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NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans Saints have placed their franchise tag on Jimmy Graham in order to protect the clubs rights to its star tight end through next season. The move means Graham, barring a holdout, will almost certainly play for New Orleans next season for no less than the tight end franchise tag of $7.04 million. It is also possible, under the NFLs collective bargaining agreement, that Graham could be tagged as a receiver because of how often he lined up split wide from the line. That would carry a tag of $12.3 million. However, since the Saints only placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Graham, according to a report from ESPN, teams can still try to sign the star but the Saints would be able to match any offer or be compensated with two first-round draft picks from the signing team. Once Grahams tag has been determined, the two sides could continue to argue that matter before an arbitrator. That appears to be the likely process as both side aim to determine precisely how much negotiating leverage they have before hammering out a long-term deal. Similarly, the Saints use their franchise tag on quarterback Drew Brees in March 2012, then needed a little more than four months to work out the five-year, $100 million deal Brees signed shortly before training camp. Like Brees, Graham is represented by Creative Artists Agency. They do not have the same agent. Graham is represented by Jimmy Sexton and Brees by Tom Condon. The move, confirmed by team spokesman Greg Bensel, was expected as part of what is widely anticipated to be a protracted negotiation between the team and one of the best young tight ends in the NFL Graham has said publicly during the Pro Bowl in February that it would be "unfortunate," if the team used the franchise tag on him, but on Friday he reacted to the move with subtle humour. Afterward, Graham wrote on his Twitter account, "Confirming its officially Franchisefriday... TAG ... I guess Im it." Graham, a former college basketball who played one year of football at Miami, was drafted by the Saints in 2010. Last season, he led the Saints in catches with 86, yards with 1,215 and touchdowns with 16. He has led the Saints in catches in each of the past three seasons, while leading the club in yards receiving and touchdowns in two of the last three seasons. During the past three regular seasons combined, he has 270 catches for 3,507 yards and 36 touchdowns. Braden Holtby Jersey .J. -- Richard Sherman, Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch deservedly draw the attention for what theyve done in getting the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl. Tom Wilson Jersey . -- Miguel Angel Jimenez quickly shifted his focus back to the Ryder Cup after winning his first Champions Tour event. http://www.officialcapitalsfanstore.com/authentic-rod-langway-capitals-jersey/ . Especially after he got ejected. "How many innings was that?" he wondered. T.J. Oshie Jersey . “The fact that he was willing to do the deal the way we wanted it to be done showed that he wanted me to be a part of something great," Lowry said, noting that Ujiri willingness to sign off on the proposal that both Lowry and his agent presented to the GM was the final straw that convinced him to return. Alex Ovechkin Jersey . Adam LaRoche will take that. "I like our position in the standings and I like how our team is playing," LaRoche said after Washington swept a day-night doubleheader from the Cubs on Saturday.Michael Phelps is coming out of retirement, lured back into the pool by the fun of it and the possibility of swimming at a fifth Olympics in Rio in 2016. The 22-time Olympic medallist will compete for the first time since the 2012 London Games at a meet in Mesa, Ariz., on April 24-26. Bob Bowman, the swimmers longtime coach, told The Associated Press on Monday that Phelps is entered in three events -- the 50- and 100-meter freestyles and the 100 butterfly. "I think hes just going to test the waters a little bit and see how it goes," Bowman said by phone from Baltimore. "I wouldnt say its a full-fledged comeback." Phelps returned to training last fall and re-entered the U.S. drug-testing program. He has completed his six-month waiting period by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to be eligible for competition. Bowman said Phelps is "pretty far" from being back in top form. Hes been training Monday through Friday with Bowmans team at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club in his hometown. "Hes gotten back into good shape since September," the coach said. "He can give a good effort and certainly not be embarrassed. Hes in enough shape to swim competitively." Besides Phelps, USA Swimming said Olympians Ryan Lochte and Katie Ledecky are among those expected to swim in the Arena Grand Prix at Skyline Aquatic Center. "Im excited to see what he can do," Ledecky told the AP by phone in between classes at her high school in Maryland. "Definitely, itll bring some more energy to swimming again." Phelps turns 29 in June and is the winningest and most decorated athlete in Olympic history. He captured 18 gold medals and 22 medals overall at the last three Summer Games. He broke Mark Spitzs record for a single Olympics by winning eight gold medals at Beijing in 2008. If he comes back and doesnt dominate, Bowman said it wouldnt tarnish Phelps reputation. "His legacy is sealed," the coach said. Ledecky agreed that Phelps has nothing to lose by diving back in. "Its just for his own personal kind of thing," she said. "Hes already done so much. Whether he adds a couple more gold medals or not, what hes done has been so incredible, whatever he does next should be accepted by all." Phelps had vowed that he wouldnt swim into his 30s. Since retiring less than two years ago, he has stayed busy with a chain of swim schools, a foundation focused on water safety and appearances on behalf of his sponsors. He devoted lots of time to golf and participated in a reality show with famed coach Hank Haney. Five-time Olympian Dara Torres knows about comebacks. At 41, she made the 2008 U.S. Olympic team in her second return to the sport and won three silver medals. At 33, she made the 2000 Olympics after seven years in retirement. Torres said she came back twice because she missed competing. "Knowing how competitive Michael is, Im sure thats a big factor," Torres said. "When youre on top of your sport and all of a sudden youre not and youre out there in life, you miss what you used to do.dddddddddddd When you retire, nothing is structured; with swimming, its very structured." Phelps camp is being low-key about the comeback, and he wasnt made available to speak Monday. "I think hes just really enjoying it," Bowman said. "He enjoys the training and being physically fit. He just kind of wants to see where hes at. Its more really for fun. Its been nice for me to see him swim just for the joy of it really." Olympian Jessica Hardy, who will compete in Mesa, said many swimmers were surprised by the news. "He kept it pretty much under wraps," she said. "Even if hes not at peak performance, its great for the sport and each athlete particularly to keep learning from him. I dont think anyone wants to put pressure on him. Hes accomplished everything you pretty much can. Its just great to see what else you can do." Phelps wont be coming back for the money, having earned tens of millions of dollars in endorsements during his career. However, his endorsement potential certainly goes up if hes in the water. His presence on the pool deck will give a boost to USA Swimming, which can endlessly market him. "Anytime you can have the most decorated Olympian in history in the pool, its a fantastic thing for swimming," said Chuck Wielgus, executive director of USA Swimming. "USA Swimming and Michael share the goal of growing the sport, and his return to competition will surely inspire even more kids to give swimming a try." Phelps name recognition goes far beyond the pool deck. Hes as well-known as athletes from far more prominent sports, such as NBA star LeBron James, which is an accomplishment for a swimmer whose sport gets most of its attention in an Olympic year. In Mesa, Phelps will swim 100 free and 100 fly preliminaries on the first day. Then, if he qualifies, hell decide which race to swim for the evening finals, Bowman said. Hell swim the 50 free on the second day and might swim the 50 fly "just for fun," the coach added. "I bet youre going to see a little spark in him that you didnt see in 2012," Torres said. Phelps will stick to the shorter races and some relays rather than the grueling individual medleys he swam during the height of his career. "Hes really doing this because he wants to -- theres no outside pressure at all," Bowman said. Phelps has already entered the remaining Grand Prix meets in Charlotte, N.C., in May and Santa Clara, Calif., in June, although Bowman said no decision has been made on whether he will compete. Depending on his early results, Phelps could compete in the U.S. National Championships in August in Irvine, Calif., where teams will be selected for the 2015 world championships. "I wouldnt say its 100 per cent on the radar," Bowman said. "After Mesa, were going to sit down and talk about it." 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