saintsfan1976

What would you offer?

On June 8th, 2012. Rob Gronkowski signed a 6yr $53 m (16.5 guaranteed) with a $10m option in 2015 that would extent it to 2019.

That was the richest TE contract in history.

Statistically speaking, they're close in every category. Graham leads every category but he also played in 12 more games.

Gronk turned 23 in May, Graham will be 28 in November.

Many of us expect Graham to become the highest paid TE in NFL history but HOW do you write the contract?

hagan714

he has not put up the numbers to be the #1 paid TE in the NFL. top 5 sure but not #1. Gronk is a better blocker and more versatile than Jimmy. heck we have WR that are better blockers than Jimmy. Sorry Jimmy game is to one denominational to get that #1 rating.face it when Jimmy is on the field other players must pick up and cover for his short comings. that is an extra roster spot used right there. His game still needs a lot of work.

plus he has to have mismatches to succeed. Gronk can do a better job against any CB than Jimmy. Jimmy still does not have the positioning battle down just yet.

he is still learning and does not have a ton experience. remember he did not start playing football till his senior year. he has a ways to go

Talk about highest paid next time around

same contract giving yearly rate of about 9 million but 3 yrs.

let him make more with performance insensitive in the contract

with no option

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

saintsfan1976

Agree Graham has work to do but the fact that he's played the position this well in a short time time is staggering. (yes, having Brees helps). What does bother me is that he's not a better blocker at 6'7" and 265lbs...

The "guaranteed" money should play the biggest role in his new contract.

I could see appx $9.3m average over 5 years with $18-20m guaranteed.

Jack Vegas

I would base it around $9 million over 5 years with some incentive clauses kicking in if he improves on his blocking and route-running. and an option for the team to get out of the deal after the second year if he doesn't.

Love Jimmy as a dude but he is far from a complete player. The Saints can't be on the hook multiple years for that kind of money unless he starts improving his overall game.

QBREES9

Above my pay grade. Just get a deal done, and make a Happy Saint!

vtiger72

The average value is probably not the hold up; it's the guaranteed amount and how much Graham gets upfront.

SaintFanInATLHELL

I'm respectfully going to have to call BS on that. There simply isn't any number that applies to the TE position in the last 3 years that JG isn't #1 in.
None of those are numbers. As for Gronk, the most important number is that JG has played in 31 of the 32 last regular season games (and all the plyaoff games) while Gronk has only played in 18 of the last 32 games.

plus he has to have mismatches to succeed. Gronk can do a better job against any CB than Jimmy. Jimmy still does not have the positioning battle down just yet.
And he would kick it right back across the table, just as any reasonable person would. There are teams that will pay him $12 million right now if he were truly a free agent.

He's a 4 year veteran All-Pro NFL tight end. What happened in college is irrelevant. He's had the best 3 year run of a tight end in NFL history.

Honestly I'm so glad that Loomis is handling this. He, unlike many of the posters I've seen over the last few months, actually understands the value of his asset.

SFIAH

Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO

Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.

The Dude

I agree. He is a very good receiving TE but lacks the ability to block like other good TEs. He is often injured and gets the dropsies. He also can kind of disappear. I don't think he deserves top TE money. I agree that he is a top 5 and think he should receive right around what Gronk gets and only that much because of inflation of the players salaries from year to year. If we don't get a good deal on his contract Loomis will have to do some major shaking of the money tree to sign Nicks and Jordon next year.

hagan714

telling you if jimmy gets a 5 year deal and when 32 rolls around i am betting the saints will be repeating the will smith contract all over again.

no matter which of these big TE we talk about it is starting to prove that the new rules in tackling are shorting their time on the field. those miss matches we all love put them up against harder hitting players that under cut with force.

By the way i have seen Gronk's effect on the field for a few years now living in Pats country and his impact with out the ball is by far greater than anything jimmy can do. that is what separates them

both will be lucky to make it to 32 and have the same level of play they had even banged up as they were last year.

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

SmashMouth

League min, since he needs to work on his blocking still?