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Re: Jimmy Graham Contract

I think graham is awesome but with brees already having a monster contract adding him to the list i can only see hurting us

Re: Jimmy Graham Contract

Jimmy Graham on Seahawks' D: They 'grab and hold as much as you can' - CBSSports.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Singer, CBS Sports

It's certainly not original to suggest that the Seahawks' defense...has mastered the art of holding...Former Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride suggested..."If you think they're going to be called (for defensive holding or pass interference) and expect that to be the solution to the problem, you're going to be sadly mistaken...."

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham echoed similar sentiments Friday.

“They're the type of team that they're very, very aggressive,...I think they teach, ‘Listen, they're not going to call the (pass interference)...'”

...former VP of Officials Mike Pereira said..."They (Seahawks) look at it and say, 'We may get called for one but not 10,'" Pereira said.

...Graham did concede that during their NFC divisional matchup, the Saints were "caught off guard" with just how fast and physical the Seahawks were. (Other than some pre-game gum-flapping, Graham was a non-factor.)

I'd bring up this situation in negotiations and ask Jimmy why he should be paid what he's asking when he didn't have a solution in the second matchup which was just a few weeks after the regular season debacle...

Know the refs won't throw a flag, why we're you and Drew still trying to draw a flag on crucial conversion down plays?!?

Why didn't you adopt the same philosophy and proceed to take advantage of your size and commit offensive pass interference repeatedly and expect the refs to be apathetic and leave the hankie in the pocket?!?

Really have my doubts of paying long term for Graham if he can't make it happen on his part...

Re: Jimmy Graham Contract

Holding? jammed at line? if you are elite that does not shut you down. it shows your game needs a ton of work.

Re: Jimmy Graham Contract

Others will pay for Jimmy to play...

Saints an estimated $2.6 million under cap - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

The Franchise Tag for Tight Ends will be ~$6.8 million for 2014...

If Graham's reps argue, and win, a possible arbitration case that number would escalate to ~$11.6 million this upcoming season...

And we've got to be under the salary cap, with designations, by March 11

Inside Slant: Salary cap carryover numbers - NFL Nation Blog - ESPN

So where does the Front Office find room now?

Larry Holder of NOLA.com asks about some ugly choices in
Where could the New Orleans Saints turn next for salary cap relief for 2014? | NOLA.com

Summary of Cap Numbers from Article:

Player • 2014 Cap Number • Savings • Dead Money

Brodrick Bunkley • 6.1 mil (2014-16) • 4.5 mil (2014-16) • 1.6 mil (2014-16)

Lance Moore • 5.1 mil (5.6 in 2015) • 3.8 mil (4.3mil in 2015) • 1.3 mil (2014-15)

Pierre Thomas • 2.9 mil • 2.9 mil • 1.3 mil

Darren Sproles • 4.25 mil • 3.5 mil • 0.75 mil

Patrick Robinson • 2.8 mil • 1.3 mil • 1.3 mil

Those 'savings' add up to 16 mil; and with the current 2.6 mil of room, Saints FO can potentially make a total of 18.6 mil of estimated cap room...

So for us to re-sign Graham, at present, and assuming no willingness on the part of players to take a pay-cut, and the uncertainty of Graham's potential tag designation, well, things are pretty tight...

If Graham is indeed to stay with the Saints, a contract will need to be worked out that is probably back-end guaranteed...

Re: Jimmy Graham Contract

Today is the start of the Tags and today will be a small tell tale on Grahams situation.

If he is hit with any sort of tag today, the front office doesn't see any light at the end of the tunnel on a contract agreement. They will tag him for three reasons: if he signs it puts the matter to bed, if he doesn't sign there is at least a starting point, they want to tag him as early as they can to get resolution to the "what is he" before the tag deadline is over.

Re: Jimmy Graham Contract

There's no one else among the Free Agents I'd use the tag on and Graham has the most value and probably could draw two (2) first round picks (yes, possibly even Atlanta); but we can start working ourselves out of this salary cap purgatory we find ourselves and fill some holes quickly with younger, faster, stronger, affordable bucks...

Re: Jimmy Graham Contract

You can only use 1 of the First Rounders this year.