Patriots G Mankins reportedly will sign his franchise tender

New England Patriots guard Logan Mankins will sign his franchise tag tender and report to training camp this week, The Boston Globe reported, citing ESPN.

Mankins, one of the 10 plaintiffs in the Brady et al v. the National Football League et al lawsuit, held out for the first seven games of the 2010 season after refusing to sign a restricted free-agent tender by the June deadline. He returned in early November and started the final nine games, making the Pro Bowl in the process.

Mankins' franchise tag will cost the Patriots more than $10 million, increasing the possibility the team will try to negotiate a long-term contract to provide it some salary cap relief and Mankins some security.

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Report: Chargers would consider using franchise tag on Jackson

Would the San Diego Chargers consider keeping wide receiver Vincent Jackson after spending most of the season in a contract dispute?

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, yes, but most likely only for one more year.

The newspaper reported there remains almost no way the Chargers will sign Jackson to a long-term deal, but they would consider putting a franchise tag (likely worth approximately $10 million for one season) on him if such a designation remains part of the NFL's next collective bargaining agreement. The current labor deal expires March 4.

The team views Jackson, who has sought as much as $50 million for five seasons, as a risk because of his arrests for DUIs and driving with a suspended license. There is the potential for a long suspension from the NFL if he gets in more trouble off the field.

Jackson illustrated his value in this past Thursday night's victory over the San Francisco 49ers, catching three touchdown passes.

Jackson signed his contract tender for this season on Oct. 29 after Week 7. He missed the next three games because of a team-imposed suspension and being placed on the roster exempt list. By being eligible to play for the final six games (he missed one due to injury), he will accrue his sixth season toward free agency.

Jackson and his agent said at one point that the receiver wouldn't play at all this season because of his unhappiness at not getting a long-term deal. Counting the six games and the Chargers' Week 10 bye, Jackson will earn $240,058 rather than the $3,268,000 he would have made had he signed his tender as a restricted free agent before the season.

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