NFL Player News

The Saints aren't going to let Jimmy Graham get away, but they have difficult decisions to make as they try to keep the All-Pro tight end at the best price.

New Orleans could work out a long-term deal with Graham, whose rookie deal is expiring. They could give him the franchise tag by March 3 or apply the tag in hopes of hammering out a long-term deal by the mid-July deadline, as they did with Drew Brees in 2012, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

The paper notes the Saints sent Graham at least two contract offers leading up to this offseason, "but the two sides haven't had much dialogue on the matter." If New Orleans slaps the tag on him, Graham could argue he should be paid as a receiver because he often splits out wide. The difference between the tag for wideouts and tight ends was $4.5 million in 2013, according to ProFootballTalk.com.

Coach Sean Payton said the Saints will be in good shape despite their salary cap constraints. "We have smart fans," he said. "They're smart enough to understand that, just like we have in years past, we're going to make the decisions as best we can for our club moving forward and they're going to be able to read closely between the lines and understand that we're going to be in good shape."

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen, who underwent hip surgery in October, expects to be medically cleared in late February, reports the Herald Bulletin. Allen caught 45 passes for 521 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie in 2012 before injuries limited him to one game this season.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham finished Saturday with more pregame altercations (two) than receptions (one). And he didn't even snag that one until 13 seconds remained in the game and his team was all but doomed.

Graham got into a pair of verbal confrontations with Seattle players before the game, then went out and laid an egg against the best secondary in the sport. He was targeted five times before finally catching an 8-yard pass with time running out.

Asked if Graham was trash talking during the game, Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman replied, "A lot of swear words."

A second pre-game scuffle took place before the game between the Saints and Seahawks in Seattle, according to various reports. This one pitted Saints tight end Jimmy Graham against Seahawks defensive backs Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman. Graham and Sherman had to be separated.

More details have emerged about the verbal skirmish between Saints tight end Jimmy Graham and the Seahawks during warmups before the playoff clash in Seattle. It revolved mostly around Graham and Seattle outside linebacker Bruce Irvin, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

The report stated that Graham reached out and ripped the knit hat off Irvin's head. Other Seahawks joined in the verbal sparring and a member of the Saints' staff was forced to restrain Graham.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham shouted at Seahawks players who apparently got into his work space as the team warmed up before their playoff game, several media outlets have reported. There was no report that either side got physical.

The Falcons signed cornerback Jordan Mabin, receiver Dominique Croom and tight end Mickey Schuler to reserve/futures contracts, enabling them to participate in offseason workouts. All three spent time on the team's practice squad in 2013.

The Eagles signed receiver B.J. Cunningham, linebackers Emmanuel Acho and Travis Long, defensive end Brandon Bair, offensive tackle Michael Bamiro, tight end/fullback Emil Igwenagu and quarterback G.J. Kinne to reserve/futures contracts.

The Bengals have made RB Rex Burkhead, CB Terence Newman, OT Tanner Hawkinson, WR Ryan Whalen, WR Dane Sanzenbacher, DT Ogemdi Nwagbuo and TE Kevin Brock inactive against the Chargers.

Newman is the only player on the list who was on the injury report. He was doubtful due to a knee injury. The other six players are healthy scratches.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham led the way with only three catches for 44 yards in his team's 26-24 win over the Eagles in the Wild Card playoff round. He was targeted four times.

Graham made catches for 21, 6 and then 17 yards -- all in the first half. He was held without a catch or a target in the second half. He has been held to five receptions or fewer in each of his last four games played.

The Saints will travel to Seattle for a showdown against the Seahawks in the second round of the playoffs. Graham caught three of nine targets for 42 yards and a touchdown in his previous meeting against Seattle this season.