Wilfolk expected to be given franchise tag...
 

per ESPN Ticker on TV.

boooo

but expected

And I saw that the Franchise tag is only worth $7 million.

I wonder what they will take in trade?

A second is all it took for Cassel, I would trade a second for him, but no more.

Pats don't apply Day One tag to Wilfork

Posted by Mike Florio on February 11, 2010 8:02 PM ET

The New England Patriots did not apply the franchise tag to nose tackle Vince Wilfork on the first day of the two-week period for applying the franchise tag, according to Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald.

Making the otherwise irrelevant news more relevant (or, as the case may be, less irrelevant) is the fact (as Rapoport points out) that the Pats applied the franchise tag to quarterback Matt Cassel on the first day of the 2009 period for doing so.

The difference could be that the Patriots believed other teams were or would be tampering with Cassel, and that it was important to make sure the rest of the NFL knew that the Pats intended to retain his rights beyond the launch of free agency. This time around, it's widely believed that the Patriots won't let Wilfork walk.

It also could mean that the Pats and Wilfork are working on a long-term deal, which would allow them to keep Wilfork without using the franchise tag. The six-year veteran has publicly griped about the prospect of being tagged, and we heard some rumblings last week in South Florida regarding the possibility that a multi-year contract could be negotiated.

Two years ago, the Patriots did not use the franchise tag on receiver Randy Moss, who ultimately hit the open market, considered an offer from the Eagles, and then returned to New England, signing a three-year, $27 million contract.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ry/rumor-mill/