New Orleans Saints Could Place Franchise Tag on Drew Brees by Monday

We've always considered Drew Brees one of the ultimate "good guys" in the NFL, but that doesn't mean he's not out to get his in a new contract.

The New Orleans Saints have until Monday to designate a franchise player and it looks more and more like Brees is going to be that guy, due to a rift in contract negotiations.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports:

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The New Orleans Saints and quarterback Drew Brees still remain a ways apart in their efforts to produce a long-term contract, according to league sources.

If the two sides cannot make considerable progress from where they are today, the Saints will be forced to use their franchise tag on Brees by the Monday deadline.

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This is trouble for the Saints, because both Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks and wide receiver Marques Colston are also free agents.

If the Saints are able to come to a deal with Brees before Monday, it would give New Orleans the ability to definitively keep at least two of its most important players. With Brees rocking the franchise tag, the other two stars will most certainly see offers flying in from other teams.

Brees is obviously the most important of the bunch, but the Saints would be livid if they lost Nicks this offseason. Colston is a great player, but of the three he is easily the most expendable. With Brees at the helm, they could find another No. 1 target to replace his production.

These two sides need to come together fast or they run the risk of potentially weakening this team severely should the quarterback be the only one that returns.