Expect Ngata to get tagged in middle of the month

According to Ravens Insider, Ravens fans can expect to see Haloti Ngata get tagged sometime in the middle of February.

"The NFL confirmed Wednesday that teams can apply the franchise tag in a 14-day window beginning Feb. 10.

That's the period when the Ravens will likely put the tag on defensive tackle Haloti Ngata to keep him off the free-agent market. Team officials recently talked to Ngata about a new deal, but both sides understand that such a big-money contract can't be completed until the new collective bargaining agreement is signed.

The franchise tag on defensive tackles last season was a one-year tender worth $7 million. Ngata, who turned 27 last month, is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and is considered one of the top defensive players in the NFL.

The franchise tag allows teams to keep their most valuable free agent off the market by paying him the average salary of the top five players at his position."