The Facts:
Now that Graham is
locked in as a tight end under the franchise tag, the question is whether he can agree to a long-term contract with the New Orleans Saints by the July 15 deadline for franchised players. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that agent Jimmy Sexton and general manager Mickey Loomis will be starting at "ground zero" in negotiations.
Reported by NFL.com
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
Both sides were waiting for Wednesday's ruling as a benchmark for talks. Graham now has 10 days to appeal, which looms as a potential complication. There is a very real possibility, per Rapoport, that Graham will balk at signing his tender if there is no agreement by the deadline. In a worst-case scenario for the Saints, Graham could travel the route paved by Logan Mankins in 2010 when the Patriots guard skipped training camp, failed to report for the start of the regular season and only rejoined the team in early November, thereby accruing a season toward free agency. On the positive side, though, NFL Media's Albert Breer notes the Saints have been "100 percent prepared" for this scenario and still anticipate an agreement with Graham "right before" the July 15 deadline. ... We'll be watching for more.
Profile
Home
