2025-2026 NFL Season Thread

[jwerk]

Jimmy Graham appealing Tight End ruling

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200...es-a-tight-end

Jimmy Graham isn't satisfied with the NFL's ruling.

The New Orleans Saints star has appealed the league's decision that he's a tight end for franchise-tag purposes, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday, per a source with knowledge of the situation. Graham wishes to be considered a wide receiver.

Graham filed the appeal just before the Monday night deadline. A three-member appeals panel will oversee the case under the rules of the collective bargaining agreement.

Arbitrator Stephen Burbank ruled last week that Graham is indeed a tight end. Under the franchise tag for the position, Graham would make $7.053 million in 2014, compared to $12.3 million for receivers. Graham had filed a grievance arguing that he should be designated as a wide receiver because he spent more time out wide and in the slot than at the line of scrimmage.

Drew Brees' favorite target was electric (when healthy) in 2013, posting 86 catches for 1,215 yards and 16 touchdowns. He's led the league in touchdowns over the previous three years combined. It would be wise for the Saints to lock up Graham long term, but as of last week the sides were at "ground zero" in negotiations, per Rapoport.

Graham has yet to sign his tender, and the deadline for franchise players to reach long term deals is Tuesday.

[jwerk]

By the time he loses his appeal, it'll be too late to sign a long term deal. In which case he'll be stuck playing under the franchise tag this year.

So basically, he's appealing so he can make more money this year, instead of banking on future years. A risky play, one I can't believe his agent would endorse. Why wouldn't he want to be paid like the richest TE in football? If you-know-where freezes over and he somehow wins the appeal, there is no way they pay him top WR money.

[fatediesel]

I will still be surprised if Graham and the Saints don't reach a long-term deal by tomorrow's deadline. Both sides have too much to lose by not getting a deal done. Graham is taking a huge risk if he plays out the season without the financial security of a long-term deal (and gets the franchise tag again next year), and the Saints can't risk Graham sitting out all of training camp and potentially into the season and being rusty/out of football shape when he does report. The Saints waited until the final hours before reaching a deal with Brees in 2012 and I expect a similar result tomorrow.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Crooked Browns owner Jimmy Haslem bought his way out of federal prosecution for fraud. Hooray for "rich peoples' justice."

http://deadspin.com/browns-owner-avo...-se-1604799901

Poor Browns fans...and I sincerely mean that. It's bad enough they get the beat down on the field year in/year out...but now during the off season as well! I mean in the span of 1 month they've had to endure(off the top of my head):

1) Johnny "Idiot" Manziel and all his nonsense(and that's probably just beginning)
2) Josh Gordon is probably done in the NFL, so they can't even trade him.
3) Corrupt owner pays almost $100m to the Feds, and could pay more.

Hey at least Cleveland got King James back!

[Tony208]

Leave Johnny Manziel alone!!!

[dcowboy7]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

I will still be surprised if Graham and the Saints don't reach a long-term deal by tomorrow's deadline.

Ill go with 99.99% chance & that may even be a little low.

[jwerk]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

I will still be surprised if Graham and the Saints don't reach a long-term deal by tomorrow's deadline. Both sides have too much to lose by not getting a deal done. Graham is taking a huge risk if he plays out the season without the financial security of a long-term deal (and gets the franchise tag again next year), and the Saints can't risk Graham sitting out all of training camp and potentially into the season and being rusty/out of football shape when he does report. The Saints waited until the final hours before reaching a deal with Brees in 2012 and I expect a similar result tomorrow.

Yep, looks like it's happening now. But why would he appeal if he's signing a long term deal? That part doesn't make sense to me. Just makes him look bad.

[walruswarrior]

The infamous Titus Young

Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Titus Young's talent was never in question, but off-field issues doomed his NFL career. Another unfortunate chapter regarding those issues was revealed Monday, as Young was arrested in Los Angeles and charged with felony battery

http://www.freep.com/article/2014071...ns-titus-young

[R3P0]

Jimmy G is a rich Saint for a very long time, new contract is done and signed according a tweet.

Saints signed Jimmy Graham to a multi-year contract.

