What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

The Saints were not close to a new deal with hybrid tight end Jimmy Graham prior to the start of the season and a failure to land one by February would surely end up with him getting the franchise tag, with no organization letting a talent like him hit the open market. With so many teams using multiple tight ends with varied job descriptions, and clubs attempting passes at a staggering rate, it seems inevitable at some point this distinction will be challenged.

And if Graham, on a record-setting pace for New Orleans this season, got the tag, expect the NFLPA and NFL to end up in arbitration over Graham's true position. Though he plays tight end, Graham is at the vanguard of the growing trend of spread formations with tight ends in the slot or out wide, and not used nearly as much in the traditional role of engaging as a blocker at the point of attack. He is a size, speed and strength matchup nightmare for defensive backs on the outside, and his focal point in the New Orleans offense -- like anAntonio Gates or a Rob Gronkowski -- is catching balls.

Last year, tight end Jared Cook was pursuing a similar argument had the Titans franchise him -- they were not up for the fight and he ended up signing with the Rams in free agency -- but if Graham is tagged there is no doubt he would. Consider, if the 2014 salary cap is around $127M, then the tight end tag would be $6.7M, while the receiver tag would be $11.6. That's a staggering difference on a one-year deal.

Read full: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham? - CBSSports.com

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

He plays under the tag or he holds out.

We don't know.

5-0 Who Dat?

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

either way mickey has his work cut out for himself

i see almost all the FA we have walking at seasons end unless they come up some really creative contracts.

good luck mickey the draft could be very interesting next year.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

Well crap....Here we go again....

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

hate to say it but 2 more years of this. Big Key is what Drew will do to help out. i can not wait to see that deal reworked. talk about an instant pay day.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

I don't live there, but I'd totally support anyone who makes it their mission to piss in the gumbo of any sports writer who addresses this again before the end of the season.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

Hence the problem with dedicating 30% of available cap space to one player. We could have as much as 40% tied up in 2 players.

What players fail to understand is that the whole team must win for them to be worth anything. If there was cap space to sign a few more quality o-lineman, Brees may make it to the end of the season to continue to pass to Graham. The synergy of the combination of players is what makes them valuable. That Colston is just as dangerous and that Sproles/PT screen threat puts a slower defender on Graham undermines the argument that he has a competitive value rather than a situational value. Just the same as Brees' value is diminished without his weapons or mastermind coach.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

Some vets will be released, Brees will restructure and Graham will be signed for 6 years $9.75 million per year.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

Way too early in the season for this talk.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

Its why we went to a youth movement.

I don't expect to see Vilma, Smith, Harper, Greer, Moore, Jenkins and several other high priced players here next year.

I think we have numerous high dollar contracts coming off the books next year.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

Brees will almost certainly restructure his deal. Will Smith will be gone, maybe Harper too. That's about 22-25 million right there. (cutting Smith saves you nearly 12 million on its own)

Loomis will get it done. He always does. Let's face it there will be hell to pay down the road. In 4-5 years Drew will retire and they'll have to blow the whole thing up and start over. Until then, everything is good.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

It is still way too early to talk Jimmy Graham, other than he will be kept. Other than that we have a boat load of FAs next year, then there is the draft, etc... The possible scenarios for making room for Jimmy are as abundant as the scenarios that could play out right now for who gets Wild Card spots this post season.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

But...but....but....I want something to panic and be unhappy about, and I want it NOW!!!!! LOL

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

Here. it is as good as any.
Time Warner Cable pays $600M for DukeNet

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

I want to put Jimmy Graham into perspective this season. We all look at him as a TE Phenom. The Best TE in the game.

This season he is the best receiver in the game period...

#1 in yardage for all Recievers and tied for 2nd with Dez Bryant for TDs.
NFL Stats: by Player Category

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

You read it here first! This 5 - 0 start was so Payton would know he still has it. The Saints tank the rest of the year and end up 5 - 11. They Trade Brees ( a declining player, remember that statement?) to the team with the worst record. It frees up a zillion dollars in cap room. We resign Graham and lock him in for life. Manziel wants out of A&M........... see where this is going?

