Things continue to move as we close in on the combine. So let's touch 'em all ...

Vince Wilfork's got company. The 49ers formally franchised Aubrayo Franklin today, making him the second 3-4 nose tackle tagged. Next up? Perhaps Pittsburgh's Casey Hampton. ...

Saw where my Darren Sproles post created some conversation. Well, the probability I mentioned that Sproles wouldn't be tendered now looks like a certainty. My pal Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that the Chargers will not fork over the one-year, $7.283 million offer it would take to make him a restricted free agent. So he'll be on the market, unless San Diego can reach a long-term accord with the diminutive dynamo before the end of next week. ...

Anyone interested in Brian Westbrook? The Eagles have given him permission to seek a new employer in advance of his March 5 release, although I'd say, again, the last thing the Patriots need is another 30-something in the backfield. Perhaps the larger thing here is the youth movement in Philly -- Jason Peters (28), Stacey Andrews (28), Brent Celek (25), DeSean Jackson (23), Jeremy Maclin (21) and LeSean McCoy (21) make up one heck of a young core. As I mentioned here, after writing it last week, I've heard there's a push in the Philly organization to turn over this group to 25-year-old QB Kevin Kolb. We'll see. ...

And finally, a bit more on Julius Peppers and his belief that he could thrive somewhere else. Don't know what to make of the comment from agent Carl Carey about Peppers needing a place where he can "fully develop". He's eight years into his career, and has a number of different defensive coaches. Maybe this is another part of his previously stated desire to play in a 3-4 front.