Colts not franchise tagging top cornerback Davis

Vontae Davis joins a growing talent pool not being franchise tagged this year. (USATSI)

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The Colts will not franchise cornerback Vontae Davis if a deal is not struck prior to the tagging deadline Monday, according to a league source.

Davis is Indianapolis' top corner, with the size, physicality and coverage skills coach Chuck Pagano prizes and the team is continuing efforts to sign him long term. Those efforts will continue until March 11, but the tag will not be applied, the source said.

The Redskins (Brian Orakpo) and Bills (Jairus Byrd) are very unlikely to use the tag, too, while the Dolphins continue efforts to re-sign corner Brent Grimes, another one of the few true franchise tag candidates this offseason. The Browns also have a decision to make to safety T.J. Ward.

So far, only Saints TE Jimmy Graham and Panthers DE Greg Hardy have been tagged.

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WR Sidney Rice officially released by the Seahawks



In an effort to free up cap space, the Seattle Seahawks released WR Sidney Rice and DE Red Bryant. Rice would have cost the Seahawks 7.3 million against cap this coming year; Bryant 5.5 million. Both of the veterans were informed of their impending release on Feb. 21, a week before they were officially cut.



Rice cashed in on his one fantastic year in Minnesota a couple of years ago, but hasn't done much since. With Percy Harvin, Doug Baldwin, and Golden Tate handling the receiving duties down the stretch for the Seahawks there was virtually no chance the rangy often injured Rice would be on the team in 2014.Rice went down week 8 against St. Louis with an ACL injury, holding him to just 231 yards on the season. If Rice can pass a physical, he could hook on with a team early in the 2014 season. Typically an ACL tear means a year off, so keep an eye on Rice as the season starts, he's still a tall, fast receiver who, despite being a veteran, is only 27 years old. He may be a nice 2014 waiver add.WR Percy Harvin remains the top fantasy target out of Seattle next season.