The franchise tag debate has been centered around how often Graham lines up in the offensive formation at TE vs. receiver. For the Saints Graham has lined up out wide, in the slot, as well as in-line at the typical tight end alignment positions.

 

Is he a receiver, or a tight end? I think blocking should be factored into the equation, not just the alignment position designated per the play. I am not suggesting consideration of when a TE blocks, how often a TE blocks, but more relevant to the opposition position a TE is required to block effectively. Receivers are slated to block a DB, as well as the safety positions, but very rarely are receivers given the task of blocking a LB (or bigger) beyond a helping chip block, or a chip in general to slow a defensive front seven player down for a millisecond. The tight end position is required to block an entirely different set of opposing players that wouldn't be designed for the receiver position to do nothing more than be a pestering fly. Shorts probably isn't going to be asked to block JJ Watt, but Lewis could have that designated assignment more than a few plays per game.

 

What player position would you consider is Graham's tag designated position?

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Why don't they take the ratio of times he lined up as a receiver and how many times he lined up as a tight end, and use that? Problem solved. You're welcome.

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Why don't they take the ratio of times he lined up as a receiver and how many times he lined up as a tight end, and use that? Problem solved. You're welcome.

 

 

Greed?

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Greed?

 

It's up the the arbitrator.  He can use the ratio of TE vs WR and apply that to the formula.   Force them to compromise. 

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pff this was settled, he calls himself a TE on twitter, game, set, match

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pff this was settled, he calls himself a TE on twitter, game, set, match

 

... and on his personal website.

 

If he wants to be paid as one, he should re-label himself on all of the team's official depth charts.

 

He had a pretty good season last year, and he usually gets a lot of TDs, but he's averaging 965 yds a season over 4 seasons. Not really top-10 worthy as a WR.

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Pro Bowl TE or WR?

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Birth of the Franchise - November 30, 1993
Death of the Franchise - November 29, 2011

Fans deserve better. Thanks for all the good times too many are in the past.

TE by name, WR by game. We'll see if a written title or actual on the field usage matters more. 

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That dude is soft anyway. I would call him a word that starts with a "p" but ID probably get banned

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Why don't they take the ratio of times he lined up as a receiver and how many times he lined up as a tight end, and use that? Problem solved. You're welcome.

That was kind of the root of the problem. How far out from the tackle does a player stop being a tight end and start being a slot receiver? Four yards is the line in the turf drawn in this case, and if it holds, I'd be surprised if teams didn't make a point of designing plays that had the tight end within four yards of the tackle.

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Why don't they take the ratio of times he lined up as a receiver and how many times he lined up as a tight end, and use that? Problem solved. You're welcome.

I am fairly certain this is written into the CBA. I remember reading it somewhere before. Graham lined up at slot or at the flank 62% of the snaps. Jimmy is getting the screw job.

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TravC59, aka JacksJags. @TravC59 on Twitter
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