The deadline for players designated with the franchise tag to sign multi-year contracts is coming fast.

The clock stops at 4 p.m. (ET) today and barring a breakthrough for these players they will be forced to play the 2012 season on a one-year deal.

Heading into the weekend, Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril and Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte both expressed optimism they would have deals in place that would obviously guarantee them far more than one-year tenders.

Now, they have about 8