NFLPA files grievance against Saints for Jimmy Graham
By Mike Dyce
The New Orleans Saints slapped tight end Jimmy Graham with the franchise tag and we expected things could get messy. If he were to get the tag as a wide receiver he’d make more money than under the tag as a tight end, which is technically his position. Graham however spent more time split out as a wide out than in as a tight end, so he has an argument.
Had a long-term deal been struck between the two sides it would’ve been a moot point, but they haven’t. So USA Today’s Tom Pelissero is reporting that the NFL Players’ Association is going forward and filing a grievance against the Saints on behalf of Graham. There is no date set yet, but it’d likely be expedited.
The NFLPA has filed a grievance against #Saints on behalf of Jimmy Graham. Franchise-tag fight is on.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 7, 2014
No hearing date set for Graham grievance. Presumably, it'll get pursued on an expedited basis.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 7, 2014
This was the inevitable next step when no deal was struck between #Saints and Graham. Difference of over $5M could swing leverage in talks.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 7, 2014
Terrell Suggs' franchise-tag fight got resolved via settlement in 2008. But that was over a difference of about $800K for DE/LB.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 7, 2014
Should Graham get paid as a wide out or as a tight end? Let us know what you think in the comments below.