The clock is ticking on the annual application of the franchise tag.
Regarding the possibility of tagging Aqib Talib, the Pats are keeping their intentions tightly guarded. As they usually do.
About pretty much everything.
Last year, Talib wasn’t tagged. He hit the market, eventually rejoining the Patriots on a one-year, $5 million deal.
This time, a far more robust market is expected for Talib. The problem for the Pats is that, thanks to Aaron Hernandez, it becomes very difficult to invest big money over the long haul in a guy with a history of off-field issues.
And that could be why some believe that Patriots are interested in shaking Darrelle Revis away from the Buccaneers. With Revis costing $16 million and the tag for Talib costing $11.834 million, it could make more sense to pay the extra $4.166 million to Revis.