The NFC West has used a franchise tag 31 times, which leads the NFL.

The AFC East ranks second with 24.

The Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks have used the tag 10 times apiece, tied for first ahead of the Arizona Cardinals with nine.

The New England Patriots have used the franchise tag eight times, while the Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals have used it seven times.

The Indianapolis Colts have released Dwight Freeney and Austin Collie.

Freeney had been with the Colts since 2002 when he was the 11th overall pick.

Freeney helped the Colts win the 2006 Super Bowl and was AFC Defensive Player of the Year in 2005.

Bruce Arians has been named AP Coach of the Year, becoming the first interim coach to receive the award.

The Indianapolis Colts had a 9-3 record under Arians.

Arians earned 36½ votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL. Chuck Pagano finished second with 5½, while Pete Carroll of Seattle received five and Leslie Frazier of Minnesota got three.

Arians is now the head coach of the Cardinals.