Arbitrator rules Jimmy Graham is a tight end

[ThomasTomasz]

Just like his Twitter bio says, Jimmy Graham is, in fact, a tight end. That's the ruling from arbitrator Stephen Burbank, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. And unlike Twitter, this has franchise-tag implications for the Saints' playmaker.

Now Graham, who hinted that he would file a grievance if he was franchised as a tight end, will make $5.3 million less in 2014 than he would if was recognized as a wide receiver; franchised tight ends will make $7 million while wide receivers will get $12.3 million.

Next up: Graham can appeal the decision within 10 days to a three-member appeals panel. He could also refuse to sign the franchise tender and sit out the 2014 season. Tagged players have until July 15 to work out a long-term contract with the team, and they have until Nov. 11 to sign their tenders.

The ruling gives the Saints leverage ahead of any contract talks. The team can franchise Graham again following the 2014 season -- as a tight end (which is expected to be $8.46 million in '15).

According to ESPN.com's Mike Triplett, "Graham and the NFLPA were banking on the notion that Burbank would assign a more literal definition to the wording in the collective bargaining agreement, which states that the franchise-tag designation is based on the position 'at which the Franchise player participated in the most plays during the prior League Year.'"

Back in March, Saints quarterback Drew Brees offered Graham advice that remains relevant in light of the latest development: "I just told him be patient," Brees said. "Don't get frustrated. Don't take it personally. It's part of the deal and it's hard and ... you just want it to be over. You want certainty. That's the hardest part."

In case there was any doubt, Graham is one of the league's most dynamic players. He had 86 receptions for 1,215 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, and was the No. 1 rated tight end, according to Football Outsiders.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...jimmy-graham-is-te-for-franchise-tag-purposes

This certainly isn't over, as Graham is certain to appeal. The question is, does this damage the relationship between the Saints and Graham to the point that he wouldn't sign an extension with them?

 

[Senser81]

LOL at the "and was the #1 rated TE, according to Football Outsiders". More 'hard-hitting analysis' from those fools...Graham has more receptions, yards and TDs than any other TE in the NFL last year...thanks for the heads-up that Graham is the #1 rated TE, Football Outsiders! I bet when Carl Yastrzemski won the triple crown in 1967, Football Outsiders concluded he was the #1 rated LF in the AL that year.

 

[buckeye]

Well he is a tight end. Yes he does play a lot of slot receiver to create mismatches but he even referred to himself as a tight end until his contact was up.

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[ThomasTomasz]

It also didn't help his Twitter account that he set up says he is a tight end as well.

 

[Tailback U]

How does this work with other positions like OLB/DE in a 3-4 vs 43 D?

I can't see the NFL bending rules for these types of "tweeners" or out of position players because it would create a slippery slope.

Sucks for Graham, only making $7 million this year, I really feel awful for him.

 

[MrBill]

I feel bad for Graham (as bad as I can for somebody making $7M a year anyhow) as he is obviously the Saints primary receiver. It seems to me they are being penny wise and pound foolish since this likely poisons any future hopes to sign Graham to a long term deal.

 

[Senser81]

I feel bad for Graham (as bad as I can for somebody making $7M a year anyhow) as he is obviously the Saints primary receiver. It seems to me they are being penny wise and pound foolish since this likely poisons any future hopes to sign Graham to a long term deal.

Usually teams franchise a player when they don't want to sign them to a long term deal, so not really following your logic. If the Saints were going to sign Graham to a long term deal, they would have done so already and not used the franchise tag.

 

[MrBill]

Usually teams franchise a player when they don't want to sign them to a long term deal, so not really following your logic. If the Saints were going to sign Graham to a long term deal, they would have done so already and not used the franchise tag.

I agree with how you are saying the tag is typically applied to players you don't want for a long term deal but outside of Brees, Graham is the best player on the Saints roster. Stranger things have happened with NFL front offices but it just seems asinine to piss off your youngest superstar when you might only have 1-2 seasons tops left with Brees. Has anyone been able to solve the puzzle of what the Saints bigger goal is here outside of alienating Graham?

 

[Senser81]

Has anyone been able to solve the puzzle of what the Saints bigger goal is here outside of alienating Graham?

Managing the cap? People said the same thing when the Bears were trying to lowball Matt Forte a few years ago...and he's still a Bear. I would guess that if Graham becomes a FA, and the Saints have the highest offer, Graham will overcome his alienation and follow the money.

 

[KNUBB]

This certainly isn't over, as Graham is certain to appeal. The question is, does this damage the relationship between the Saints and Graham to the point that he wouldn't sign an extension with them?

We must remember this isn't fully a Saints versus Graham situation but rather a Player versus SHIELD. The NFLPA got this whole thing going.

 

[KNUBB]

Usually teams franchise a player when they don't want to sign them to a long term deal, so not really following your logic. If the Saints were going to sign Graham to a long term deal, they would have done so already and not used the franchise tag.

This is also murky. Jimmy was offered a 6 year 65M dollar contract that he rejected because he felt he should be paid like a WR. Saints tagged him to keep him for the time being to come to a new deal. Since Jimmy no longer has that leverage going into arbitration he will most likely sign that original offer

 

[Aso]

This is also murky. Jimmy was offered a 6 year 65M dollar contract that he rejected because he felt he should be paid like a WR. Saints tagged him to keep him for the time being to come to a new deal. Since Jimmy no longer has that leverage going into arbitration he will most likely sign that original offer

If he did reject that contract then I feel no sympathy for Graham whatsoever. That would've made him the highest paid TE in the league.

 

[KNUBB]

If he did reject that contract then I feel no sympathy for Graham whatsoever. That would've made him the highest paid TE in the league.

He will still be the highest paid TE, but either his agent or NFLPA made it messy

 

[MrBill]

This is also murky. Jimmy was offered a 6 year 65M dollar contract that he rejected because he felt he should be paid like a WR. Saints tagged him to keep him for the time being to come to a new deal. Since Jimmy no longer has that leverage going into arbitration he will most likely sign that original offer

Isn't $10M a year WR pay? That would make sense that the Saints were trying to get him back to the original offer since it is higher than the franchise tag that Graham would get now that arbitration has ruled against him.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

 

[buckeye]

I saw that yesterday and was just about to post it.

Basically yep Browns are screwed. Pretty sure he is in a contract year.

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