The Facts: The Titans decided against using their franchise tag for 2013 on Cook or any of their other pending free agents.

Diehards Line:Cook was considered the player most likely to receive the designation, but now he can become a free agent next week if he and the Titans don't agree to a new contract. Indications are the two sides are far apart. The Titans also decided against using the tag on their other pending free agents, including kicker Rob Bironas. So what kept the Titans from tagging Cook, a promising player heading into the prime of his career? According to Tennessean staffer Jim Wyatt, it was the battle over whether he should be tagged as a tight end or a wide receiver. As previously noted, Cook’s representation had argued he should be paid as a receiver, and the NFL Players Association had indicated it was willing to take up the fight for him. Had the Titans tagged Cook as a tight end, and lost in arbitration, there’s a chance they could have been in the hook for the higher figure, which would have made Cook the highest player on the team. Chris Johnson is scheduled to make $10 million in 2013. Cook had 44 catches for 523 yards and four touchdowns last year before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 13. A third-round pick of the Titans in 2009, he has 131 catches for 1,717 yards and eight touchdowns in four seasons. Last week at the NFL Combine, HC Mike Munchak said the Titans “very strongly” planned to make Cook a major player in their offense this fall. Now it seems likely somebody else will at least get an opportunity to do the same. ... Stay tuned.