I said he is asking nearly twice what they are offering. As I understand it the franchise tag is somewhere around 7 million, unless I'm off on that. But he wants to be designated as a WR so that he can make 12 million.

Just my opinion but the 12 million for the WR designation is like a counter offer against the 7 million TE designation.

Makes sense, 7 mill per year is far below market value and 12 is above. In a negotiation, if someone lowballs you, you counter with more than you want. In the end you negotiate down to what you expect.

PFF's Jahnke Value Model put Graham at $12.3 million last year.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blo...vm-tight-ends/

I understand what you're saying. I don't disagree with you at all on what the tactic is. But I'm saying that I don't think he's worth WR money, and I doubt the Saints do either. I'm sure they would be willing to pay more than 7 million, but since obviously negotiations aren't working they did what they had to do. Slap the franchise tag and hope he accepts it. Which of course he hasn't.

So it's not so much about the franchise tag as it is about him not being willing to accept a reasonable number on contract. Asylum will say there has been no offer, but you know there have been negotiations. It's ludicrous to think otherwise.

What did the Saints offer and he rejected that has you so mad?