We were promised a decision on Thursday by arbitrator Stephen Burbank and he ended up turning it in a day early. Jimmy Graham has officially been ruled as a tight end which will keep his franchise designation at the $7.035 million mark. Ian Rapoport was the first to break the news:
The Jimmy Graham decision is out. Burbank has ruled he’s a tight end. The Saints have won
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 2, 2014
As for the why, Rapoport also offered the following:
Why was Jimmy Graham ruled a TE? He’s in TE meetings, #Saints drafted him as a TE… and yes, I’m told his twitter bio is in the ruling
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 2, 2014
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsAnd two other interesting tweets from Albert Breer:
Burbank’s decision found that when Graham was detached, but close to the o-line, he was still playing tight end. That’s a precedent setter.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 2, 2014
Burbank ruled that Graham was a TE b/c his majority of snaps taken within 4 yards of the offensive line. That 4 yards = another precedent.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 2, 2014
I’ve long said that the biggest component of this case was how one viewed the times Graham was lined up on the slot. As long as the slot was “within four yards of the line of scrimmage”, then Graham was just fulfilling his normal duties as a tight end.
Graham now has 10 days to appeal the decision, which would be heard by a 3 person panel if he decides to go that route. I have a hard time seeing this overturned but you never know. This should hopefully speed up contract negotiations and now that the Saints supposed offer to Graham has been supported by Graham’s standing as a tight end it feels more likely to happen. Graham has until 7/15 to sign a long term deal or he is left with only the ability to sign his 1 year franchise tender.
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