Saints use "exclusive" tag on Drew Brees

Mar 03, 2012

As first reported by FOXSports.com NFL insider Jay Glazer, the Saints used their franchise tag Saturday afternoon on quarterback Drew Brees.

The move means that one of the league’s top passers will remain in New Orleans for at least the 2012 NFL season. Profootballtalk.com reported that Brees was given the “exclusive” franchise tender, rendering him unable to negotiate with other teams. In exchange, Brees will make several million more dollars than the “non-exclusive” tag that carries a $14.4 million base salary.

Despite more than a year’s worth of contract talks, New Orleans and Brees were unable to reach agreement on a new deal before the NFL’s 4 p.m. ET Monday deadline to utilize the franchise designation.

By tagging Brees, the Saints are now unable to franchise another top offensive player set to become an unrestricted free agent. Left guard Carl Nicks and wide receivers Marques Colston and Robert Meachem are now likely to hit the market and attract the kind of offers that would lead to their Saints’ departure.

Fantasy Impact:

As the article mentions, by using the tag on Brees, it means the Saints can't use it on Marques Colston or Carl Nicks, so it will be much tougher to retain both of those players. Meachem is an interesting player to watch. He showed flashes of potential in New Orleans and could thrive in a pass-happy offense if he's given more snaps and targets.

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Raiders RB Alexander Mattison set to return Week 15, Sincere McCormick still starting

Levi Edwards

0 minutes ago

Antonio Pierce stated that Sincere McCormick will remain the team’s starting running back even with Alexander Mattison nearing a return this week.

“He deserves it. … He has run his tail off.”

Related Players: Ameer Abdullah

Fantasy Impact:

At 2-11, the Raiders would be silly to not see what they have in McCormick, with 31-year-old Abdullah and Mattison, who is on a one-year contract, only there to give the former UDFA a breather. Consider McCormick a volume-based RB3.

Giants QB Drew Lock in walking boot, Tommy DeVito set to start Week 15

Adam Schefter

1 hour ago

Giants HC Brian Daboll told reporters that QB Drew Lock is in a walking boot due to a heel injury and Tommy DeVito now is expected to start Sunday vs. the Ravens.

Fantasy Impact:

The Ravens path to an overall D/ST1 finish on the week becomes a little clearer. DeVito can safely be kept on benches in SuperFlex leagues on a week with zero byes.

Bills WR Keon Coleman, TE Dalton Kincaid return to practice ahead of Week 15

Ian Rapoport

2 hours ago

Good news on the way for Buffalo: Bills WR Keon Coleman (wrist) and TE Dalton Kincaid (knee) are expected to practice fully today. A positive step forward in advance of the showdown with the Lions.

Fantasy Impact:

It's probably still best to start other options over Kincaid, as he takes on a Lions defense that ranks 4th in TE aFPA, but there could be a ton of points here, so if you're in a bind he makes sense as a top-15ish option.

As for Coleman, he's more in the boom/bust WR4 range as Shakir should continue standing atop the target share.