WhoDat!656

It’s been nearly three weeks since the NFL’s Management Council decided that Jimmy Graham should be treated as a tight end for franchise tag purposes. To date, Graham has not filed a grievance challenging the designation.

The labor deal gives him 50 days from the application of the tight end version of the tag to file a grievance. Both the team and Graham’s agents have remained tight lipped over the last few weeks, amid speculation that negotiations on a long-term deal are proceeding.

Absent a long-term deal, it would be a shock if a grievance isn’t filed before April 22, the 50th day after the determination that Graham is a tight end for tag purposes. And if a grievance is filed, the outcome will hinge on whether Graham’s snaps taken while lined up in the slot are deemed snaps taken as a tight end or a receiver. With 45 percent of his total snaps taken from that position, the bucket into which those snaps land will determine his status for tag purposes.

Meanwhile, any team interested in giving up a pair of first-round picks for Graham could sign him to an offer sheet. Through nearly two weeks of free agency, no one has shown an interest in that possibility.

Still no Graham grievance, nearly three weeks after tag was applied | ProFootballTalk

"A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."

Utah_Saint

It's gotta hurt his chances (if any) of negotiating with another team without settling the position designation.

And he has to know that.

Michigan_SF

I don't rep any athletes but when I file an administrative appeal or court petition for a client, I usually file on the last day, usually so I can build the strongest possible record.

ChrisXVI

It's all a media creation. They painted a picture like it would be some kind of epic battle over the franchise tag designation and it's not. Jimmy knows a long-term deal will get done so he probably doesn't care as much as the media thinks he should.

hagan714

April 22 is the day the drama may end or may not.

then again a long term deal near?

a trade in the works? no not for two first.

love the off season suspense

Cay__jay

This entire situation is petty. Everyone is OVERREACTING! The saints know they have a once in a generation player in Jimmy Graham, and they will try and sign him to a deal that will be so long that he retires before he finishes it. The media and everyone who buys into them are just making this into something it's not. Why bite the hand that feeds you? Jimmy knows the Saints will pay him. Good things come to those who wait.

TheOak

Doesn't mater at all, our FT cost whether it 7m or 12m doesn't effect any contract agreement between Jimmy Graham and another team. Also as soon as Jimmy comes to an agreement with another team for a contract, the NEFT value is off the table. At that point we either match or let him go.

Rugby Saint II

I like the way that Graham is handling this. Be quiet and let your agent do his job.
I can't wait to see him next season when Drew isn't force feeding him the ball. We should have more weapons after the draft and free agency for our coaches to take the pressure off Jimmy. That and a stouter O-line to open holes and protect Drew will be just what the doctor ordered.

ScottF

exactly-
very, very, likely that JG will make more than the TE tag #. Not very likely he will make the WR #. Neither number matters when a team offers him a contract
Now it's just a matter of how much someone will offer, if anything. Gotta figure we offered at least $8.5 or 9, so Graham and his agent are waiting for more. Pretty obvious that they haven't gotten it.
The question is, what is OUR magic number... how much will we match?

TheOak

This is a chess match and it will go in moves. JG was tagged with a 7m tag, and presently there are long term contract negotiations going on.... The negotiations are just both sides passing the time hoping the other side gets nervous and caves in. If neither side caves before the FT grievance deadline (50 days from tag application) comes JG will file his appeal that day, and it will run its course. Even if the grievance is filed it gives neither side leverage and the blah blah blah negotiations continue until someone folds.... Keep in mind JG wants a long term deal, not a 12m FT, the signing bonus for the long term deal will be a good. It more than the 12m, and he has security after that with guaranteed money. 12m FT means he gets 12m this year but if he has a career ending injury he is done.

Loomis has all of the leverage and all the cards. Someone made a comment about lawyers letting things drag till the last minute, well every minute that passes reduces Jimmy's chances of getting what he wants. Graham was tagged March 3rd and April 21st/22nd is the deadline to files grievance.

If Jimmy has a 9m offer on the table, and the grievance ends with his tag being worth 7m he loses 3m, this season, and he will be tagged again next season.

Jimmy hasn't filed because he knows he could lose out.

Remember that Loomis holds the ultimate trump card. If a ruling comes down from the grievance arbitrator, and the FT for Graham is 12-13M, Loomis can ultimately rescind the FT offer, offer him 10m or the road. If Jimmy takes the road, we gain 7m in cap space, while Jimmy Graham hits a free agent market where most teams have burnt the majority of their cap space and have enough to sign draft picks and start the season.. He no longer has his choice of 31 teams so to speak.


It's a game of chicken.