Receivers Welker, Bowe handed franchise tags

It pays to play a skill position in the NFL, like New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, or receivers Wes Welker and Dwayne Bowe.

It also pays to be a specialist, as five place-kickers and one punter were given franchise tags, protecting their current teams from losing them without compensation.

The NFL's deadline for applying the tags was Monday afternoon, and a late flurry saw 10 players added to the list. In all, 21 players were tagged.

Only Brees, the 2011 Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year, was made an exclusive franchise player, meaning he is not free to sign with another team. The Saints will continue negotiations on a long-term contract for the record-setting quarterback.

But Brees is in line to earn well over the $14.4 million base salary for a non-exclusive tag because his 2012 salary will be based on the average of the five highest-paid players at the position as of April 20. For players given the non-exclusive tag, the new salary is based on the five highest-paid players at their position in 2011.

Naturally, the average salary for quarterbacks increases every year.

The other 20 players could move to new teams, but compensation would be two first-round draft choices.

All-Pro receiver Welker was tagged by New England and Bowe by Kansas City. Welker, who led the league with 122 receptions, and Bowe each will make about $9.5 million in 2012 if they don't reach new, longer deals with their teams.

Also tagged Monday were Titans safety Michael Griffin, Cowboys linebacker Anthony Spencer, Lions defensive end Cliff Avril, Colts defensive end Robert Mathis, and several kickers: Giants punter Steve Weatherford, Denver place-kicker Matt Prater, Tampa Bay place-kicker Connor Barth, and Jacksonville place-kicker Josh Scobee.

The other place-kickers tagged were Cleveland's Phil Dawson and Cincinnati's Mike Nugent last week.

Also previously tagged were Ravens running back Ray Rice, Bears running back Matt Forte, Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson, 49ers safety Dashon Goldson, Redskins tight end Fred Davis, Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell, Raiders safety Tyvon Branch, and Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes.

The Chargers announced Monday they would not use a franchise tag.

Free agency begins March 13.

■ COLTS -- Indianapolis answered one big question -- just not that one.

Less than 30 minutes after using the franchise tag on Pro Bowl defensive end Robert Mathis, the team confirmed it had agreed to terms on a new long-term deal with the Pro Bowl defensive end -- keeping one of the NFL's most feared passing rushing tandems intact. The move comes three days before the Colts must make an even bigger decision about quarterback Peyton Manning's future, but keeping Mathis and Dwight Freeney together in Indy was, clearly, one of the team's offseason priorities.

"First and foremost, we're going to make sure that we put both of those guys in position to make plays," Colts coach Chuck Pagano said during the NFL's recent scouting combine in Indianapolis. "I don't think it would be very smart on my part or anybody else's part to make sure that doesn't happen."

Pagano even referred to Freeney and Mathis as game-wreckers.

■ TEXANS -- Arian Foster got what he wanted from Houston, agreeing to a new five-year contract.

Foster's agent said a deal was done, though Foster had not signed it.

Foster, an undrafted free agent in 2009, made $525,000 last season. He was the NFL's leading rusher in 2010 with 1,616 yards and ran for 1,224 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. He was due to become a restricted free agent next week, but McCartney said Foster was eager to work out a deal with the Texans.

His new deal is worth up to $43.5 million, with $20.75 million guaranteed. He'll make $18 million in base salary next season, plus incentives.

■ BILLS -- Stevie Johnson signed a five-year, $36.25 million contract extension with Buffalo, a week before the flamboyant wide receiver was set to become an unrestricted free agent.

"I want to do all I can to make sure and let them know they didn't make a mistake," Johnson said. "I want to make sure they look good. This is where I started, and I wanted to remain loyal to them."

Johnson, 25, was all smiles after he signed the deal that will keep him reunited with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. The two have developed a strong relationship and are viewed as a key cog in the Bills' youth movement.

■ BUCCANEERS -- Tampa Bay re-signed free-agent offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah to a four-year contract.

Zuttah, a third-round draft pick out of Rutgers in 2008, has started 44 of 58 games he has appeared in for the Bucs.

■ RAVENS -- Baltimore released cornerback Domonique Foxworth.

Foxworth played in 18 games over three seasons with the Ravens. He missed the 2010 season after tearing a ligament in his right knee on the first day of training camp and appeared in two games in 2011 because of knee problems.