I started this as a facebook post and it just got away from me a bit. I slept way too much and now need something to make me tired, so below is my thoughts on Jimmy Graham.
Yeah it's a ton of money either way, but I can't help feeling a little like he got jobbed cause he is a "tight end" in a scheme that basically puts him out at WR over 70% of the time. The guy is basically losing 1/2 of the salary he should command because of the franchise tag. To put that in perspective, would you be willing to go do your job next year for 1/2 the money, and you're only other option is to not do it at all anymore? Sure he'll survive and be just fine in the end, but if I'm him I'm forcing the Saints to pay me #1 WR money in any kind of long term deal, I'm guessing there are a few teams that would be happy to do that. So I'm going to just put down the basic argument I have for each NFL team, and why he might actually want to go there.
NFC West
Seattle - I love me some Zach Miller (former Raider) but seriously, not even close. They won a Superbowl last year, so that would definitely be a plus for Jimmy.
S.F. - While fans may love Vernon Davis, I'm sure they would be even happier with Jimmy Graham, combining that with Bolden and Crabtree would probably keep Kaep from having anymore of those sub 200 yard games. Again, playoff contender making multiple NFC champ games, and a Superbowl recently.
Arizona - They are starting an injury prone rookie, come on that's just too easy. Why would he want to play there, um.... Winters in Arizona are freaking awesome!
St. Louis - Jeff Fisher seems to be rebuilding Titans circa 2010, but with Jared Cook at TE I don't think there is any argument for why they would want Graham over him. Why Jimmy would want to go there is completely beyond me, but it could be that he really likes Bradford and wants to help him keep the career alive, or maybe because that is the very first team that New Orleans will play (Preseason) so he gets the immediate satisfaction of destroying their defense for the first 10 plays of the game before he sits down for a nap.
NFC North
Bears - as much as I love Bennett, Jeffery, Marshall, and Graham would make Cutler look like the second (or would it be third really) coming of Kurt Warner. Now while it may not be fun for Jimmy to play with Cutler, that receiving corp would take a ton of pressure off him, and they have a real life running game with Matt Forte.
Detroit Lions - Pettigrew is alright, but J.G. is way better. Why shouldn't one team have the best WR and TE in the game at the same time? J.G. would really probably only want to play there because hey, still in a dome and he gets to play with Megatron
Green Bay Packers - As if they need another weapon for Rodgers, but Andrew Quarless is not exactly a shining example of amazing TE. Graham might not like the cold, but this is one of the only places where he could go and not want to strangle his QB for not being able to live up to the skill and preparation he has gotten used to with Brees.
Minnesota Vikings - Kyle Rudolph is at the top of their depth chart. Last year in 8 games he caught 30 passes and 3 TDs, J.G. had 4 TDs by the end of week 3... I cannot think of a single legitimate reason why he would want to play in Minnesota, I guess Fargo was filmed there, maybe he likes that movie.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons - Tony is all done, Replacing him with Graham and still having White/Jones... might be scarier than that Bears lineup above. For J.G. still play most games in a dome, great overall team, oh and get to play against the Saints and stick it to them 2 times each year.
Carolina Panthers - Greg Olson is at the top of their depth chart so it would be a huge upgrade. With the departure of Steve Smith they could definitely use the help. Why would he play there? Well he knows they've got a great running game (though that would probably be detrimental to him) and he might really like playing with ex Oregon players (they've got a few). Cam Newton is always a little exciting, but probably would drive him nuts. It's also where JG grew up so that might be a draw.
New Orleans Saints - Well I think this is easy, obviously they don't want to lose him, and he probably doesn't really want to leave. Hopefully they can come up with an equitable answer before too many feelings get hurt.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - The Bucs currently have former Raider Brandon Meyers listed at #1, in 4 years in Oakland he caught 4tds (all in one year) and in one year with Giants he caught 4, as I said earlier, J.G. did that in the first three games last year, and has multiple games with 2 so it wouldn't be hard to find a stretch where he did that in two games. J.G. might like Florida, no state Tax!!
