This Graham thing is getting out of control

[zippo59]

GRAHAM TO LIGHT UP THE TIGHT END MARKET?

There's talk in league circles that free-agent tight end Daniel Graham will ink a deal with $12 million to sign and a value of $5 million a year. And with up to six team actively chasing the block-first, catch-second tight end, the market for other tight ends will likely open up once Graham reaches an agreement.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

I really like Grahambo, but the way teams are acting it's like he's Kellen Winslow Sr. or something. Is everyone going crazy? Graham is a nice player but he isn't Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez.

 

[Brady to Brown]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

I really like Grahambo, but the way teams are acting it's like he's Kellen Winslow Sr. or something. Is everyone going crazy? Graham is a nice player but he isn't Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez.

If he missed half the 2007 due to injury it would not surprise me.

 

[signbabybrady]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

I really like Grahambo, but the way teams are acting it's like he's Kellen Winslow Sr. or something. Is everyone going crazy? Graham is a nice player but he isn't Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez.

the rings the thing that draws the interest not to mention he was a captain and many believe underutilized. couple that with the extra money around and he should be real happy when he inks his deal.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

It's just the way the market is right now. Dan Snyder's going to play London Fletcher 5 million a year. I don't think there's too many teams out there who would match it. SO the market for Fletcher is 5 million. Ditto for Drew Bennett who I like but is not worth what he's going to get.

 

[broadwayjoe]

Graham is the best tight end on the open market so he will get paid and coming out of college he did win the John Mackey award so we will see if he can produce when the ball is thrown to him more. Earlier in his career he had the dropsies so his chances of the getting the ball more in the Pats offense was his on fault in my opinion.

 

[BigMike]

like Damien Woody, David Givens, these ring bearers are cashing in on their success....its all about the dollars.

 

[shirtsleeve]

Three rings to rule them all!

 

[zippo59]

Three rings to rule them all!

Actually Dan only has two.

 

[BigMike]

GUys, hes gone - thats what Im hearing. G-O_N_E...

 

[Keegs]

haha it is out of control. all of a sudden he is the greatest tight end ever.

 

[BigMike]

call it the Patriots My$tique -- Dannys time to ca$h in.

 

[patchick]

call it the Patriots My$tique -- Dannys time to ca$h in.

You know something? He's a guy who I can't begrudge the windfall. He's been a hard worker, solid citizen, taken on the unglamorous jobs, and may well see a shortened career given the beating his shoulders have taken. Thanks Dan, and good luck.

 

[zippo59]

You know something? He's a guy who I can't begrudge the windfall. He's been a hard worker, solid citizen, taken on the unglamorous jobs, and may well see a shortened career given the beating his shoulders have taken. Thanks Dan, and good luck.

I'm certainly not holding it against Dan the point was just how over zealous these teams get around this time. I think they lose a lot of perspective.

 

[Rob0729]

This is the era of the TE. With all these teams playing cover2 and using smaller faster defenses, teams are using TEs more and more. With the safeties playing 10-15 yards off the line, teams are exploiting the middle with TEs. Everyone wants the next Antonio Gates. Graham is the closest thing to it in this year's free agency.

I would love to have Graham back, but I resigned myself last year to knowing he was probably gone. I knew someone was going to pay him serius #1 money and we weren't going to pay that. Belichick and Pioli knew this too considering they drafted both Dave Thomas and Garrett Mills last year.

 

[amazinPats]

I hope somebody pays him a ton. We could use a high compensatory pick.

 

[BelichickFan]

This is the era of the TE. With all these teams playing cover2 and using smaller faster defenses, teams are using TEs more and more. With the safeties playing 10-15 yards off the line, teams are exploiting the middle with TEs. Everyone wants the next Antonio Gates. Graham is the closest thing to it in this year's free agency.

He may be the closest thing to it but that would be like saying a Ford Taurus is the closest thing to a Ferrari if there were nothing in between. Closest . . . but not close. I liked Graham, he was solid and tough. But I doubt we'll notice him gone and he surely isn't a $5M a year player.

 

[zippo59]

Christ he already has three team visits lined up.

This is a joke.

 

[salty]

Look, we've got Ben Watson and David Thomas. We will miss Dan's blocking, for sure, but we are still pretty well set at the position. Bring in a cheap veteran blocking tight end and call it good.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Hey, dissappointing as it may be to a Pats fan, it's a done deal. No need to turn on the guy, I agree w/Patschick. Good luck, and play in the NFC if you can.

The really interesting part is that its his blocking that set him apart from the crowd, even though he wanted it to be his pass catching. Well, maybe he'll get that chance now with no Ben Watson around...

PFnV

 

[ChoWZa]

I just don't see Daniel Graham as a significant loss. He made a few good catches but we're set at TE.