Franchise tag

• The season may be over, but for the front offices of teams around the National Football League, work is just getting started.
(The Christian Science Monitor)
• Drew Brees with his tongue outDrew Brees was hit with the franchise tag by the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, despite having made it clear that thats not what he wanted. So what happens now? Well, according to CBSSports.
(YAHOO!)
• The Dolphins let the 4 p.m. deadline pass Monday without slapping a franchise tag on any of their players for 2012. More important, so did the Green Bay Packers.
(Palm Beach Post)
• The Giants have used their franchise player tag for just the third time in their history, placing it on punter Steve Weatherford. The tag guarantees Weatherford a one-year deal worth approximately $2.
(New York Daily News)
• FOXBORO, Mass. -- The New England Patriots have placed the franchise tag on dynamic wide receiver Wes Welker. Welker will earn about $9.4 million in 2012, but the team and player aim to achieve a longer deal.
(Chicago Tribune)
• Utilizing the franchise designation allows both sides more time to try to reach an agreement, which is the goal. Wes remains a contractual priority and we are hopeful that he will remain a Patriot for years to come.
(ESPN)
• Were less than 24 hours away from the NFLs franchise tag deadline (Monday, 4:00 PM ET) as several clubs have yet to designate a potential free agent to retain with a one-year deal.
(USA Today)
• --The Titans joined the tag game on Monday, using their 2012 franchise tender to keep safety Michael Griffin from reaching unrestricted free agency on March 13. Griffin, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, will earn approximately $6.
(CBS Sports)
• Matt Forte will be back in a Chicago Bears uniform for the 2012 season, but he will do it on their terms. The Bears slapped the franchise tag on Forte, which means he will earn $7.7 million during the upcoming season.
(YAHOO!)