ScottF

Very interesting points made in regards to Graham's future contract:

The reason the Saints list Jimmy Graham as a Tight End and not a Wide Receiver is easy. He's set to be a free agency in 2014 and they will likely apply the Franchise tag. This year, a WR franchise tag would pay him about $10.54 million, but a TE franchise tag is worth $6.07 million. Jared Cook's agents tried to get the Titans to use the WR tag on him. 



Intriguing! ESPN Stats & Info sent me some fascinating numbers on this one. Through 12 weeks, Graham has played 486 offensive snaps — 317 pass routes and 169 other snaps (either pass or run blocking). So let's split up his receiving stats into these three categories: lined up on the line as a TE, in the slot, or on the outside as a WR. Here are the numbers …

On line as TE: 63 routes, 21 targets, 13 catches, 314 yards, 4 TDs
Slot receiver: 158 routes, 49 targets, 34 catches, 423 yards, 4 TDs
Wide outside: 96 routes, 26 targets, 18 catches, 209 yards, 3 TDs

So he has run 80 percent of his pass routes as a slot guy or receiver. Wait, it gets better. Forty-one tight ends have run more routes on the line than Graham, including such luminaries as Jeron Mastrud (71), Allen Reisner (70) and Vance McDonald (70). Graham's 13 catches lined up on the line as a tight end are 23rd in the league. Graham has 632 yards from the slot or split wide, 49 more than any other TE. Graham's 52 catches from the slot or split wide are tied with Tony Gonzalez for most among TEs. And Graham's 75 targets from the slot or split wide are second in the league (Gonzalez, 77).
So you tell me … is Jimmy Graham really a tight end?

Bill Simmons's mailbag and Week 13 in the NFL - Grantland