JoeSixPat

With Jason Witten agreeing to a 7 year $29 mil contract (including a $6 mil signing bonus) it seems to me that Graham's market value is significantly less than that.

Recognizing that we don't know the "true" value of Witten's contract yet - specifically how backloaded it is - Witten's numbers are significantly better than Graham's. He's been generally injury free and, not counting his rookie year, has had seasons of 66 and 87 catches. Not bad for a 3rd round pick.

Hopefully Graham's agent makes note of this, and forgets about the fact that Graham's a former 1st round draft choice when entering negotiations. Sure Graham's a great blocker - as good or better than most offensive linemen... but then again, one wouldn't want to go into a game with an offensive lineman lining up at TE.

Looking at Witten's contract, I'm thinking that Graham's value can't be more than $2 mil a season, with a $3 mil signing bonus if he's lucky.

At those numbers I think everyone would welcome him back.

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Pats726

I agreee would like Graham back..but he may wish to venture out and depart...

Isaac

Yes, I suspect that regardless of contract numbers, Graham will seek greener pastures---a single tight end team where he will be used primarily as a pass catcher. I hope not, we'll miss him.

spacecrime

You can't keep Graham out of passing situations and then say you are as good as other TEs because you don't catch a lot of passes.

The fact that he blocks as well as a TE does not diminish his value, but raises it.

Regarding number of catches etc, the only pertinent questin is: Who is the better pass catcher: Witten or Graham? If they are about equal (not withnmbers but with ability) then they are qorth equal pay. Give Graham an edge because of blocking.

Not that he will get it, but it should indicate his worth.

Don't knock his blocking ability and turn it into a negative. It is because he can both block and catch effectively that keeps defenses honest.

I guess the question is: Would you trade him straight up for Witten? If they answer is maybe, then they are about equal. If you would trade in a heartbeat, then sure, he is worth less. If you wouldn't trade, then don't think you can him for less than Witten, never mind half of Wittens value.

BelichickFan

I doubt Graham is worth much less than Witten. He can do enough of everything to make that arguement - except for staying healthy. Unfortunately this contract will also push the TE Franchise number up some although it's not so big that it'll blow it out too much. I think a "sign and trade" (I know it's a basketball thing but it applies) after being Franchised to entirely possible if they can't agree long term.

pats1

Witten is actually getting a $12 million, two-tiered signing bonus - $6 million this year, $6 million next.

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/football/15100963.htm

jeffd

I think you are making the mistake of looking at Grahams value from the perspective of a sports writer or fantasy owner and not an NFL GM. All GM's know the value of a TE that can catch and block. I once watched Graham nearly single handedly take Dwight Freeny out of a game. I've also seen him become a "must double team" red zone threat. He is absolutely a top five value at the position. FAR ABOVE WITTEN.

I'm Ron Borges?

Come on you guys. Witten both blocks and catches passes. He's one of the best overall tight ends in the game. Graham stays in to block for a reason: he's not a great receiver. He's dropped a number of balls since he came to New England and found his niche as a blocker. There's nothing wrong with that but you can find a blocking tight end anywhere and the Patriots already have Watson and Thomas to catch the football. Putting Graham - a first round bust if we are being completey honest - in Witten's class is a joke. Graham is a decent player and nothing more. Witten is a Pro Bowler who wil proabably only get better. There is no comparison. Graham is closer to Dan Campbell than he is Witten.

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mcsully

2 or 3 million? Are you kidding.. No way he'll take that deal at all.. In free Agency alone he'll make close to what witten is makingl.. Which means that pats have to double what you are saying they should offer..

JoeSixPat

I've long felt that after everyone initially failed to recognize Graham's blocking skills, it became fashionable for a lot of fans to wax poetic about how great it is to have a TE who can play like an OL, rather than a TE who can play like a TE.

The pendulum has swung so far in the opposite direction that many fans seem to equate his value to that of a TE who's good for 60-90 receptions a season - i.e. worth $4mil - $6 mil a season depending on which contract report is correct. (The Boston Herald reported 7 years $29 mil).

I know our OL has had injuried, requiring Graham to use those blocking skills more, but other teams have had OL injuries as well, and their TEs still put up signficant numbers.

The bottom line is that the Patriots are not going to pay Graham anything remotely close to what Witten received, and if Graham is expecting that, don't expect to see him back next year.

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