NFLPA files grievance against New Orleans Saints on behalf of tight end Jimmy Graham, source says

TheOak · 05-07-2014, 11:09 AM

The NFLPA has filed a grievance against the New Orleans Saints on behalf of Jimmy Graham, according to a source.

The grievance will likely contend that Graham, who was given the non-exclusive franchise tag as a tight end, should have been tagged instead as a wide receiver.

The $12.3 million franchise tag price for a wide receiver is significantly higher than the $7.035 million issued to a tagged tight end.

When asked about Graham's contract status on Wednesday, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said there is no update, a response he has maintained all offseason.

And Saints coach Sean Payton didn't seem too worried when asked about the absence of Graham from offseason workouts.

"I think it's pretty normal," Payton said of Graham's status Wednesday before the Zurich Classic of New Orleans' Pro-Am. "Everything the first week was pretty much as expected."

The Saints have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal with Graham's camp, or he will either be forced to sit out the season or play under a one-year contract. An earlier report that Graham had until April 22 to file a grievance proved to be incorrect.

Saints had a similar fight two years ago quarterback Drew Brees missed workouts, OTAs and minicamp. Brees and the Saints eventually agreed to a deal in mid-July and the quarterback returned in time for the start of training camp.

"Look, I think all of us understand and I think it's the hardest thing to understand from the outside. It is a business," said right tackle Zach Strief. "Neither side is right, neither side is wrong. It just is what it is. I think that everyone knows that the first game of the season, Jimmy will be there and be ready to go. That's all you really want at the end of the day. You forget all of a sudden that he wasn't there for OTAs and all of those other things.

Graham has not spoken publicly about the issue since February, when he said he was 'just standing.' He and agent Jimmy Sexton have been silent on the matter for months, despite reports Sexton was going to file a grievance immediately after Graham was tagged.

"I take everyday one day at a time," he said. "I'm just going to wait and see what happens because that's where it's at."

The Saints currently have $3,450,141.00 in salary cap room to work with, according to the NFLPA.

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NFLPA files grievance against New Orleans Saints on behalf of tight end Jimmy Graham, source says | NOLA.com

05-07-2014, 11:09 AM	#1
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 18,978	NFLPA files grievance against New Orleans Saints on behalf of tight end Jimmy Graham, source says The NFLPA has filed a grievance against the New Orleans Saints on behalf of Jimmy Graham, according to a source. The grievance will likely contend that Graham, who was given the non-exclusive franchise tag as a tight end, should have been tagged instead as a wide receiver. The $12.3 million franchise tag price for a wide receiver is significantly higher than the $7.035 million issued to a tagged tight end. When asked about Graham's contract status on Wednesday, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said there is no update, a response he has maintained all offseason. And Saints coach Sean Payton didn't seem too worried when asked about the absence of Graham from offseason workouts. "I think it's pretty normal," Payton said of Graham's status Wednesday before the Zurich Classic of New Orleans' Pro-Am. "Everything the first week was pretty much as expected." The Saints have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal with Graham's camp, or he will either be forced to sit out the season or play under a one-year contract. An earlier report that Graham had until April 22 to file a grievance proved to be incorrect. Saints had a similar fight two years ago quarterback Drew Brees missed workouts, OTAs and minicamp. Brees and the Saints eventually agreed to a deal in mid-July and the quarterback returned in time for the start of training camp. "Look, I think all of us understand and I think it's the hardest thing to understand from the outside. It is a business," said right tackle Zach Strief. "Neither side is right, neither side is wrong. It just is what it is. I think that everyone knows that the first game of the season, Jimmy will be there and be ready to go. That's all you really want at the end of the day. You forget all of a sudden that he wasn't there for OTAs and all of those other things. Graham has not spoken publicly about the issue since February, when he said he was 'just standing.' He and agent Jimmy Sexton have been silent on the matter for months, despite reports Sexton was going to file a grievance immediately after Graham was tagged. "I take everyday one day at a time," he said. "I'm just going to wait and see what happens because that's where it's at." The Saints currently have $3,450,141.00 in salary cap room to work with, according to the NFLPA. --- Check back for more on this breaking news story NFLPA files grievance against New Orleans Saints on behalf of tight end Jimmy Graham, source says \| NOLA.com Attached Thumbnails
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