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Adam Schefter is reporting via Twitter that the Indianapolis Colts will place the franchise tag on defensive end Robert Mathis. The pass rusher market has taken a big hit today with this news and the news that the Detroit Lions have placed the franchise tag on Cliff Avril. Both of those guys would have been on the short list for the Titans in free agency.
This is a bit of a surprising move for the Colts because most people expected they would let Mathis walk as they start to re-build with Andrew Luck.
Mario Williams has to be doing a little dance right now because he is about to get paid. He was already going to be the best pass rusher on the market in a league where pass rushers are at a premium, but now he is really the only guy that is a difference maker that is available. He is about to get PAID.
John Abraham is now going to be the second best pass rusher available. The problem with Abraham is that he will be 34 when the 2012 season kicks off.
The moral of this story, as Paul Kuharsky tweeted this morning, is that the Titans should have re-signed Jason Babin after last season. I was all for them letting him walk at the time. I was wrong.