The franchise tag period continues. Teams were able to start using the franchise tag on February 20 but no one used it until last Thursday when a couple of players were tagged, and then a few more on Friday and Saturday.

Today is the deadline. Specifically 3:00 p.m. (Arrowhead Time) is the deadline. The players who have been issued the tag so far:

Eagles WR DeSean Jackson; Raiders S Tyvon Branch; Falcons CB Brent Grimes; Ravens RB Ray Rice; 49ers S Dashon Goldson; Cardinals DE Calais Campbell; Bengals K Mike Nugent; Browns K Phil Dawson; Redskins TE Fred Davis; Bears RB Matt Forte; Saints QB Drew Brees; Titans S Michael Griffin; Jaguars K Josh Scobee.

And there are plenty still to come. Dwayne Bowe, for example, could receive the tag today. And a blast from the past -- Connor Barth could receive the Bucs franchise tag. Remember him? A few more kickers will be tagged, too. As many as five!

The real news is the guy that won't receive the franchise tag and thus could hit the open market. Vincent Jackson of the Chargers is one such name. He's reportedly not expected to receive the franchise tag, which will make him a free agent. Then again, a few years ago the Chargers weren't supposed to tender Darren Sproles and they changed their minds at the last minute, so who knows.

That's where we stand at the moment on the franchise tag. We should be hearing some Chiefs news by this afternoon.