One of the biggest stories around this year's NFL offseason storylines is if the New Orleans Saints can get a deal with star tight end Jimmy Graham. However, money is an issue and it's largely based on Graham's position, whether he is a wide receiver or tight end.
Graham is "technically" labeled as a tight end almost everywhere, but he did spend the majority of last season lined up as wide receiver. He has the moves and pass-catching ability as those of a wide receiver, but his build makes him recognized as tight end in the NFL.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees weighed in on this fiasco regarding his favorite passing target.
"He's a hybrid," Brees said. "I don't know if there's anybody like him or ever like him."
The Saints were able to place a franchise tag on Graham, who is a two-time Pro Bowler. He will make just over $7 million for next season, but he could have made much more had he had been paid like a wide receiver would, which has been the ongoing conflict of this situation.
If Graham, who is 6-foot-7 and 260 pounds, were labeled a receiver, he would have been making $12.3 million instead. And though the Saints continue to take the route of Graham being a TE (of course, so they can save some money in their pockets), Brees doesn't see it in that kind of light.
"He plays a different position than anybody in the league. So he'll be cutting edge with whatever he gets [paid]. And everybody will try to compare themselves to him five years from now."
Graham and his agent, Jimmy Sexton, plan to file a grievance through the players' association to make Graham labeled as a WR. They have enough proof to do so, as Graham lined up as one on 67 percent of his snaps in the 2013 NFL season.
"He's a little bit of everything," Brees said. "He can do it all. Obviously he takes a lot of snaps in a two-point stance, off the ball, split outside, by himself. We move him all over the place."
Hopefully all of this distraction doesn't affect Graham's play next season. The four-year pro is coming off a career year where had 86 catches for 1,215 yards and 16 touchdowns.
