Re: Loomis: Saints will franchise Graham as a tight end if no long-term deal
 

There is a little more to it than that.

In layman terms Non-exclusive means Jimmy would be offered the NEFT of 6.9M, from there he could go out and interview with anyone he wants to. If he get an offer in excess of the 6.9M he was offered, lets say the Falcons offer Jimmy 9m, the Saints have the right to match it and retain Jimmy. If the Saints chose not to match it then they have the right to two first round draft picks.

Now the NEFT is a cheaper tag than the EFT but has the risk of having to pay a lot more to keep the player.

NRFT is basically to test the market to find a players true perceived value.

Since this is Jimmy Graham we are talking about, I ask you... Is two first round draft picks worth facing him twice a year if he plays for Carolina... Atlanta.... Tampa bay?

Re: Loomis: Saints will franchise Graham as a tight end if no long-term deal
 

Yep. All you need is a corner or safety willing to be rough with him and he'll disappear.

Hell, trade Jimmy Graham for Earl Thomas or Richard Sherman straight up.

I'd love to keep you Jimmy, but I damn sure don't want to see us overpay you.

Re: Loomis: Saints will franchise Graham as a tight end if no long-term deal
 

Re: Loomis: Saints will franchise Graham as a tight end if no long-term deal
 

I'll go out on a limb here in regards to a QB. Sean will not draft out next starting QB, it ill come via free agency just like Drew did. Knowing he had the #2 pick in that draft he didn't take a QB. Ill admit the draft class for QBs wasn't stellar but he didn't know that then.

Young
Leinart
Cutler
Jackson

He was strategic in his decision because he wanted a QB that was up and running... I see him doing the same for our next starting QB.

Re: Loomis: Saints will franchise Graham as a tight end if no long-term deal
 

Yes!! Two 1st rounders could go a long way.

Re: Loomis: Saints will franchise Graham as a tight end if no long-term deal
 

Yep.. We could end up with the next Ricky Williams and Donte' Stallworth, or perhaps another Will Smith. Sounds like a fair trade for Jimmy Graham.. :rolleyes:

How underwhelming.

Re: Loomis: Saints will franchise Graham as a tight end if no long-term deal
 

Wow...are we really talking about letting Graham walk away for 2 draft picks? We get one Kenny Vaccaro and one Cam Jordan and we forget everyone else that gets/got crucified here weekly: Ingram, Ellis, Bush, Meachem, Jenkins and Robinson., and it is even WORSE before that.
I guess I would stick with the proven top 3 guy at his position before I traded for a potential bust

Re: Loomis: Saints will franchise Graham as a tight end if no long-term deal
 

I rather have jimmy than not plus hes already grown with Brees and we know how Drew likes his security blanket. I honestly don't think its all about the money with Jimmy.

If hes willing to leave the game when Drew does and not have a Gonzo type career it must not be about money.

Re: Loomis: Saints will franchise Graham as a tight end if no long-term deal
 

Welcome to the business season.