Im a little confused and down right bored with this thought process that Jimmy played in the slot so is a WR rather than a TE.



What does Slot Receiver Mean?
A type of receiver in football who lines up between the split end ("X receiver") and flanker ("Z receiver") and the center and is eligible to receive the ball. This type of receiver is also known as a "slot receiver" or "tight end".

Wes Welker, Percy Harvin, Danny Amendola, and Victor Cruz are all examples of top notch slot receivers.


Slot Receiver Definition
Sporting Charts explains Slot Receiver
A Y receiver will be lined up between the split end or the flanker and the linemen. The position on the field is determined by which of the other receivers the Y receiver is paired up with. If paired with a flanker, the Y receiver will be on the scrimmage line. If paired with a split end, the Y receiver will be off the line of scrimmage.

Y receivers specialize in either catching the ball and being an outlet receiver or blocking and being part of the running game. As an outlet receiver, the Y receiver will catch the ball should the quarterback not have the time to find a receiver. For a Y receiver in the running game, the priority will be to block and open a path to the runner with the ball.


Slot receiver (Y or SL): A less-formal name given to receivers in addition to split ends and flankers (for example, tight-ends who line up wide). These receivers line up between the split end/flanker and the linemen. If aligned with a flanker, the slot receiver is usually on the line of scrimmage, and if with a split end, off the line of scrimmage. As with the flanker position, a featured receiver often takes a slot position with a split end to avoid jamming.


Considering the era he played in the stats of Graham and a HOF TE Kellen Winslow are similar.At his peak in a more physical NFL he was a 85-90 Reception,1100 yards,8-11 TD receiving TE. Playing today he would be putting up numbers that shame every TE in the league.


Since when did a man that only played 22% of his snaps outside the traditional Inline TE and the Slot actually become a WR.By that logic im guessing that Tony Gonzalez will not be entering the HOF as a TE or Winslow was put in on the wrong position?

Brandon Gibson
Randell Cobb
Eddie Royal
Wes Welker
Tavon Austin
Jericho Cotchery
all lined up at the wide out position LESS than Graham did.

Jason Avant
Danny Amendola
Santana Moss
lined up wide about the same percentage of the time as Graham.

Wouldn't they all have be designated as Tight Ends?

Which shows the point that the league is changing.
The old TE of just sitting down on the line and blocking doesnt exists.
Maybe there is a case for the TE position to not exists anymore and for receivers are just put into one group but while the position exists a player drafted as a TE,listed as a TE,played Probowls as a TE makes,all Pro as a TE he is a TE

Brandon Gibson

Randell Cobb

Eddie Royal

Wes Welker

Tavon Austin

Jericho Cotchery

all lined up at the wide out position LESS than Graham did.



Jason Avant

Danny Amendola

Santana Moss

lined up wide about the same percentage of the time as Graham.



Wouldn't they all have be designated as Tight Ends?

What you are missing about lee's post is that "slot receiver" is not a Wide Receiver position, it is not a position of any sort, it is a role that multiple positions line up in TE, RB, WR.



Similar to holder for the place kicker... Scat back is not a position either.



Graham didnt line up as a tackle which is a position, he lined up in a role.

The CBA outlines the positions, if a guard plays tackle then that is a position, not a role.

I didn't miss it. As a matter of fact, that's the whole point.

Graham lined up as a wide out more than any of those players. Why would they be any more of a wideout than Graham.

You are still missing it. "Slot Receiver" is not a Wide Receiver owned role. He didn't line up as a Wide Receiver, he lined up as a slot...

Just because traditionally a Wide Receiver lines up in the slot doesn't make it a Wide Receiver position... Just line a kick returner is not a Wide Receiver even though that role is normally played by Wide Receivers.
2013 NFL Player Returning Stats - National Football League - ESPN

In the strict language of the CBA there is no such position as a "wide out" or a "slot receiver".


BTW Jimmy Graham has the right to challenge and has chosen not to.

No, once again, I'm not missing it. Maybe if I put it this way.



Try not to think about the time at slot receiver.



Why would player A that only lines up wide 20% of the time be a wide receiver and player B that lines up at the wide receiver spot 25% not be a wide receiver?



Yes, I realize Graham hasn't filed a grievance. I don't think he will. Losing the appeal would cost him more in the negotiations than winning it could gain him. This is purely theoretical.