Saintswrath

The Saints were not close to a new deal with hybrid tight end Jimmy Graham prior to the start of the season and a failure to land one by February would surely end up with him getting the franchise tag, with no organization letting a talent like him hit the open market. With so many teams using multiple tight ends with varied job descriptions, and clubs attempting passes at a staggering rate, it seems inevitable at some point this distinction will be challenged.

And if Graham, on a record-setting pace for New Orleans this season, got the tag, expect the NFLPA and NFL to end up in arbitration over Graham's true position. Though he plays tight end, Graham is at the vanguard of the growing trend of spread formations with tight ends in the slot or out wide, and not used nearly as much in the traditional role of engaging as a blocker at the point of attack. He is a size, speed and strength matchup nightmare for defensive backs on the outside, and his focal point in the New Orleans offense -- like anAntonio Gates or a Rob Gronkowski -- is catching balls.

Last year, tight end Jared Cook was pursuing a similar argument had the Titans franchise him -- they were not up for the fight and he ended up signing with the Rams in free agency -- but if Graham is tagged there is no doubt he would. Consider, if the 2014 salary cap is around $127M, then the tight end tag would be $6.7M, while the receiver tag would be $11.6. That's a staggering difference on a one-year deal.

Read full: What happens if the Saints decide to franchise Jimmy Graham? - CBSSports.com

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