Bills & Johnson "far apart"

ORCHARD PARK, NY (WIVB) - Monday is the first day that NFL teams can use the franchise tag.  But an Associated Press report Sunday night cites a source who says wide receiver Stevie Johnson does not expect that to happen.  The AP report also says that contract talks between the team and the soon-to-be free agent are "far apart."

The receiver's agent and the Bills are expected to resume negotiations this week at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

News 4 Sports will be there at the Combine, and John Murphy's reports begin on Thursday.  The Stevie Johnson contract will be among the topics he'll discuss with the Bills front office.

The franchise tag would pay Johnson around $9.6 million dollars.  But it would allow the team to keep their top receiver on the team.  He will become an unrestricted free agent in March if no deal is done.