METAIRIE, La. -- The NFL Players Association confirmed Wednesday that it filed a grievance on behalf of Jimmy Graham concerning the Saints tight ends franchise tag designation. At issue is whether the NFL was correct to apply the tight end tag to Graham or whether Graham should have received the more lucrative wide receiver tag, a difference of $5 million. The NFLs current collective bargaining agreement states that a player should be tagged according to the position at which he lined up most often. Graham and his agent, Jimmy Sexton, are contending that the frequency with which Graham lined up split out from the line merits the $12.3 million receivers franchise tag, not the $7 million tight end tag. No date for a grievance hearing has been set, but the filing alone could provide Graham with a measure of additional leverage as he seeks to have his franchise tag designation removed in favour of a long-term extension. July 15 is the final day a team can sign 2014 franchise players to long-term extensions. Grahams agent, Jimmy Sexton, did not return a message seeking comment on the matter. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Wednesday there had been no progress to report on negotiations with Graham. The Saints have asserted that lining up split from the line is a significant part of every tight ends job description. When asked in January whether the Saints viewed Graham as a tight end under the leagues CBA, Loomis responded: "Isnt that what we drafted him as? Isnt that what he made the Pro Bowl as? Thats what we see him as -- a tight end. "The tight end has always been part of the passing game," Loomis continued. "Hes part of the running game. So hes part of both. So are receivers. So are running backs." According to an analysis by ESPN Stats and Information, Graham lined up split out from the line on 67 per cent of his snaps -- 45 per cent of the time in the slot and 22 per cent out wide. Unless the Saints and Graham pre-emptively agree on a long-term deal, an arbitrator may have to decide whether those numbers alone, under the language of the CBA, would require the league to apply the receiver designation to Graham. If so, it likely would set a precedent for negotiations involving other tight ends who figure prominently in their teams passing games, and could substantially lower the franchise tag number for tight ends who more often line up next to offensive tackles. It could also affect other positions in which players have varying roles, most notably some outside linebackers in a 3-4 defensive scheme, who could argue their right to receive the higher defensive end tag. . Last year, Islanders forward Colin Mcdonald released a "Do It For Colin" campaign to promote his teammate and friend John Tavares for the EA sports honour:The most popular sports voting video ever has to go to Chris Bosh who showcased his comedic abilities in his effort to get fans to vote him into the 2008 All Star Game:You can vote for TJ and other star players for the NHL 15 cover vote here. . Last year, Islanders forward Colin Mcdonald released a "Do It For Colin" campaign to promote his teammate and friend John Tavares for the EA sports honour:The most popular sports voting video ever has to go to Chris Bosh who showcased his comedic abilities in his effort to get fans to vote him into the 2008 All Star Game:You can vote for TJ and other star players for the NHL 15 cover vote here.
http://www.cheapnhlrangersjerseysauthen ... jei-jersey. One out away from finishing off an impressive shutout, they let a must-win game slip away. . He chirped to the caddie of Brandt Snedeker about their money game, a Mickelson tradition at the majors. Lefty was in good spirits Monday at the British Open, except for having to return the claret jug. . Rico dove horizontally to meet Andoni Iraolas precise long cross from the right to score his second league goal of the season in the 33rd minute. Two minutes later, Aritz Aduriz netted Bilbaos second when he raced forward and pounced on a poor clearance by Villarreal defender Mateo Musacchio, sending a low shot rolling past goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo.NEW YORK, N.Y. - It was a new day for Henrik Lundqvist, and the Rangers were looking forward rather than backwards. New York coach Alain Vigneault was anything but worried about his star goalie Wednesday, just hours after giving him the hook at 8:58 of the second period in the wake of four goals on 18 shots in what turned into a 7-4 loss to the Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final at the Bell Centre. "I just gave him a quick pat after the game, but Henrik doesnt need to hear anything from me," Vigneault said at a morning availability in Montreal before returning to New York. "Hes a veteran player. One of the best in his area, and Im sure hes going to be focused and ready for the next game." Vigneault, whose team rallied from 4-1 down to tie it at 4-4 before Montreal pulled away, discouraged further questions on the issue. "Dont worry about it. Its over with. Move on," he said when asked if he had ever put a goalie back in after pulling him. Game 6 goes Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers lead Montreal three games to two. Lundqvist was not made available on the off-day. But those teammates who did meet the media — all three alternate captains —were equally unconcerned about their goalie. Forward Brad Richards said he expects Lunddqvist to bounce back from the Game 5 letdown.dddddddddddd "I think you guys all see how competitive he is, and thats not going to sit well," he said. "Even when he plays good, hes focused. I would imagine were going to see one of his better performances, especially going back to his crowd and wanting to rebound from that. Its not something well have to worry about. We always know hell regroup." Added defenceman Marc Staal: "Yeah, hell be fine. Its the last concern of anyone on our team." Lundqvist came into Game 5 with a .931 save percentage in the playoffs. That was reduced to .926 Tuesday night. Lundqvists play was prominent in the New York tabloids. "King Sized Loss," was the New York Post back-page headline. "Yank Lundqvist," was the Daily News headline. Defenceman Dan Girardi said none of the Rangers liked seeing Lundqvist exit early. "Obviously, you dont want to see that in any game, let alone a playoff game," he said. "We didnt give him too much help, and obviously A.V. (Alain Vigneault) felt that was the right move just to get him out of the game. We didnt feel great about that, but we couldnt just sit there and mope around about it. "We had to do something about it. We did. We came back and tied it." ' ' '
