Basisphilosophie » Graham concerning the Saints tight ends franchise tag

METAIRIE, La. -- The NFL Players Association confirmed Wednesday that it filed a grievance on behalf of Jimmy Graham concerning the Saints tight ends franchise tag designation. At issue is whether the NFL was correct to apply the tight end tag to Graham or whether Graham should have received the more lucrative wide receiver tag, a difference of $5 million. The NFLs current collective bargaining agreement states that a player should be tagged according to the position at which he lined up most often. Graham and his agent, Jimmy Sexton, are contending that the frequency with which Graham lined up split out from the line merits the $12.3 million receivers franchise tag, not the $7 million tight end tag. No date for a grievance hearing has been set, but the filing alone could provide Graham with a measure of additional leverage as he seeks to have his franchise tag designation removed in favour of a long-term extension. July 15 is the final day a team can sign 2014 franchise players to long-term extensions. Grahams agent, Jimmy Sexton, did not return a message seeking comment on the matter. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Wednesday there had been no progress to report on negotiations with Graham. The Saints have asserted that lining up split from the line is a significant part of every tight ends job description. When asked in January whether the Saints viewed Graham as a tight end under the leagues CBA, Loomis responded: "Isnt that what we drafted him as? Isnt that what he made the Pro Bowl as? Thats what we see him as -- a tight end. "The tight end has always been part of the passing game," Loomis continued. "Hes part of the running game. So hes part of both. So are receivers. So are running backs." According to an analysis by ESPN Stats and Information, Graham lined up split out from the line on 67 per cent of his snaps -- 45 per cent of the time in the slot and 22 per cent out wide. Unless the Saints and Graham pre-emptively agree on a long-term deal, an arbitrator may have to decide whether those numbers alone, under the language of the CBA, would require the league to apply the receiver designation to Graham. If so, it likely would set a precedent for negotiations involving other tight ends who figure prominently in their teams passing games, and could substantially lower the franchise tag number for tight ends who more often line up next to offensive tackles. It could also affect other positions in which players have varying roles, most notably some outside linebackers in a 3-4 defensive scheme, who could argue their right to receive the higher defensive end tag. Cheap Shoes Ireland Online . 1. AMIR JOHNSON: Nice to see him back in the lineup Tuesday night in Washington DC. Played with great energy and purpose. Its amazing when a guy gets those few precious days to recover what it does to the bounce in their step and overall game/confidence. Shoes Ireland From China . Ricciardo made it only halfway around the Jerez track before his RB10 rolled to a stop and began spouting smoke from the back. After team mechanics tended to the car, Ricciardo went back out for a mere two trips around the circuit before calling it quits. https://www.shoesirelandsale.com/ . "There are a lot of things that are going very well in this organization. Im not coming in here to rip things apart," Nicholson told reporters Friday. "I know what Hockey Canada was when I started, and I know where this (Oilers) organization is today. Fake Shoes Ireland . -- The Vancouver Whitecaps remained unbeaten with a scoreless draw at the New England Revolution on Saturday. Wholesale Shoes Ireland . Here is a look at all the moves through the first week of NHL Free Agency. The most significant deals will get the full Numbers Game column treatment, like these:Briere-for-Parenteau trade. Incredibly intense match, played on an edge. Nothing pretty. But this is 1/4 World Cup. Usually plays out this way. #BRA does enough. — Gareth Wheeler (@WheelerTSN) July 4, 2014 2 very different games today as things tighten up. #BRA and #GER is sexy. But dont be surprised if its scrappy again. — Gareth Wheeler (@WheelerTSN) July 4, 2014 Every game theres a certain "player" or even "payers" that have it out for Neymar.. #crazy #worldcup — Patrick Patterson (@pdpatt) July 4, 2014And now time ffor some bug stuff.dddddddddddd "@GooglePics: Look at the size of the thing on Rodriguezs arm! #BRA #COL https://t.co/ChNdF9N6BG"; haha thought was grass during match — Patrick Patterson (@pdpatt) July 4, 2014 I predict the bug will score for Colombia in extra time — Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) July 4, 2014 James Rodriguez will get over his sadness after his incredible World Cup by travelling the world with the giant green bug, solving crimes — Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) July 4, 2014 ' ' '