Graham broke the news on his Twitter account: "It's official. I'm bleeding black and gold this morning! Thank you WhoDatNation for all the support." All major news outlets and Graham's agent, Jimmy Sexton, have confirmed a long-term deal has been reached ahead of Tuesday afternoon's 4 PM ET deadline. Once the numbers are in, Graham will be the league's highest-paid tight end. We can all breathe; Graham will be listed as a tight end in fantasy.

Source: Jimmy Graham on Twitter
Jul 15 - 9:05 AM

[fatediesel]

Adam Schefter says Graham's deal is for 4 years/$40 million with $21 million guaranteed. Until the actual numbers come out it's hard to know how much is truly guaranteed, but I'd think with number like that most if not all of the money is truly guaranteed with a large signing bonus (to lessen the cap hit this year) and guaranteed base salaries the first 2 years.

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

Adam Schefter says Graham's deal is for 4 years/$40 million with $21 million guaranteed. Until the actual numbers come out it's hard to know how much is truly guaranteed, but I'd think with number like that most if not all of the money is truly guaranteed with a large signing bonus (to lessen the cap hit this year) and guaranteed base salaries the first 2 years.

Good for him tho he earned it, The guy is a true up baller on the field he had what 16 TD last year. My Fantasy team is happy that my number 1 Fantasy TE is happy. It works well with my Number 2 Flex TE who is very happy in New England.

[walruswarrior]

Originally Posted by R3P0

Good for him tho he earned it, The guy is a true up baller on the field he had what 16 TD last year. My Fantasy team is happy that my number 1 Fantasy TE is happy. It works well with my Number 2 Flex TE who is very happy in New England.

And made of glass

Keep the NE TE he'll play 4 games this year.

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by walruswarrior

And made of glass

Keep the NE TE he'll play 4 games this year.

Considering he did more in 4 games last year then your TE did in 16 games all last year im fine with that outcome

[walruswarrior]

Originally Posted by R3P0

Considering he did more in 4 games last year then your TE did in 16 games all last year im fine with that outcome

Jordan Cameron

Whatever you say

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by R3P0

Good for him tho he earned it, The guy is a true up baller on the field he had what 16 TD last year. My Fantasy team is happy that my number 1 Fantasy TE is happy. It works well with my Number 2 Flex TE who is very happy in New England.

Better trade him. Contract year vs. get paid year, historically, are very different. His stock couldn't be any higher.

[jwerk]

Originally Posted by rickah88

Better trade him. Contract year vs. get paid year, historically, are very different. His stock couldn't be any higher.

I agree, especially since he/she has Gronk. You could get a TE like Rudolph/Cameron to fill in for his bye week and the 8-10 he'll miss due to injury, and still get another top tier position player. Strike while the iron's hot, son

[walruswarrior]

Originally Posted by jwerk

I agree, especially since he/she has Gronk. You could get a TE like Rudolph/Cameron to fill in for his bye week and the 8-10 he'll miss due to injury, and still get another top tier position player. Strike while the iron's hot, son

Can't get Cameron because he's staying on my team

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by jwerk

I agree, especially since he/she has Gronk. You could get a TE like Rudolph/Cameron to fill in for his bye week and the 8-10 he'll miss due to injury, and still get another top tier position player. Strike while the iron's hot, son

Oh believe me, I rode Brees/Graham to the Champoinship game in 2 of my leagues last season(lost one/won one), and it would be tough to trade the guy, as he is without a doubt, a BEAST! But I can't get over the getting paid aspect(great for him btw), who knows. As always, it will be fun to finally get the season kicked off!

~Lifetime Iggles Phan!

[jwerk]

Originally Posted by rickah88

As always, it will be fun to finally get the season kicked off!

This offseason is taking forever My first fantasy draft isn't til Aug 16

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by jwerk

I agree, especially since he/she has Gronk. You could get a TE like Rudolph/Cameron to fill in for his bye week and the 8-10 he'll miss due to injury, and still get another top tier position player. Strike while the iron's hot, son

Or I could start em both since we can flex a player in since both are essentially WR it works out perfectly =0). If Gronk is healthy and does not die hes usually good for 1 TD a game. Same thing with Jimmy G. The main RB are already off the board so for me this is really a no brainer.