What to know as the NFL franchise tag window opens

(Photo credit: Bob Scheer-USA TODAY Sports)
Unavoidable and detested by most who are eligible, the NFL's annual tag game begins Tuesday.

All 32 teams are allowed to play the not-so-popular franchise tag game, a roster-building accounting mechanism available to help those clubs retain free agents without the long-term demands and salary capstrain of a multi-year contract with numerous guaranteed elements.

Starting Tuesda