TheOak

+1 on the sense of humor, I sincerely hope it is still intact after reading my reply.

Collusion - The anti-collusion language in the CBA is not there to protect players, that is the agents job; it is also not there to protect either team from a bad deal, that is the job of the Director of Player personnel/ EVP-General Manager, Ryan Pace/Mickey Loomis in regards to the Saints.

The anti-collusion language is in the CBA to prevent impropriety and preserve the integrity of the CBA, Salary Cap, and in this case Franchise Tags. If Jimmy signs a long term deal it will certainly be one large enough to effect the Tight End franchise tag for the next 5 years. Re-read the definition of collusion you quoted and pay particular attention to it defining it as an agreement between 2-3 parties that has an impact on others, "others" being people that are not sitting at that table. It is far reaching in its implications.

OLD School - I see you use that term heavily to describe your self. Exactly how "OLD School" are you? Are we talking Beaver pelts on the banks of the mighty Missisip, or trading stone on the banks of the Nile River? In all of my years of hiring and being hired I have never come across a situation where a previous employer is given a call or sits in on a hiring interview/compensation negotiation. I have seen it where a spouse sits in and it never ends well, I have also had guardians of minors sit in when hiring someone under 18 years old at my request, simply because I want their guardian to understand my expectations and for me to understand theirs. But hey... If you want your old boss sitting in on your hiring process at a new employer, what ever floats your boat.

The reason a prospective employer would not call a current employer and give them a heads up is rather simple in concept. In this scenario, the new team doesn't want to have Loomis cave to Jimmy just to keep him as that would mean Loomis could either give Jimmy what ever he wants to prevent the meeting, or Loomis could jack his offer a little just enough to cause the new team to have to pay more. Jimmy Graham doesn't want both teams at the table either. Its poker and its hard to not tip your hand when someone os there that could inadvertently express approval or disapproval at an offer a third party made to him.

Cut throat business - I do agree that its not a good business practice because there is always the opportunity to have it done to you in return. It is a very haphazard business practice to not evaluate all of the possible ways you could get your throat cut before, during, and after negotiations. Entering into a deal of any sort with nothing but blind faith is a very risky proposition and will sooner or later end up in a bad deal. Trust no one in a multimillion dollar business deal and you will come out a heck of a lot better; just because I can see all of the ways I could get screwed, doesn't mean I am screwing anyone. When millions of dollars are on the table body language is read and everyone is under the looking glass.

Sproles - Sproles wish was to be released, not traded, so it was ignored.

Loomis's quote - '"Anytime you're in a good place and you've had success, which he's had with us, it's definitely painful to have the team say, 'We don't want you anymore,'" Loomis said. "But I'm not in the business of consulting players on the moves we make in management." The rule is the rule and exceptions are not the rule.

Mickey Loomis - I also believe his integrity is in tact. Loomis recognizes that neither the players or opposing teams are his enemy, his enemy is the CBA and Salary Cap. Loomis is good at his job, which is not to interpret the CBA and cap rules in a transparent, "spirit of", fashion. It is his job to find the holes in it, and exploit those holes to make it work for his employer.... Which sort of flys in the face of "old school", above board, transparent business practices that you have associated your self with.

The NFL is not one big happy family as you see it. It is a beast with multiple layers, and each layer has to watch out for it self.
Owners - They have yet to close the double-dip loop hole which allows a player to be paid by two teams in the same season.
NFLPA - Entered into the present CBA only looking at $ and never at the language that allowed Roger Goodell to act as appellate of his own rulings. Would never bring up the above Double-dip, they are fighting for players.
Agents - Out to reap from everyone.
Players - All want to get paid.

But I digress... The Saints have nothing to trade, once they do, there will be dead money associated. Loomis would not be at the table or on speaker phone if Graham negotiates with another team.

hagan714

for the love of god and all that is holy

tag sets a trade value for a player and indicates how serious a team is at keeping that player

the only twist is a player has the right to seek out teams.

the team tagging decides to match or not.

thats is it.

as long as he is unsigned it is really that simple.

once he signs then comes all the other crap.

there is no reason for sneaking and hiding behind close doors. it is out there for the world to see from day one

shame you never experienced business with common courtesy call involved. i have and it makes dealing with people in the future much easier. it sets a level of trust

as for darren i want this
team thats cool but we are offered this
let us reach a middle ground.

nothing in life is so cut and dry

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

vpheughan

I know how to settle this once and for all
POLL: WHAT IF? Graham could be traded?

Side POLL: How long is a piece of string?

This should be good for at least a couple of more pages!

TheOak

How long is it?

QBREES9

Ya just have to love April 1st.