NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans Saints have placed their franchise tag on Jimmy Graham in order to protect the clubs rights to its star tight end through next season. [url=https://www.cheapmavericks.com/]Dallas Mavericks Gear[/url] . The move means Graham, barring a holdout, will almost certainly play

NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans Saints have placed their franchise tag on Jimmy Graham in order to protect the clubs rights to its star tight end through next season. Dallas Mavericks Gear . The move means Graham, barring a holdout, will almost certainly play for New Orleans next season for no less than the tight end franchise tag of $7.04 million. It is also possible, under the NFLs collective bargaining agreement, that Graham could be tagged as a receiver because of how often he lined up split wide from the line. That would carry a tag of $12.3 million. However, since the Saints only placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Graham, according to a report from ESPN, teams can still try to sign the star but the Saints would be able to match any offer or be compensated with two first-round draft picks from the signing team. Once Grahams tag has been determined, the two sides could continue to argue that matter before an arbitrator. That appears to be the likely process as both side aim to determine precisely how much negotiating leverage they have before hammering out a long-term deal. Similarly, the Saints use their franchise tag on quarterback Drew Brees in March 2012, then needed a little more than four months to work out the five-year, $100 million deal Brees signed shortly before training camp. Like Brees, Graham is represented by Creative Artists Agency. They do not have the same agent. Graham is represented by Jimmy Sexton and Brees by Tom Condon. The move, confirmed by team spokesman Greg Bensel, was expected as part of what is widely anticipated to be a protracted negotiation between the team and one of the best young tight ends in the NFL Graham has said publicly during the Pro Bowl in February that it would be "unfortunate," if the team used the franchise tag on him, but on Friday he reacted to the move with subtle humour. Afterward, Graham wrote on his Twitter account, "Confirming its officially Franchisefriday... TAG ... I guess Im it." Graham, a former college basketball who played one year of football at Miami, was drafted by the Saints in 2010. Last season, he led the Saints in catches with 86, yards with 1,215 and touchdowns with 16. He has led the Saints in catches in each of the past three seasons, while leading the club in yards receiving and touchdowns in two of the last three seasons. During the past three regular seasons combined, he has 270 catches for 3,507 yards and 36 touchdowns. Jason Kidd Jersey . Needing to bulk up on both sides of the line, the Falcons agreed to terms with guard Jon Asamoah, defensive end Tyson Jackson and defensive tackle Paul Soliai. Asamoah and Jackson played last season with Kansas City, where Asamoah lost his starting job. Jason Terry Jersey . -- Oakland Athletics third baseman Scott Sizemore has undergone surgery on his left knee to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. https://www.cheapmavericks.com/323l-jamal-mashburn-jersey-mavericks.html . -- Jake Paterson made 39 saves as the Saginaw Spirit halted the Guelph Storms seven-game win streak with a 6-3 victory on Sunday in Ontario Hockey League action.NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger finished a second straight game sidelined by a sprained right shoulder, and hell spend Monday the same way he did a week ago with another MRI.Mettenberger started Sunday against the New York Giants despite spraining his throwing shoulder a week ago in a loss at Houston. He reinjured his shoulder when sacked by linebacker Devon Kennard for the second time. Mettenberger stayed down for a few minutes before heading to the sideline and then the locker room.It doesnt feel good right now, but honestly I cant tell you, Mettenberger said when asked if his shoulder feels worse than a week agoo. Delon Wright Jersey. Well see tomorrow with the MRI.Jake Locker replaced Mettenberger for a second straight week. He was sacked on his second play as the Titans turned over the ball on downs. The Giants won 36-7 and finished with eight sacks.Titans cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson also dislocated a shoulder in the first quarter, while safety Daimion Stafford was being evaluated for a concussion. Right tackle Byron Stingily hurt an ankle, tried to come back and couldnt.Needless to say we had a number of injuries, and they hurt us, Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '