Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

The New Orleans Saints apparently view tight end Benjamin Watson as something more than just a backup.

The proof is in his pay.

In a twist of fate, Watson will make more than $700,000 more than what starter Jimmy Graham does in total cash this year. According to numbers obtained by ESPN.com, Watson will earn $2.15 million this season, while Graham will make $1.323 million in 2013.

Anyone else out there thinking about a possible holdout by Graham if he doesn’t get an extension (and a big raise) of a rookie contract he clearly has outplayed?

For the record, Watson’s three-year deal is worth $4.95 million. He got a $1.2 million signing bonus and a $950,000 first-year base salary. Watson’s 2014 salary jumps to $1 million and he has a $250,000 roster bonus and a $50,000 workout bonus.

In 2015, Watson’s salary will be $1.2 million and he also will have a $250,000 roster bonus and a $50,000 workout bonus.

I’ve also obtained the numbers on some other contracts recently signed by New Orleans players. Receiver/special teams player Courtney Roby got a one-year deal worth $905,000. But the Saints designated Roby as a veteran minimum benefit player, meaning his cap figure for this year is just $555,000.

The Saints did a similar maneuver with linebacker Ramon Humber. His one-year deal is worth $740,000. But the veteran minimum benefit puts his cap number at $550,000.

According to my calculations, the Saints are roughly $1.85 million under the cap.

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Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

If he wanted he could have held out before now, he's gonna play out his contract like. Bree's did, if a deal can't be reached loomis will pull out his exclusive rights franchise tag, and he get his deal done after that.

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

If he has a great year, like he should, his paycheck for the next year will dwarf anything Watson gets x10.

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

Jimmy will get paid n if we let him go then Imma go into deep depression...

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

I'm all for paying Graham what he's worth.
However I wasn't too impressed with the "beast" last year.
One has to wonder if its from dunking the ball over the up rights... anyway

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

This is Watson's last contract, Jimmy better understand that.

Watson's contract is not Jimmy Grahams concern... If Jimmy's agent is worth a hoot he will tell Jimmy not to push anything. If Jimmy pushes and uses Watsons contract as leverage then the Saints just need to beat Watson's contract, if Jimmy plays this year like he did in 2011 his new contract will dwarf Watson's. If Jimmy plays 2013 like he did in 2011 my gut tells me Jimmy will be either giving a preferred discount in 2014 or he will be playing in a different jersey.

Yasinkas is trying to make news where there isnt...

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

Was there actually a story there somewhere?

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

Cut down on the drops, learn how to block, stay healthy, and he should get paid top dollar.

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

Nah, just tryin to stir the pot. This is a shot across the bow or a wake up call if you will for Jimmy. A lot of those drops last year should never have happened, I don't care if he did have a bum wrist. This move just says, hey, you ain't worth much if you can't catch the ball. Just saying.

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

Ol Pat Ya-STINK-as... Trying to drum up some drama eh?

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

A grown man will cry if we dont pay the man. I also will be in a deep state of depression.

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

same old song about rookie contracts.

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

And the purpose of that "article"?

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

Ok thats a problem

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

This! :bng:

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

We will see if Jimmy is going to play out his contract or not. No matter what, an extensions needs to be done on this kid ASAP. I know we have zero cap room, but hopefully Loomis has something up his sleeve. Regardless, Jimmy has out played his contract. That goes without say. And the sooner we can lock him up long term the better.

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

Jimmy will get his deal. You can't pay everyone at one time. He is under contract and during the year they will start talks and at the beginning of next year he will have a new contract along the lines of Gronk, Hernandez and Gonzales. He's been in the league only 3 years, he will get his money next contract. After last year, he has no business even thinking about holding out.

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

Pat Snatchstinkus has so little dignity left his only validation comes from dupes rehashing his "reporting".

Stop clicking on his crap.

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

Jimmy Graham is probably my favorite on the Saints...

that said, he should honor his rookie contract through term...

if Graham and agent wants out of it early - there should be a discount with cap friendly terms...

and Graham should honor that contract through its term...

when players like Will Smith, Led Ellis and Roman Harper are willing to pay back money for not performing......then rookies who "outplay" their contract could be eligible for early arbitration or outright contract extensions...

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

Not worried. He sees teammates on his team play through their contracts quietly without complaining, and get paid well when it's time to renew (Brees, Colston, Evans). He sees guys on his team play quietly through their low contracts and move on to get big paydays elsewhere (Nicks, Bushrod) . He has seen guys on his team bicker, cause disturbances, get in trouble, or complain vocally about things, and he sees them get either shipped out into oblivion, benched or cut out of the coaching discussions (Reggie Bush, Jeremy Shockey, Chris "the coaches aren't talking to me" Ivory). That's why I'm not worried. The culture of this team (set by Payton and Drew Brees, who some people still seem to hate even though he set the tone for this) is to be a man about it, and play through your current contract, crying is for babies. Those who don't follow that dictum, who don't follow that system, they don't last here, and as we've seen time and again, the life outside the Saints doesn't always turn out for the better.

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

For the record has Graham complained about his current contract?

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

Not as much as the prognosticators.

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

I think he did mention that he wanted to be paid top TE money. Don't think that qualifies as complaining though.

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

He also has boxed him self in a corner lol.. Youth

He also said:

He would retire when Drew does. ~ no use giving him more than a 3 year contract lol

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

The news is jimmy will go balistics on the field in 13 and prove his worth for the a huge money deal or the tag which is more likely but still make more cash in the tag year than ever before. So we could see back to back bowl bowl years?

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

We've been searching for a TE like Graham since Cam Cleeland's leg exploded. He's also not a diva so I don't see him holding out or going for big money on a crap team. Sean will gouge out Mickey's eyeball if he lets Graham go.

Re: Saints' Watson to make more than Graham
 

Prognosticator's and Pundits make the off season go round! If Watson makes the team he will be TE #15 in the Payton era. Drew Brees has had 6 different clipboard holders.