Arbitrator Rules Graham A Tight End

[ABQCOWBOY]

Jimmy Graham ruled a tight end
Updated: July 2, 2014, 1:43 PM ET By Mike Triplett | ESPN.com

Jimmy Graham is a tight end after all.

In a groundbreaking decision, the NFL has confirmed that arbitrator Stephen Burbank denied Graham's request to officially be declared a wide receiver under the NFL's franchise-tag rules.

Click here to read the entire article:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/1...les-jimmy-graham-new-orleans-saints-tight-end

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

This is pretty significant long term. I doubt this is over but for now, big ruling IMO.

 

[Phoenix]

Good. Because, well, he is one.

 

[BigStar]

This is pretty significant long term. I doubt this is over but for now, big ruling IMO.

I agree, his argument being that he rarely blocks, or carries out the duties of the "standard TE" whose production/impact is much more inline with top WR pay. Regularly flexing to the slot, lining up as an outside WR and motioning to various points on the field, rarely puts him in a position to block anyone "assignment wise" more so than any WR. I could also see this issue not being done until their pay reflects their contribution.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

As they should rule him to be since it's the position he actually plays.

 

[Longboysfan]

It's about 3 to 5 million on the tag between the two.

 

[BigStar]

As they should rule him to be since it's the position he actually plays.

It will work itself out over time when the contracts for TEs are elevated like Gronk and now Graham...eventually. Davis in SF shouldn't be part of that discussion bc of their style of offense but admit he is the primary maybe coupled with Boldin. Our boy Witten has always been underpaid as well considering his contribution to the offense being a stabilizing and very productive force throughout his career.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

This is pretty significant long term. I doubt this is over but for now, big ruling IMO.

It's really not that big of a deal if you ask me. If Benson played hard ball with Brees, what did Graham expect? And in the end, Graham will forgive all and resign long term as opposed to holding out until Benson agrees to a one year deal with a no tag clause, and then telling him to get lost.

 

[BigStar]

It's really not that big of a deal if you ask me. If Benson played hard ball with Brees, what did Graham expect? And in the end, Graham will forgive all and resign long term as opposed to holding out until Benson agrees to a one year deal with a no tag clause, and then telling him to get lost.

Not to speak for ABQ (but about to ) he is referencing the pay level of big time TEs compared to WRs. They can be tagged and continue being underpaid in comparison to WRs with the same level of production. NE broke the mold a bit with Gronk (contract) and kinda opened this can of worms using TEs as their primary weapons in their passing offense. Also like me, we aren't arguing TEs should be tagged as WRs; simply that is an interesting issue to take note if given the discrepancy in pay and the outlet to underpay your primary offensive target if they happen to be "labeled" as TE compared to a WR.

I think the "label" issue is just pointing out this gap and even pointing to the different responsibilities that are taken by the new primary "hybrid" TEs that rarely block or carry out the previous description of duties of starting TEs; assisting in blocking in the running game and running routes primarily with his hand on the ground lined next to a Tackle, etc. Not these insane numbers that compare more similarly to a WR role than any previously "defined" TE.