Danno

Saints' Jimmy Graham designated as tight end, not wide receiver, for franchise tag purposes | gulflive.com

Saints' Jimmy Graham designated as tight end, not wide receiver, for franchise tag purposes

The Associated Press By The Associated Press
on March 03, 2014 at 6:17 PM, updated March 03, 2014 at 6:25 PM

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- The NFL has formally designated New Orleans' Jimmy Graham as a tight end for the purposes of his franchise tag value, which is now set at $7.05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal.

The designation was released Monday after the deadline passed for NFL teams to use franchise or transition tags on players becoming free agents.

Because Graham often split out from the offensive line as a receiver would, there have been questions concerning whether the NFL's collective bargaining agreement calls for Graham to have a receiver's tag, worth $12.1 million. Graham still could file a grievance, leaving an arbitrator to decide which tag is appropriate.

As a non-exclusive franchise player, Graham is free to negotiate an offer sheet with another NFL team. The Saints could either match that deal or accept two first-round draft picks as compensation.

Similarly, the Saints used their franchise tag on quarterback Drew Brees in March 2012, then needed a little more than four months to work out the five-year, $100 million deal Brees signed shortly before training camp.

Like Brees, Graham is represented by Creative Artists Agency. They do not have the same agent. Graham is represented by Jimmy Sexton and Brees by Tom Condon.

Graham has said publicly during the Pro Bowl in February that it would be "unfortunate," if the team used the franchise tag on him, but on Friday he reacted to the move with subtle humor.

Afterward, Graham wrote on his Twitter account, "Confirming it's officially Franchisefriday... TAG ... I guess I'm it."

Graham, a former college basketball who played one year of football at Miami, was drafted by the Saints in 2010. Last season, he led the Saints in catches with 86, yards with 1,215 and touchdowns with 16.

He has led the Saints in catches in each of the past three seasons, while leading the club in yards receiving and touchdowns in two of the last three seasons. During the past three regular seasons combined, he has 270 catches for 3,507 yards and 36 touchdowns.

saintfan

We owe 7. He wants 12. Give him 9 point whatever makes him make just a little more than Gronk, because he's earned it.

Not a dollar more.

Danno

I say stick with 7, so we can sign more key players

SmashMouth

Trade for four number ones ...

amazin15

Herschel Walker 2.0?

Saintaintso

That might really change the game ... A team can offer him 10 , and we'd get our 1sts

rezburna

I don't know if anyone is dumb enough to give up two 1sts for a TE, just to turn around and give him $12 million a year. We'll likely get stuck with this bad contract thats coming. So we make the playoffs, no Super Bowl though

alleycat_126

Yeah but what 1sts, it would be worth it if it was a team like the Rams, but not so much if the Patriots or Seattle stepped to the plate.

davethe3

Extra picks are extra picks ...especially with this being a deep draft. ... we won tge Super Bowl without Graham. ..we'll be fine

QBREES9

We new this, he's a tight end.