Jimmay Graham is a WR, not TE

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Under Article 9, Section 2 of the CBA, “[T]he tender will apply to the position in which the player participated in the most plays.” Thus, if Graham was lined up wide or in the slot more times than he was lined up as a tight end, he’s a receiver.

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quote:

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The Saints could counter by arguing that the tight end position has changed in recent years, and that a tight end can be a tight end without lining up half the time as a tight end. To support their argument, the Saints could calculate the tight end vs. slot/wide percentages for other tight ends on other teams who ultimately were paid as tight ends, not as receivers.

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I don't know the percentages, but my naked eye tells me he lines up as a WR. It also tells me he plays like a WR. I realize his official team position is TE, but realistically he is a WR. Here's the issue for me: TE is a hybrid receiver and blocker, a position that is utilized in both aspects to take advantage of circumstances. Jimmay though is riding the pine whenever we are running the ball, because he can not block. This is actually a great hinderance for the team, because, as this past game showed us, when he is not on the field it is a run play. Teams see this, know this and play accordingly.

Fair is fair. I would love for us to sign him to a TE contract, but it's not right to play him as a WR and expect him to be paid as a TE. I don't think there's much of an argument for the Saints on this one. They can show other TE's utilization all they want, but all that will do is drive the argument across the board that those unique players are actually WR's. There are still true TE's in the league, and those guys wills till get TE money. Just not Jimmay, nor should he