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys - Witten is getting up there and Jerry LOVES a splash move. J.G. would obviously get paid lots, and hey like Tampa, no state income tax!
New York Giants - Their starting tight end last year was Brandon Meyers (mentioned above in Tampa); the guy they've got now (Adrien Robinson) has been in New York for 2 years and has only made it on the field for 3 total games, and has never caught a pass.... If Jimmy wants to play in New York, this would be the better team to go to. He would definitely get a big spotlight there.
Philadelphia Eagles - Brent Celek is a solid tight end, who had a good year (best since '09), but he is 2 years older and has 10 more TDs than JG did LAST YEAR. Chip Kelly's tempo would be an interesting fit for JG, if it's a pace he is interested in there would be huge opportunities in that offense for him. (It got Ed Dickson drafted...)
AFC West
Denver Broncos - The other Superbowl team, well as amazing as Julius Thomas was, JG is still better, and more consistent (though also older). For JG, crazy good receivers, crazy good QB, what's not to love (oh yeah, it's still Denver).
Kansas City Chiefs - While that new kid they have is pretty good when healthy, he has some trouble with staying healthy. Reid likes to use the TE some, and Alex Smith certainly loves to dump it off to the TE, so lots of opportunity for stats, otherwise not much reason for him to go there.
Oakland Raiders - Would love to have them sign him and they've got more than enough cap space, but there is really no reason other than money for him to head there.
San Diego Chargers - Anthony Gates doesn't have a ton left in the tank, sliding him in to a 2nd TE role would give them a ton of options. It's San Diego, practically living in paradise over there.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens - Dennis Pitta caught 1 TD last year, Owen Daniels is better, but also older.. They are only a couple years removed from a Superbowl, and JG might like Baltimore for some reason. They do have good receivers, and Flacco can certainly throw the ball deep..
Cincinnati Bengals - Gresham has 19 TDs in 5 years - JG had 16 last year, easy enough for them. Why he would do it, well he went to Miami (FLA) and maybe he wants to see what Miami (OH) is really all about? Yeah prolly not.
Cleveland Browns - While Jordan Cameron had a great year last year, he's no JG; The only reason JG might want to go to Cleveland would be so that he could turn that team around and then say it was all because of him the Saints went from horrific to terrific (too bad he arrived a little late for that). Maybe he really doesn't want to play in the playoffs so he would rather be with a team he knows won't be a problem there.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Now don't get me wrong, I love Miller but yeah. JG might be interested, great receivers, of course having Todd Haley still there would send me running.
AFC South
Houston Texans - Their current TEs (all of them) have a touchdown.... It's like the Cowboys, but without the crazy. Though all the questions around QB make it a dicey situation.
Indianapolis Colts - Their current guy is really only one year in (4 TDs first year, 1 catch (for a TD) in his second, but hurt for the year). Oh how they would love to pair him with Wayne. JG might like the younger QB who has a similar wildman approach as Brees does, could be fun.
Jacksonville Jaguars - really?
Tennessee Titans - Walker had a career year last year, unfortunately it was 571 yrds and 6 TDs (double his previous best). JG might have always dreamed of a career in Nashville
AFC East
Buffalo Bills - Another team that would love him (though Chandler is solid); why would he want to go there... ummm it's completely opposite of New Orleans in every way imaginable...
Miami Dolphins - Fasano had a solid year, again JG is much better. He went to College in Miami, maybe he wants to return.
New England Patriots - while they hate to spend money, they haven't been able to find a decent WR to save their lives but they looked awesome with Hernandez/Gronk, how sick would that be. For JG, Great coach/QB combo, I won't say it's an upgrade from Peyton/Brees but it's certainly not a decline either.
New York Jets - I'm tired and going to bed, This team is awful and should just move to Los Angeles already.
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