A little tidying up on the New England Patriots' decision to put the franchise tag on nose tackle Vince Wilfork ...

As ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss reported, the Patriots used the non-exclusive version of the tag. That allows Wilfork to make free-agent visits to other teams and sign an offer sheet if he fields a deal he likes. The Patriots would have the right to match the offer. If they decline, they would receive two first-round draft choices from Wilfork's new employer.

Wilfork also released a statement via his wife's Twitter account. Here are the tweets, pieced together:

"In regards to the many calls and emails I am receiving in response to the franchise tag we figured this would be the easiest way to [address the Patriots' decision] ...

"The franchise tag has been applied. After six years of dedicated service I do understand this is a business. With that being said it is my hope that the tag is applied for its true purpose: For the purpose of allotting more time for us to continue our talks and be able to reach a long term agreement. Only time will tell what the final result will be."

Boston Globe reporter Albert Breer laid out what everyone can expect to transpire next.

Breer also makes a keen observation about the statement the Patriots released. In it, the club made a point to call Wilfork its "top contractual priority" and noted the franchise tag was applied because a long-term deal hasn't materialized: "Unfortunately, despite numerous conversations and proposals, the goal has not yet been realized."

Considering that confidentiality is part of the Patriots' operational ideology, it would appear they inserted that line with a purpose.

Ian R. Rapoport of the Boston Herald gives an overview of how New England handled franchise tags in the past, and there isn't a track record for long-term deals being hammered out.