EIGHT DOWN, HOW MANY MORE TO GO?

With less than a day remaining in the period for applying the franchise tag, eight players already have been slapped with the primary tool for restricting the mobility of an otherwise unrestricted free agent. The process began with quarterback Matt Cassel of the Patriots, tagged on the first day of the period for applying it. Then, punter Michael Koenen of the Falcons. Next, running back Brandon Jacobs of the Giants got the tag, on Friday, February 13. Five more teams have used it this week -- the Bengals on kicker Shayne Graham, the Cardinals on linebacker Karlos Dansby, the Ravens on linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs, the Chargers on running back Darren Sproles, and the Buccaneers on receiver Antonio Bryant. Our list of team-by-team possibilities is right here. As we see it, at least two more teams -- the Raiders and the Panthers -- are certain to use the tag. Oakland most likely will tag cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, and the Panthers likely will tag defensive end Julius Peppers. That would push the total to ten. And there could be even more. We’ll know the final answer by 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday.