The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... In six days, the Saints will have to apply the franchise tag to Brees if a long-term deal doesn't get finalized before then. And if that happens, the Saints won't be able to use the franchise tag on Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks. A source with knowledge of the situation tells us that the two sides continue to talk, but that a deal is not yet done.

Diehards Line:As PFT's Mike Florio suggests, the challenge for both sides, as it was a year ago for the NFL and the NFLPA, will be to come to an understanding as to when the clock strikes 12 on getting a deal done. Using the tag gives the Saints more time. But it also potentially sets the stage for Brees to miss off-season workouts, training camp, and the preseason. Once tagged, Brees can stay away until a few days before the regular-season opener and still be paid in full -- giving him real leverage. But that doesn't seem like the real objective for Brees, who seems more interested in another Super Bowl run. And given that Nicks likely will be lost if the deal isn't done by Monday, Florio contends both sides should agree that midnight actually comes at 4:00 p.m. on March 5. ... Stay tuned.