WhoDat!656

So much focus this off season has been on what the New Orleans Saints do with quarterback Drew Brees, guard Carl Nicks, and wide receiver Marques Colston.

General Manager Mickey Loomis may need to address another star on the offensive side of the ball however, tight end Jimmy Graham.

Graham only has two years remaining on his four-year $2.4 million dollar rookie contract that he signed when he entered the league in 2010.

The average salary for a tight end in the NFL in 2011 was $1.27 million, and in terms of average per year, Graham was near the bottom of the league.


Could New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham want a new deal?

"A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."

BGWhoDat

Thank you sir.

UK_WhoDat

Still has a contract running. JG ain't doing anything unless Brees DOES NOT re-sign.

FinSaint

They won't open contract negotiations with him this early, but it is good to remember that his contract has to be addressed in the future. Therefore, I think that putting the tag on Nicks for the coming season and then letting him walk after that would be the best solution, because it would free up cap space to deal with some of these future contracts.

As hard as it is to imagine letting Nicks walk, I can't see the Saints investing almost $20M/year on a pair of guard and remain competitive enough in other areas of the game.

"I'm not bashing people, I'm bashing their opinions because in my opinion their opinion is wrong" - Danno

Rugby Saint II

Jimmy Graham doesn't appear to be a team player. He is being underpaid now and will want to make up the difference. I don't blame him.

FinSaint

I agree, but it is very understandable considering his background.

halloween 65

Graham and all our receivers look great because of Brees accuracy and the time our O-line gives Brees to go through his progression reads, I'm not taking away from Graham but Nicks is more of an asset. If Nicks gets tagged this year something will have to give next season. There is the possibility of dealing Evans to a team for picks this season, I do know I would hate to be Loomis. It is very possible to deal Graham this year for a kings ranson, he will demand a kings ranson next year, what better time to get out of loosing more than what we will lose next year, possibly him and Nicks, the right offer comes I say pull the trigger. Brees protection should come at all cost.

BGWhoDat

He is just due a raise this season or next season was all. He's extremely underpaid.

Doubtful it will happen this season (the Saints will want to keep his salary low) but next season no doubt.

Just had to let fans know he will want a raise soon and to bring awareness at how privileged we are to have Brees, Graham, etc all making dirt money compared to other players around the league.

ScottF

I am not a fan of any holdout, but Graham certainly has a strong case and should ask to renegotiate.

Of course, the Saints' argument is that they him gave a rookie contract based on his 17 career college receptions.

Isn't there some CBA clause that pays out extra money to higher round picks that do well? I know Colston was compensated after his rookie year

RaginCajun83

Lets remember that the cap jumps up after next season due to the new tv contract that was signed so there might be enough to go around if Nicks is still here even if they have to break the bank to keep Jimmy a Saint