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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

RockyMountainSaint

He plays under the tag or he holds out.

We don't know.

5-0 Who Dat?

hagan714

either way mickey has his work cut out for himself

i see almost all the FA we have walking at seasons end unless they come up some really creative contracts.

good luck mickey the draft could be very interesting next year.

Srgt. Hulka

Well crap....Here we go again....

hagan714

hate to say it but 2 more years of this. Big Key is what Drew will do to help out. i can not wait to see that deal reworked. talk about an instant pay day.

Seer1

I don't live there, but I'd totally support anyone who makes it their mission to piss in the gumbo of any sports writer who addresses this again before the end of the season.

xan

Hence the problem with dedicating 30% of available cap space to one player. We could have as much as 40% tied up in 2 players.

What players fail to understand is that the whole team must win for them to be worth anything. If there was cap space to sign a few more quality o-lineman, Brees may make it to the end of the season to continue to pass to Graham. The synergy of the combination of players is what makes them valuable. That Colston is just as dangerous and that Sproles/PT screen threat puts a slower defender on Graham undermines the argument that he has a competitive value rather than a situational value. Just the same as Brees' value is diminished without his weapons or mastermind coach.

Calvin: "I wish I was a Tiger."
Hobbes: "Common lament."

Budsdrinker

Some vets will be released, Brees will restructure and Graham will be signed for 6 years $9.75 million per year.

Mardigras9

Way too early in the season for this talk.

Danno

Its why we went to a youth movement.

I don't expect to see Vilma, Smith, Harper, Greer, Moore, Jenkins and several other high priced players here next year.

I think we have numerous high dollar contracts coming off the books next year.