After all he is a beast and trusts in Spags!!! I can still hear the echos of drafts past............Vince Young, Vince Young, Vince Young!

Oh yes, if Graham is franchised THE WORLD ENDS!!! we all know that!!

:lolup:

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

A deal will get done.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

They are going to have to pay the man. Too bad these guys demand so much.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

He is worth the cash in our system.

He is a great player but would he be great if he played for Andy, Jeff, John or Jim?

Look at Sproles.
Great player but the Chargers kicked him to the curb.
Was he great in San Diego?

Myself, I can not handle another holdout.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

Jimmy will probably agree to anything in order to keep catching balls from Drew.......well, almost anything. :wink:

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

I think he takes one for the team. Brees and probably restructure to help him get where he wants to be. I just dont see Jimmy holding out. Jimmy is one of those players that seems like he genuinly loves the game and is in it for the passion as much as the pay.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

I want to be quoted on the following.

Jimmy Graham will not hold out. Jimmy Graham will accept a contract he deserves. There will be no concern about what his true position is but he will absolutely become the best paid 'Tight End' in the game.

Outside of that quote, I am as bored about this talk as everyone else is. Can we put something in place that says if anyone makes any commentary about Jimmy Graham's contract from now until when we win the Superbowl, they have to drink the water at the side of Bourbon Street. From source.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

I can see Vilma, Moore and Harper gone for next year. We have players stepping up this year. As far as Graham is concerned, he needs to sign a 3 year contract 12-14 million per year, because Drew will be probably gone then and being here gives him the best chance for a Superbowl. Then if he is like Gonzales in ATL, he will have a very long career and make lots of money.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

To heck with Jimmy. I've been trying to get them to sign me with rookie pool dollars to no avail. I think I need a new agent, or maybe a team of agents. Any of y'all interested in the job?

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

Let's get him a Super Bowl ring then talk about it. How about that.

THEN, he eclipses Tony Gonzalez.

Retires a Saint.

Gets a statue in Champions' Square.

Okay, I'm getting ahead of myself here...

Alaska

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

This is what we said about Drew...

Alaska

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

I'll take that job saintfan. Just send me 25% of your earnings from this day forward, and I'll take care of the rest. http://www.ar15armory.com/forums/pub...ault/thumb.gif

As far as Jimmy Graham goes, he keeps taking shots like he took in the Tampa Bay game, he ain't gonna last three years.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

I will post a copy of my feeling on paying Jimmy before the season started from another forum I frequent:

"Harper, Smith, Vilma and most likely Ingram will all be off the books and its the 3rd yr of Brees' 100Mil contract.....he's gone restructure to get most of his base salary up front so he can keep Jimmy (if you think Brees finna let Jimmy go you crazy, he's not gone make that mistake like he did with Carl Nicks). So its actually smarter for Loomis to wait till the off season to do Jimmy's contract.

Go to this site and look at everyone I just listed. The important numbers is the Dead Money in 2013 vs 2014.

New Orleans Saints Player Contracts, Salaries, & Transactions


The Dead Money is what's important..... Everybody I listed had high Dead Money numbers.

Smith - $ 7,855,902
Brees - $ 29,850,000
Harper - $6,510,000
Ingram - $2,996,250
Vilma - $2,732,500

Here is the money you take off the books if you wait until the offseason to cut them.

Ingram - $2,359,875
Harper - $2,180,000
Smith - $10,400,000
Vilma - UFA in 2014

Brees has no dead money for the rest of his contract. His cap hit in 2014 is $18,400,000. If Loomis can get him to take most of that as a signing bonus he'll have enough to at least pay him what he would be guaranteed with a new contract.

Once you start look at how most of these contracts are structured you'll see Loomis set it up so these older guys from the SB team could get the money in 2013 and he'll be able to cut them to bring in and pay these younger guys."

