albert
By Jason Marcum
UPDATE 3:59 PM
As the deadline came and went, the Kansas City Chiefs made several deadline moves as they reached agreement on long-term contracts with receiver Dwayne Bowe and punter Dustin Colquitt, and also used their franchise tag on left tackle Branden Albert.
Bowe was placed on injured reserve with a rib injury in December, finishing the 2012 season with 59 catches for 801 yards and three touchdown receptions.
Colquitt had 42 punts inside the opponents 20-yard line last season, just two short of the NFL record of 44.
UPDATE 3:40 PM
According to Jim Wyatt of the Tennesseean, the Tenseness Titans are not going to use the tag on tight end Jared Cook.
FOXSports.com’s Alex Marvez reports the Packers will not use the tag on free agent receiver Greg Jennings, who will now be arguably the top free agent receiver on the market once free agency begins Saturday.
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports the Texans will not use their franchise tag on safety Glover Quin.
UPDATE 1:55 PM
The Dallas Cowboys have used the franchise tag on Anthony Spencer for the second season in a row. This comes right on the heels of news that safety Gerald Sensabaugh was released to save $1.4 millin in cap space.
The Miami Dolphins are using the franchise tag on defensive tackle Randy Starks, who is coming off back-to-back seasons of 4.5 sacks. For Starks, the tag means a one-year deal that would pay him $8.45 million. Offensive tackle Jake Long and cornerback Sean Smith were candidates to receive the tag, but they will now be able to test the market.
"Players not expected to be tagged today include: WR Wes Welker, OT Jake Long, P Shane Lechler, S Dashon Goldson, TE Dustin Keller.— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2013"
The New England Patriots will do everything in their power to make sure cornerback Aqib Talib remains with the club in 2013 after becoming their best defensive back once he was acquired in a midseason trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Peter King of SI echoes those same sentiments:
"I think the Patriots are going to find a way to keep Aqib Talib. He’s too important at a position that otherwise is bankrupt for New England."
Because the Pats won’t use the franchise tag on Wes Welker, don’t be surprised to see Talib get tagged by the end of the day.
Profootballtalk.com is reporting that the Houston Texans are planning to use the franchise tag on strong safety Glover Quin. He would make close to $7 million, and it would be well-deserved. According to Pro Football Focus, Quinn ranked 11th in the NFL among all safeties in stops. Quinn is regarded as one of the best blitzing defensive backs in the league, as he was ninth in the league in quarterback hurries. He was also second in the league in passes defensed.
If Quinn isn’t tagged, he’ll be one of the hottest commodities once free agency begins March 9th.
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