Because the mantra coming out of his mouth was entirely opposite of his actions. Because he attempted to represent himself as "merely a pawn" of the NFLPA. Because he seemed to act as though the whole thing was out of his control. Because he was not a WR, was never a WR, still has never been a WR, and is never going to be a WR. He's a TE. I know it. You know it. His agent knew it. The NFLPA knew it. And, Jimmy knew it too.

At the end of the day, for whatever the reason(s) that you and I will surely never agree on, I lost a lot of respect for him.

Wait a minute. At NO point did Graham EVER attempt to represent himself as a pawn. Not one time. That was the opinion of the legal analysts and I, of course, agree. I used the word pawn. Perhaps you took that as being to strong. He was, of course, willing to go along with the NFLPA's wishes. Why not? What harm would there be to help clarify the designation rules?

And, at NO point did Graham EVER act as the whole thing was out of his control. Brees did comment in an interview that Graham was anxious to get the whole deal over with. That was the only mention of how Graham felt. That doesn't mean the "whole thing" was out of his control. I am saying that the idea to challenge belonged to the NFLPA and Graham obviously saw no reason to not challenge. What would it hurt. The vast majority of the time that litigation was occurring was during the down time between OTA's and training camp.

And, yes. Jimmy Graham even had his twitter signature stating he was an "NFL tight end" the whole time. But that doesn't explain why you are pissed off about it. It was simply a ruling that needed to be resolved within the CBA definitions.

Once again, why does it upset you so much? How did it affect you adversely?

Even if he was personally trying to get paid as a WR, what business is it of yours? Does it take money out of your pocket? How does it hurt you?

Your defense of the man and his actions speak much more loudly than my fair assessment of how he handled those negotiations. It is you, after all, who has proclaimed to have read every word written on the subject. He hid behind his agent and the NFLPA for more money, regardless of whether he was quoted in the papers as having said so outright. I can respect a player who has out-performed his contract and holds out, but I cannot respect a man who hides his agenda. I hope that helps.

So you are pissed off at him because you are convinced he had a hidden agenda. Seriously?

What could that personal agenda have been? The agenda was clearly stated as a to challenge defined franchise tag designations which had the possibility of helping many other NFLPA members. That's mighty magnanimous of him. Even if it was his agenda, who cares? Even if the NFLPA and the NFL front office were not involved (which they both were with a bank of lawyers on each side) it had no adverse affect on any of us, so why the bitterness? It is none of our business.

All that you have been able to describe of your dislike of Jimmy Graham concerning the "tag hearing" is that in your opinion he had some hidden agenda. What could that egregious agenda have been?

As far as how he "handled the negotiations", no negotiations took place until the franchise tag hearing was complete. It commenced on April 28, 2014 and was resolved on July 2, 2014. There were no negotiations during that time period. True negotiations did not begin until after July 2, 2014. Less than two weeks later he signed his four year, $40 million extension. That seemed to be fairly quick negotiating.

As an interesting side note, the 49er's were also waiting on the decision given that Vernon Davis was holding out for a better contract.

Dude, let it go already- I'll say what I want, when I want, why I want, and I'm not going to keep repeating my very sound reasoning to you. You either get it or you don't. Whatever already. Leave it be. Your defense of the man is kinda weird. It is not your job to stalk the forum defending the man at every turn.

Why on earth do you care so much what I think about a player not even on our team? Kinda weird. Do you keep a 'Jimmy Journal' under your freakin' pillow with every word ever written about the man? Seriously man. Let it the go already.

For real - the next time I make a crack about Jimmy and the NFLPA (and I absolutely will do that very thing) just breath deeply, or take a pill, or both, but try really hard not to try to convince me the 'poor guy' was a victim of circumstance, or that he was doing the right thing, or whatever it is that you think.

I DO NOT CARE.

I AM NEVER GOING TO BELIEVE YOUR TAKE.

If you love Jimmy this much (weird) then great. Rock on. Your obsession with the man is plain strange. Get yourself a Jimmy GB Packers jersey and sleep with it, or whatever, but do not ever believe that you will ever get me to believe what you believe. I have an uncanny ability to read between the lines, and I don't get man crushes on athletes.

Your ability to read between the lines is legendary, for sure ... in your own mind.



I have no "man crush" on Jimmy Graham. It is simply common knowledge why the challenge of the tag designation took place and it wasn't any "hidden agenda" by Graham (which for some reason has your panties in a wad). It has become very clear that you cannot look at this logically. I would have had the exact same stance if any other player in the league was in the situation to challenge the designation issue. Graham just happened to be the first.

Therefore, just enjoy your hatred! I'll be looking for your future injections of unwarranted disgust for Graham.

My friend you've got a problem. Stop worrying about what I think or why. Just LET IT GO. I've not seen this kind of stubborn ridiculousness since my freakin' ex-wife. You just can't help it can you? I'm sorry that you and I disagree, but you need to come to grips it.