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

"hybrid tight end"?

His source is either an agent or someone in the Players Association...

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

For a minute there I thought you were my soon-to-be-ex.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

Saints lead NFL in 2014 cap commitment

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis did a nice job of guiding the Saints through a tough salary-cap situation this offseason. But Loomis is going to have to do the same thing all over again next year.

According to the latest numbers I’ve obtained, the Saints have a league-high $143.4 million committed toward a 2014 cap that’s expected to be slightly more than $120 million. The Saints, Dallas Cowboys ($141 million) and Detroit Lions ($137 million) are the only teams with more than $130 million committed toward the 2014 cap.

The Carolina Panthers are fourth at $128.2 million. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have $118.5 million committed toward next year’s cap, but that number could face many variables. If quarterback Josh Freeman has a big season, the Bucs will have to sign him to a hefty new contract. But Tampa Bay currently is more than $18 million under this year’s cap, and should be able to carryover a substantial part of that to create room under next year’s cap.

The Atlanta Falcons are in the best cap shape for 2014 of any NFC South team, with $101.8 million currently committed. But that’s only a temporary number. The Falcons are likely to sign quarterback Matt Ryan to a contract extension sometime this offseason, which will shrink their 2014 cap room significantly.

Saints lead NFL in 2014 cap commitment - NFC South Blog - ESPN

Free agents for 2014

Number one concern is the OL. Jimmy we talk about but 3 starters and a key back up on the interior are also FA.

Jimmy Graham at Tight End
Brian De La Puente at Center
Charles Brown at Left Tackle, Tackle
Zach Strief at Right Tackle
Bryce Harris at Right Tackle

Then you have the supporting cast solid depth

Jed Collins at Fullback
Joseph Morgan at Wide Receiver
Robert Meachem at Wide Receiver
Luke McCown at Quarterback

Safety is going to be an issue. Jenkins appears to be coming into own so the off season might be interesting with him and the development of the back ups.

Malcolm Jenkins at Safety
Rafael Bush at Safety
Isa Abdul-Quddus at Safety

The rest of the defense is pretty much what we have already talked about but depth is going to be an issue to watch

Tom Johnson at Defensive End
Kenyon Coleman at Defensive End
Keyunta Dawson at Defensive End
Jonathan Vilma at Inside Linebacker
Ramon Humber at Inside Linebacker
Parys Haralson at Outside Linebacker
Chris Carr at Cornerback


ok so mickey without a doubt has his work cut out for himself. we already are some 23 million over the cap or there abouts for 2014. then we add in the players we will either sign or need to replace via draft or FA. it will be fun to watch Mickey do his thing. how this guy gets any sleep is beyond me

looking at the contract it appears this unit was built money wise to make a run till 2018.

So the real fun will start in 2015 and on. then it appears the saints might start getting some cap relief with some really difficult moves as long as they draft well and continue with solid fA.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

"Takes one for the team" I don't think so. If you could double or even better your present take home pay, would you "Take one for your company?"



"I married our prom queen, divorced her and married our cross town rivals prom queen."

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

This is as about as accurate as it gets. 2014 Cap as we are invested right now is 122M

New Orleans Saints Salary Cap - 2014 Breakdown

Here are your Saints 2014 Free Agents broken down a little differently.
New Orleans Saints Free Agents - 2014

Ive had this for a while but not posted it because it way too early to start looking this deep.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

My sentiments exactly. I doubt anyone here that works for someone else has intentionally negotiated lower pay or bonus. I have offered to forgo my salary for a month so some employees could get paid but never asked for lower compensation.

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

Without a doubt

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

Ok I LOVE me some Jimmy Graham... the dude is bad ass on what he brings to the field.
However I'm gonna trust the front office and not go GE on this one.
I'm sure they're looking at college level people to possibly replace him if a deal isn't met in time. That's a quality we have that most teams don't. Always looking 2-3 steps ahead.

However I hope they work out a deal

Re: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham?
 

JG is worth it.