As most Saints fans already know, Jimmy Graham is in the final year of his rookie contract and so far, he's playing like it's a contract year. I'm just wondering how the team is going to afford both Drew and Graham, while still leaving money to offer others and remain competitive. Drew is already on the record as saying he'll restructure, if needed. No word yet on how much the Saints have offered, but I'm sure Graham is going to be looking for money similar to what the Patriots paid Gronkowski last year when he signed for roughly $10m a year for 5 seasons. http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2013/09/saints_have_made_contract_offe.html
I hope they do what they have to do to keep Graham. Get creative with the cap, restructure some contracts, whatever. Last year the Saints made a huge mistake by not coming up with a way to pay Jermon Bushrod and now Drew Brees is paying the price. No way Charles Brown can fill those shoes. Start saving up the money now by cutting Mark Ingram. The Saints have made so many bad deals in the past its time to do something right. If the Patriots can pay both Tom Brady and Gronk then the Saints can pay both Brees and mGraham
They know what they have in Graham and won't let him get away. In addition to being a colossal football mistake, it would be a PR nightmare. I agree with you about creating cap space by getting rid of Ingram. And as much as I hate to say it because I admire him and what's he's given to this franchise, it may also be time to part ways with Vilma. He seems to be injured more than he plays the last couple of years. Also, I don't think Will Smith can contribute much at LB, which is where he plays in Ryan's scheme. I just don't think he has the speed for it. Those 3 contracts alone, plus if Drew restructures, should be enough to sign Graham and keep/acquire any free agents we may need. I also think they learned from Drew's negotiations and hopefully get a new deal done soon, so it doesn't drag out like before.
It's gonna cost us $12 million a year to keep him. Might cripple the team going forward. Thank God we did so well with the draft and UDFAs this offseason.
Charles Brown is in no way the issue for the sacks on Brees this season. It's most of the other guys on the line.
Why are they negotiating contracts during the season? They should have extended him before the season and let everyone concentrate on football during the season. Pay him what you have to pay him to keep him here and happy. Find some discount undrafted free agents or late round picks to fill positions.
I agree. Who knows why they do it this way. I guess they believe since everyone is a professional, they can separate the business side of it. Since they have decided to negotiate in season, they need to just do it and get it over with.
Didn't Loomis and Co. specially refuse to negotiate in season with Brees in season or am I remembering it wrong? Many football GMs do it that way. Clearly it's not affecting his output so far, but there's so many problems it can potentially cause. His agent is Jimmy Sexton. A lot of his clients are coaches (Saban is one). He can't be any tougher to deal with than Tom Condon was on Brees's deal.
No, the Saints and Brees both mutually agreed to push off negotiations til after the season was over.
Two thoughts.....Putting off Brees' negotiation until after the season didn't seem to do any good. And, opening Graham's talks now doesn't seem to be hurting his performance.
