Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

Not only have the Saints franchise tagged Jimmy Graham -- which will likely result in a fight about whether Graham should be classified as a tight end or a receiver -- but New Orleans reportedly has raised the possibility that Graham might not even play for the Saints in 2014.

That's because, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, the Saints have placed the non-exclusive tag on Graham, meaning another team could give New Orleans two first-round picks in exchange for Graham. Or the Saints could always match the contract terms of what somebody would offer Graham, keeping him safely on their own roster.



Report: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag - CBSSports.com

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

i will prefer 2 1st round picks..... we got to the superbowl w/o him before so how come 2 1st round pick be less than his value? plus think of the less cap strap we will be to sign cameron & hicks

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

Giving up two first rounders and a huge contract is a lot for a team to give. Not sure if anyone is going to bite, BUT if they do I don't see the Saints being able to match a huge offer and he will be sent packing. The two first rounders will be nice, but I'm going to hate to see him go : (

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

I personally am all for this decision. It lets the market set his true value and allow others to pay his price tag of $12 mil/year. If this indeed happens then we have the choice to match or take two 1st rounders, which i am coo wit either or. We can trade one of the 1st rounders for other picks in this years draft. Maybe a 2 & 3 or what have you. We'll see what goes down this off season

Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

2^ Been repeating this for a while now. Know why we haven't heard of any team getting two first round picks for a NEFT?

Who in their right mind would give up $12m what it will take JG to sign an offer letter AND 2 FRDPs.


Mike Ditka wouldn't make that kind of deal.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

We all love Jimmy Graham and would hate to see him go... But we don't love him more than the Saints. I don't see him leaving because as Oak said, no-one in their right mind would make that move.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

Actually to tell you the truth this is one of the players I put into being bigger than the team, I apprieciate his character, his honesty, his work ethic...... Me being a fan of his would follow him to what ever team he goes to. I couldn't pull myself to rooting for the team he winds up with but... I would cheer for him if he goes to another team.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

I agree about always being a fan of his if he were to sign elsewhere... I just meant that I want what's best for the Saints, not what's best for Jimmy Graham. I'm pretty sure what Jimmy's agent wants is not what's best for the Saints.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

And who could begrudge Graham? He's been paid a relative pittance so far in his four-year NFL career. He's earned a total of $2.4 million, or about a third of what the Saints paid defensive lineman Brodrick Bunkley the past two seasons alone.

Hometown discount? Graham has been giving the Saints one for the past three seasons. Since becoming a full-time starter in 2011, Graham has set new standards for tight end prolificacy.

His averages of 90 catches, 1,169 yards and 12 touchdowns over the past three seasons dwarf those of the league's second-best tight end, Rob Gonkowski (61; 903; 10.7), and compare favorably with top wide receivers like Dez Bryant (83; 1,181; 11) and A.J. Green (87; 1,277; 9.6)


PAY DA MAN, yeah i said it.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

Highest paid TE sure he deserves that, top wide receiver pay.....no. If they pay him that we won't have an OL so Jimmy won't be catching anything cause Brees will be on his back all game. Like watching him play but 2 first round picks will make me feel better about him leaving.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

I don't like this..

Hopefully he still ends up a Saint.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

Just looking at teams cap space it wouldn't surprise me if some teams did make a offer though I expect any offer from the Clowns to be after the draft.
They will loose White soon and need a TE. Washington has the space but no pick this year.
Colts, both New York teams have enough space especially the Jets.Miami need more weapons for Tannehil.

Going to be a interesting 2 months that's for sure.I still tjink a deal will be done thst will be a back ended deal to free up space this year and to gradually increase with the cap.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

ok lets do this.

Finally admit as a TE he suxs. he can not block to save his life

As a WR he is the balls.

so that means we would basically have 20 million of the cap invested in colston and graham. them add in drew and well dam that is a lot of the cap tied up at three positions but key positions in this offense. Off the three Colston has declined and not been worth the money he has gotten in the last contract. thus the fear we have of jimmy getting the cash.

Injuries for both have increased in the past two years which IMO is do to over use. Tall WR and the new rules of tackling have put a self life on these type of players. just to many hits low

what a mess. I think the nfl will learn x basketball players types have a very short shelf life in the NFL and the NFL is to blame.

so it maybe wise to to think about the two first or sign him to a not so long contract and see how it works out. time it with drews departure. by then i think he will only be good for a set amount of games each year. and every year that number of available games will drop.

If this is true we will wish we took the picks if there is not a super bowl victory in there some where.

who is close enough to make a run and believe Jimmy would put them over the top?

New England? Brady aint getting any younger. but that always low first picks and they seldom part with picks. hmmmm rams? mid one this year and next? cards? it will be interesting to see who the suitors are

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

I don't think we will get two 1st round picks for him but I will cross my fingers. I believe Loomis knows a team want do this and when it's time he will offer Graham a contract of what Loomis thinks he is worth and not a penny more, to be honest Loomis could low ball him if he wanted to. I'm hoping for the picks myself, badly

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

I wouldn't count out Seattle of trying to nab Jimmy. They pick last this year and next year will likely be picking late again.The clowns would love him but wouldn't make a offer till after the draft as they wont want to give up the early pick this year.
Giants need a new toy with loosing Nicks

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

I wonder if the falcons make him an offer. They've got lots of cap room.

On one hand, with Gonzo retiring and White losing a step Graham might be just what they need.

On the other hand, they could really use those picks to try to put together an offensive and defensive line.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

Thats why I could see the offer coming after the draft. Use the early pick for a lineman. Screw the Saints and if they make the playoffs they loose later picks next year.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

We all know Jimmy doesn't play well in Seattle ;).

