Around The NFL

RB Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
RB Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens
CB Brent Grimes, Atlanta Falcons
DE Cliff Avril, Detroit Lions
QB Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
S Michael Griffin, Tennessee Titans
K Mike Nugent, Cincinnati Bengals
Kansas City WR Dwayne Bowe
Giants P Steve Weatherford
Eagles WR DeSean Jackson
Raiders S Tyvon Branch
Cardinals DE Calais Campbell
Redskins TE Fred Davis
Falcons CB Brent Grimes
49ers S Dashon Goldson
Browns K Phil Dawson
Jaguars K Josh Scobee
Broncos K Matt Prater
Cowboys OLB Anthony Spencer
Patriots WR Wes Welker
Buccaneers K Connor Barth

For those who don't know what a franchise tag is, the tag essentially tenders a one-year salary based on the average income of the five highest-paid players at a respective position.

A few notes, if I was Matt Forte I would absolutely hold out. If any player deserves to be paid long term, it's him.

Drew Brees not signing a long term deal really scares me, the Saints had a while to hammer out a deal and having to use the tag on him means a couple things, 1. They must have been really far apart. 2. Now pro bowl offensive lineman Carl Nicks or WR Marques Colston are sure to be gone.

If the Ravens can't get a deal done before the season and he holds out, they are screwed. Like Forte, he is the whole offense, if he misses any significant time the Ravens will struggle.

Michael Griffin. I don't get it. Cortland Finnegan should have been tagged here, he is by far the best player available, Griffin is inconsistent.

I think Wes Welker will hold out until he gets an appropriate deal. Rumor has it that offered him a 2 year deal for 14 million dollars which for a player with his production is a low ball offer. This could go 2 ways, the Wilfork way or the Mankins way. Patriot fans should be hoping for no hold out here.

The Steelers didn't tag Mike Wallace because they couldn't afford the tag. He is no tendered and would cost any team to sign him a 1st round pick. This makes me extremely nervous.

With the Green Bay Packers not franchising Matt Flynn he is now the 2nd most coveted QB behind Peyton Manning.