Dave Birkett discusses the Detroit Lions' decision to use a franchise tag on Ziggy Ansah. Dave Birkett/Detroit Free Press
INDIANAPOLIS — While some NFL teams use the franchise tag as a placeholder for a long-term deal, the Lions' situation with defensive end Ziggy Ansah is much more complicated.
Ansah has dealt with a bunch of injuries in recent seasons that have depressed his production, and a few months shy of his 29th birthday, he's already on the backside of his career.
That doesn't mean the Lions won't try and sign Ansah to a multi-year extension.