Jimmy Graham Case Could Change the Concept of Tight End

Jimmy Graham is a premiere tight end. He is one of the top tight ends in the league. In his NFL career so far he has made 301 receptions for 3,863 yards and 41 touchdowns.

But Graham is not happy with being labeled just a tight end. Graham wants to be recognized as a wide receiver and receive the salary of a wide receiver.

You see with evolution of the game to a more pass happy system, the days of the blocking tight end of the Mike Ditka era are long gone. Since the days of Ozzie Newsome, tight ends have been used more as an additional receiver rather than an extra blocker. That's why a player like Tony Gonzalez can retire with reception and touchdown numbers on par with some of the top receivers of his era
.
That being said, Jimmy Graham feels it is in his best interest to be recognized as a wide receiver. This of course could lead the way to other tight ends following suit and seeking both recognition and compensation as a wide receiver and not a tight end.

This is the dilemma that Graham and the league face as Graham's grievance hearing is scheduled to begin next Tuesday.

The NFL Management Council will make an argument that Graham was lined up within four yards of the tackle, the traditional spot for a tight end, on 60 percent of Saints plays and that Graham list himself as a tight end on his personal twitter account.

The NFL Players Association will argue that Graham lined up in the slot or wide out position on more than two thirds of the Saints play.

At issue is what will the Saints be forced to pay Graham for a one year franchise tag salary. As a tight end Graham would receive just over $7 million, as a wide receiver he would receive $12.3 million.

The collective bargaining agreement, agreed upon by the league and the players in 2011, states that franchise-tag designation is based upon which position the player played the most snaps during the prior year.

The hearing will be heard by an outside arbitrator who will have to determine what is considered lining up as a tight end.  The outcome of the hearing could have a profound impact on other tight ends around the league.