The Patriots have to decide what to do with quarterback Matt Cassel, especially with Tom Brady's status for the 2009 season in jeopardy. One option would be for New England to franchise Cassel and then trade him, which would allow them to receive a return on their four-year investment rather than letting him leave for nothing. RealGM Note: Cassel was ranked 8th amongst quarterbacks in season FIC and 'deserved' to make $9.1 million, giving him a Reina Value of +1,739%.

Bengals' head coach Marvin Lewis has denied a report that the team would not use its franchise tag on wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh. However, a lot could happen between now and the Feb. 22 tag deadline. Franchise tags often create a unique contract negotiating environment, so by saying it won't tag a player, a team shows a good faith attempt to sign him long-term. If contract talks fail, however, the tag could become a viable option again.

Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma is expected to be a top priority of the Saints this coming offseason. "I honestly didn't know what to expect," said Vilma, who was sent from the Jets to the Saints in an offseason trade. "I was coming off an injury and just happy to get back to playing, to be honest with you. As I said way back when the season started in training camp, naturally everything else will fall into place as long as I was playing and playing well. I felt like I played well. I'd say I can do a lot better, but it's been a good ride for me. I've enjoyed it." Vilma's play has made him perhaps the most important free agent for the Saints to retain in the offseason, or as Saints Coach Sean Payton said, "a priority."

Last year Cincinnati used its franchise tag on offensive tackle Stacy Andrews. But on one of Sunday?s final plays during Cincinnati?s win over Cleveland, Andrews damaged his right knee enough that it will impact his value on the free-agent market, and it could likely mean the Bengals no longer will franchise him. T.J. Houshmandzadeh will be a free agent, but a league source has indicated that the Bengals will choose not to do franchise him.

Donovan McNabb would rather get a new contract than play for a team other than the Eagles. "Everybody wants a new deal," McNabb said Wednesday. "But, that's not why we're playing this game. We're playing this game to win and things happen. I've been answering this question the last couple of years, so I guess to eliminate that part of it, hopefully [a new contract] will happen, but we'll see."

Buccaneers' wide receiver Antonio Bryant has made a strong case for the team to re-sign him with his current contract expiring at the conclusion of the season. "You can't deny that this guy has done things here in Tampa that have never been done before," Coach Jon Gruden said, referring to the receiver's three straight games with more than 100 yards receiving. "This last three-game stretch is amazing. ... We're hoping we can keep him around here. I'm sure he's going to have a lot of people who are going to be interested in his services. I'm really happy for him. It's all come together for him."

The Bengals may be forced to use the franchise tag on T.J. Houshmandzadeh at a cost of at least $8 million for 2009. "I don't know how I can put this," Houshmandzadeh said. "Would I be happy with it? Yeah, because it's a lot of money. But would I be happy with it? No, I wouldn't. I don't know if that makes sense. "It's going to be my ninth year (in 2009). I didn't play (much) my first three, so I look at it as being my sixth year. You just want to know what's going to happen. If you get a franchise, they want to keep you for one year and that's it. It'd be cool, but it wouldn't be cool." RealGM Note: Houshmandzadeh is ranked 12th amongst wide receivers and 'deserves' to make about $6.3 million, giving him a Reina Value of +71%.

The Giants decided against signing wide receiver Joe Horn, the Newark Star-Ledger reported Wednesday. Horn had arrived in the New York area Tuesday and met with the Giants on Wednesday. According to the report, the Giants opted against signing Horn due to concerns about his explosiveness.

Former Saints wide receiver Joe Horn has been contacted by the Giants, and reports indicate that a signing could be imminent. The source, who requested anonymity, said Horn arrived in the New York area Tuesday night and will take a physical Wednesday. Horn, 36, has been a free agent since the Falcons released him on Aug. 19, after Horn requested a trade.

Titans' defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was named to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday, which triggered a clause in his contract that could make him an unrestricted free agent after the season. Tennessee had agreed to four conditions under which they would agree not to place the franchise player tag Haynesworth. A second straight Pro Bowl appearance was one of those four triggers. "I am just excited for Albert that he made the Pro Bowl and he is certainly deserving of it," agent Chad Speck said. "Right now I know he is clearly focused on trying to get healthy and making it back for the playoff run. I think the contract stuff will take care of itself at the end of season."