I am really hoping that we franchise Nicks and sign Colston for another 5 years. The dude is our #1 receiver and is a freakin stud. I know Nicks is just as valuable but I believe Colston over Nicks at this point. As we all know, Brees is the first thing that needs to get done and the front office needs to hurry the hell up. I dont know whats taking so long. He needs to feel that we want him to stay around for a long time and I hope that these on going discussions are not pissing off Brees. Just my OP.

I agree, but tagging Nicks will cost us 10 mill this year, so still no bargain. At least if JJ or some other free spending owner goes after him, we get 2 number 1's. I can see Snyder doing that, but very few others.

How would we get 2 #1's? And if so when?

I had to WIKI it yesterday--

Types of franchise tag

There are two types of franchise tag designations: the exclusive rights franchise tag, and non-exclusive rights franchise tag:

An "exclusive" franchise player must be offered a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position as of a date in April of the current year in which the tag will apply, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater. Exclusive franchise players cannot negotiate with other teams.

A "non-exclusive" franchise player must be offered a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position in the previous year, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater. A non-exclusive franchise player may negotiate with other NFL teams, but if he signs an offer sheet from another team, the original team has a right to match the terms of that offer, or if it does not match the offer and thus loses the player, is entitled to receive two first-round draft picks as compensation

And you honestly think that someone would be willing to give up those two 1st round picks just for the honor of signing Nicks into a very expensive long-term contract?

No.
The point of franchising a guy is to buy time in the contract negotiations, or at the very least get another year out of him at a 'lower' rate. Maybe at this point next year Nicks isn't a pro bowler, or maybe we get a deal done before then, who knows. The tag basically keeps him as our property for another year.

big 'IF' -- if a team thinks he is worth two number 1's (which he is, btw), then they can sign him to an offer sheet. So, the tag then becomes an insurance policy

I had to WIKI it yesterday--

Types of franchise tag

There are two types of franchise tag designations: the exclusive rights franchise tag, and non-exclusive rights franchise tag:

An "exclusive" franchise player must be offered a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position as of a date in April of the current year in which the tag will apply, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater. Exclusive franchise players cannot negotiate with other teams.

A "non-exclusive" franchise player must be offered a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player's position in the previous year, or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater. A non-exclusive franchise player may negotiate with other NFL teams, but if he signs an offer sheet from another team, the original team has a right to match the terms of that offer, or if it does not match the offer and thus loses the player, is entitled to receive two first-round draft picks as compensation

Thanks, I did not know that!! Now from that I have a question: Could the Saints be thinking that we could get 2 #1 for Nicks, it would explain why they are dragging their feet with Brees? Also we would have 3 #1 next year, talk about revamping a team with all of those picks, there are a lot of ways to play those cards. Maybe Jerry Jones or Snider helps us out? I'm game!!

Not even Jones or Snider would be that stupid... I mean giving up 2 1st round picks for a guard that they would still have to sign to probably the biggest contract ever given to a guard.