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

It's not going to be a smooth offseason. The Saints aren't going to bust their cap and no other team will part with the picks. Then, Jimmy will most likely hold out. If Sererian-Jenkins or Amaro are there at 27, I would take them without blinking. Jimmy is not and most likely will never be a complete TE in the NFL. He doesn't have the desire or meanness to block. However, he is a weapon. A valuable weapon. Thus, next season, the Saints will have both or if Jimmy holds out, the Saints are covered. The Saints can still get what they need out of the draft with the later picks.

1. TE Seferian-Jenkins
2. CB Jean-Baptiste
3. OLB Attaochu
4. C Stork
5. WR Janis
6. K Boswell

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

Exactly my thought. What do we OWE Jimmy Graham?
Yes, HE signed his rookie contract, and who would know how unbelievably great he would turn out? Well, maybe Loomis, who 'gambled' on a 3rd round pick AND had the foresight to offer a 4 year deal.

Let's say we do pay him the 12. (obviously we won't). Over the next 4 years, that would make JG's career avg salary $6.3mil. Every team in the league would pay that for his numbers.

We look at JG's agent's 'insane' demands and are appalled. Consider it back pay and it's easier to take.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

Doesn't work that way, unless all the busts are also forced to give the owner back all the money they didn't earn.

Rookie contracts are for earning what the owner/GM think you'll be worth.

You 2nd/3rd/4th contract is based on what the owner/GM think you'll be worth.

The only way to make that a bit more fair is to go to one year contracts for everyone, or base each players pay on what they did the previous season. Play 1st, then get paid for how well you did.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

Honestly guys, what team in their right mind would give a first round pick this year and next year plus take on his salary??? They made this deal so outrageous that I cant possibly see any team with 1/2 a brain take this offer.

Seriously, play GM here for a minute, would you give a first rounder this year, next year and 12 mil for one player? No way in hell.

They will ink out a deal but this will linger most of the offseason.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

Hold up your end of the bargin hommie.

New Orleans Saints' Jimmy Graham says he'll retire when Drew Brees retires - Video | NOLA.com

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

Yeah, I know it doesn't... just wanted to give some perspective with all the Graham indignation going on.

I like your line of thinking...Can we get Jimmy a signing bonus check with the names Sullivan, Smith or Ellis on the signature line?

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

It is looking less and less like we can afford him.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

Expanding on this a bit...the more I think about it, the more I realize it was a GENIUS move with some nice potential. IF a team makes him an offer, it's probably going to be discounted because they are also having to give up two first rounders in addition to his salary (my whole analysis is dependent on this - if someone throws huge money at him then my argument fails lol)...So let's say someone does make him a offer. It will most likely be less than the WR tag we will have to pay without them making him an offer and even less than what he is looking for in a long term deal. It sets us up for a potential DISCOUNT. Then instead of matching their lowball offer, we turn round and ink him for a better long term deal than he was offered (but still lower than what we would have paid without letting other teams make offers) and become the saving grace. Everyone is happy.

Am I delusional or does this make perfect sense?

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

They have to better the offer he is currently under. I can't see a team pulling the trigger on a deal like this. About half of them could with the cap space but giving up two 1st rounders??? yikes.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

The Saints have had 15 TE's in the Payton era, what's one more?

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

Consider 8-8 and 9-7 or one and done in the playoffs the residual effect of giving a TE $12 million a year.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

I am not advocating paying him 12mill.
My point is everyone is saying he is crazy bc his is supposedly asking for $4mil more than he is worth, but no one had a problem when he made $4mil less than his worth

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

I like our backups. They will not put up JG numbers but they will not get JG money either. May just be time to cut him loose. 2 rd 1's from the right team would be awesome. We could resign Zach and DLP with money left over. This could be the start of multiple Superbowls.


I would not pay over 8.5 a year for him. He said before that as long as Drew is a Saint than he will be also. Lets call him on it.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

When he signed the contract nobody knew he'd produce the way he has. I watched him at Miami. Dropped pass after pass. I was pissed we drafted him. He proved me wrong in a lot of ways. I rather have Vernon Davis though. And I agree, nobody had anything to say when he was getting underpaid, but nobody would've been mad if we gave him $7 or $8 million last year or the year before. He knew the whole time he was going to wait until now and chase double figures. In no way do I believe we haven't offered him an extension before this year.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

The Pats would not bulldoze their cap with a similar signing... Why should we?

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

The Pats currently have the highest paid TE in the NFL. The diff is they have significantly less money tied up at QB.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

I'd send his huge contract to another team for 1 more first round draft pick, if we got a top 10 pick and then pick at 27 I'd be happy to send him packing

we won a superbowl without him

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

Sorry but if some team offers us two first rounders for him and the FO doesn't take it they are idiots.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

If there's no news create news, huh ESPN? Jimmy ain't going no where. plain and simple

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

Traditionally 2xFirst round draft picks would only go to an elite QB.

All this NEFT did was what it was intended to do. Buy Loomis some time, I believe we have until mid July to sign Kimmy to a long term deal.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

All I can say to Jimmy is, did you see what happened to Robert Meachem? Do you see how relieved and happy he was to get back to NO? That'll be you in two years. You have to remember, Drew is a large part of JG's success. Going elsewhere doesn't guarantee continued success or a ring. I think the Saints are seeing if Graham is gonna go against his word and catch passes from another QB.

Re: Saints could lose Jimmy Graham with non-exclusive tag
 

Jimmy benefits from paytons system and drews knowledge of the game

if he goes to another team and has to play TE, he will struggle because he can't block

he isn't worth 12 mil, talking all that BS shouting at seahawks players pregame and then wimped out when earl thomas hit him a couple times