NFLPA files grievance against New Orleans Saints on behalf of tight end Jimmy...
 

I'll tell you how I interpret this and the CBA in regards to this, there are separate and distinct items which have to be processed in order for it to make sense.


First and foremost Jimmy Graham is a Free Agent, and the non-exclusive Franchise Tag makes him a "restricted" free agent because there is a right of first refusal by the Saints. Make sense?

Ok

May 2nd was the last day a restricted free agent could sign an offer sheet with another club.

May 7th was the deadline for the Right of First Refusal for Clubs that had restricted free agents that signed offer sheets.

So.... To answer your question, the Draft picks for Jimmy ship sailed last Friday.

Now I know a few people are upset that Jimmy waited just before the draft to file the grievance.

I don't think that is the case, I believe Jimmy and his agent waited until the offer sheet period was over and then filed the grievance which just so happens to be right before the draft. The reason is that Jimmy didn't want a ruling stating his tag was worth 7m as a TE while he was negotiating with other teams. All they would have to offer is 8m to beat what he would make for his tag. He also wanted to make sure he didn't have to battle over his Tag designation with the Saints unless it was absolutely necessary.

Help any? I know it is contradictory to 90% that is out there, but I have experience in negotiating and interpreting contract T&C and that is how I see it all. It's the only scenario that makes complete sense to me from start to finish.

Re: NFLPA files grievance against New Orleans Saints on behalf of tight end Jimmy...
 

So, according to that interpretation there are only three distinct scenarios:

1. Graham and the Saints come to an agreement on a new deal.

2. Graham agrees to sign the Franchise Tag (be it as a WR or a TE).

3. Graham refuses to sign the Franchise Tag and is forced to sit out the full NFL year.

Graham would not be available to any other NFL franchise unless signed via new deal or tag and offered as a trade.

Correct?

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

Jimmy, his agent and the NFLPA can all shove it at this point.

Hey, I've decided that I'm a wide receiver. Even though I don't play in the league, I've decided that a WR is what I want to be, so I should be paid like one. I don't have any 1,000 yard seasons, but like Jimmy, I also have not produced so much as a fart in a big game recently. If that doesn't win me this case, then I think I'll just sue the Saints or something... Yeah.

He has all the talent in the world and at times is exciting to watch, but if he can't come through when we need him the most then what difference does it really make if he goes? In a perfect world I'd like to keep him and have him step up his game. But his attitude right now suggests to me that he cares more about his ego than his game, and teammates. So I don't have any confidence that he'll shake his disappearing act.

Re: NFLPA files grievance against New Orleans Saints on behalf of tight end Jimmy...
 

4. NFLPA wins arbitration, Loomis decides 12m is too much for Graham and he rescinds the Franchise Tag making Gram a Free Agent with no restrictions. We gain 7m in cap space.

Re: NFLPA files grievance against New Orleans Saints on behalf of tight end Jimmy...
 

There is that, of course.

Re: NFLPA files grievance against New Orleans Saints on behalf of tight end Jimmy...
 

While insignificant to most, it's the only leverage that Loomis has.

This deep into free agency and post draft would leave Graham with considerably fewer options for a new team. While there are teams left with cap space, most are not places Jimmy would want t go.

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

Katherine Terrell ‏@Kat_Terrell 22m
Loomis said he knows there's a timeframe from Jimmy Graham hearing and it's about a month.

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

I find it really interesting how personally some fans seem to be taking this issue.

It's just business. As The Oak stated in a earlier post, where did the crazy idea that JG cares more about his ego come from?

All of this situation is a business arrangement between parties negotiating a contract. There are actually at least 4 parties involved: JG, The Saints, The NFL, and the NFLPA. Each is rightly trying to maximize the value of their position. It's not ego, it's just plain common sense.

If I come to purchase a car from you, I fully expect you to try to negotiate the highest price you can get for it. And you can fully expect that I will try to get the lowest price. There's no ego involved with that process.

As for disappearing, I think the charge is a bit disingenuous on a couple of levels. First and foremost, JG was the most potent weapon in the Saints offense last year. This means that each and every opponent's goal was to limit his catches, yards, and TDs. Many tried. Few succeded.

The second more important issue is that the guy did this with an injured foot. He still had over 70 catches, and 16TDs over the course of the season.

It's amazing how much production he still gets even though he is bracketed most of the time.

I'm just wondering aloud if the frustration with the process translates to this attitude towards JG. I was shaking my head two years ago when there was the same discussion about Brees.

Personally I enjoy to business aspects of football. It's interesting to watch the negotiation process and attempt to predict how the parties will react. I outlined the schedule back in February. AFAICT except for the false April 22nd deadline on the grievance, the process is right on schedule.

I really want to understand why trying to maximize the value of your services is an "ego" thing? And why fans simply expect each and every player to take the "hometown discount" contract simply because the salaries are in the millions, and that the fans are rabid about the team?

I think folks sometime miss the psychology of feeling underpaid. It causes resentment and lessens productivity.

The simple fact is that JG is the best TE (and yes I believe he's a TE) in the game. Anything less than Gronk's contract, which looks like it's split into two 3 year contracts, really should be a non starter.

I just wonder if anyone here would honestly not file a piece of paper in order to get a 25% raise. I would. It's just business.

SFIAH