Graham could be free agent

[dragondawg]

New England: Today could be tight end Daniel Graham's final game for the Patriots if their season ends in the AFC championship game at Indianapolis. He is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent and will be popular on the open market, if he gets there.

The Pats could slap the franchise tag on Graham, who attended Thomas Jefferson High and the University of Colorado. Cornerback Asante Samuel is another candidate for New England's franchise tag.

If Graham is left unprotected, Denver would be a potential landing spot. His name was rumored in potential Ashley Lelie trades last summer. Graham would be a good fit for Denver's plan along with rising youngster Tony Scheffler. Graham is excellent in the run game and is also a weapon in the passing game.

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_5054257

[Dukes]

I never knew he went to TJ. It would be great to have him, but he won't come cheap

[maven]

What is the infatuation with this guy? He's a blocking TE who catches balls every now & then. I don't know how many times I've read we must get this guy. He's avg Joe at TE. He blocks and catches some passes. Big whoop for the amount of hype a lot of people post regarding Graham. Must be because he's a Buff. He's from CO? Seriously, what is it?

[BigPlayShay]

What is the infatuation with this guy? He's a blocking TE who catches balls every now & then. I don't know how many times I've read we must get this guy. He's avg Joe at TE. He blocks and catches some passes. Big whoop for the amount of hype a lot of people post regarding Graham. Must be because he's a Buff. He's from CO? Seriously, what is it?

He is a very good blocker and can catch the **** out of the ball. He is faster than you think he is. He and Scheffler together would be a sickening TE duo.

[maven]

He is a very good blocker and can catch the **** out of the ball.

He is a good blocker. If he was so great at catching the ball then why do the Patriots draft Ben Watson in the 2nd round? And why does Ben Watson get double the catches, triple the yards, and more TD's? He's an all right player. By reading this board you'd think he's top 5 TE.

[Florida_Bronco]

He is a good blocker. If he was so great at catching the ball then why do the Patriots draft Ben Watson in the 2nd round? And why does Ben Watson get double the catches, triple the yards, and more TD's? He's an all right player. By reading this board you'd think he's top 5 TE.

Alot of it probably has to do with his Colorado roots. For the record though, he's generally regarded as one of the best blocking TEs in the game.

[Jens1893]

He is a good blocker. If he was so great at catching the ball then why do the Patriots draft Ben Watson in the 2nd round? And why does Ben Watson get double the catches, triple the yards, and more TD's? He's an all right player. By reading this board you'd think he's top 5 TE.

The Pats use Double TE sets a lot.

[broncs2bowl]

yo do we really need to blow money on Grahm when we need to use it on D-line ane more pressing issues. Besides Sheffler is a much better receiver then Grahm and Alexander can block. Sheffler is learning to block better as well.

If this was last season I would have loved Grahm but right now I want D-lineman!!!!

[broncs2bowl]

yo do we really need to blow money on Grahm when we need to use it on D-line ane more pressing issues. Besides Sheffler is a much better receiver then Grahm and Alexander can block. Sheffler is learning to block better as well.

If this was last season I would have loved Grahm but right now I want D-lineman!!!!

[plummershelper]

He is a very good blocker and can catch the **** out of the ball.

There's **** in footballs??

[Drek]

What is the infatuation with this guy? He's a blocking TE who catches balls every now & then. I don't know how many times I've read we must get this guy. He's avg Joe at TE. He blocks and catches some passes. Big whoop for the amount of hype a lot of people post regarding Graham. Must be because he's a Buff. He's from CO? Seriously, what is it?

Graham is a plus blocker who is also a good short yardage/red zone threat in the passing game, much like Bubba Franks. He'd make an ideal compliment to Scheffler, who has a skillset very much like Ben Watson. Weak blocker with great size/speed combo and route running/pass catching skills. Those types of TEs are less effective in the red zone, while the Graham/Franks types do better there, thanks to their all around game and size. Combined with our increased two TE set usage there is a very significant role we could give to Graham.

Is it worth the ~$3M per season he'll probably get? Who knows for sure, but I wouldn't complain if Shanahan thought it was a good use of some cap space. I also wouldn't complain if he takes someone like Ben Patrick or Matt Spaeth in the early second day though.

[Orange_Beard]

Will he work cheap? If so bring him in.

[RunSilentRunDeep]

Graham is regarded by many as THE best blocking TE in the game. He's got good hands and is a big target. So what if he'll only catch 20 balls? If he helps convert 3rd-and-1 consistently then he's worth the money. Also, a huge character guy. Never can get enough of those, especially with the clock ticking on Smith, Lynch and Nalen.

[s0phr0syne]

...why do the Patriots draft Ben Watson in the 2nd round? And why does Ben Watson get double the catches, triple the yards, and more TD's?



I think last year's playoff game vs. Denver illustrated exactly why they drafted Watson.



Watson is a great talent, and his stats reflected the nature of the NE receiving corps at the beginning of the season. They've trickled off as Brady grew more and more comfortable with his supporting cast.


I think Graham would be a solid veteran addition to the team, if they let Alexander go. Alexander is probably just as good at blocking, but Graham has a bit more to offer in the passing game.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Is it worth the ~$3M per season he'll probably get?

Hilarious!

$3M a year? People need to realize that they should stop looking to the past when trying to judge what kind of deals players are going to get this offseason. If they don't, they are going to be completely surprised by the figures thrown around.

I will not be surprised if Clements or Samuels get a larger deal than Champ's, and if Graham gets a deal that is more than $5M per season.

[yerner]

why the heck would anyone want to pay 5million to Graham? I'm not saying you're wrong, just its really surprising that anyone would do that. I've seen him play, he's pretty good. Maybe top 20 in league. So no, unless he comes cheap and can beat out alexander and Nate ' I have comprimising picutures of Shanny' Jackson. Also, he needs to not care about never catching a pass. Sheffler's Hall of Fame career gets into high gear next year and nobody better get in the way less his man love boy Cutler will brain you with a pass to the back of the head.

Sorry, that's just a ridiculious way of saying no to Graham.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Sorry, that's just a ridiculious way of saying no to Graham.

You're right it is, and Graham would easily beat out both Alexander and Jackson. There'd be no need to carry 5 TEs anymore.

I love this board. People are willing to sign 2 new starters on the OL this offseason, or claim they have the plan to switch to a 3-4 and realistic expectations of money be damned, but God forbid that Denver actually goes out and signs someone who is basically a 6th OL when he's on the field. The point of cap room is to spend it, and in FA you will have to overpay for anyone, that's how the game works. It'll be even more inflated this year because of all the cap room everyone has.

Do any of you actually think Shanny didn't have an idea of how much Graham would cost to re-sign when he was trying to trade for him last offseason? Shanny wanted Graham so bad that he was actually trying to broker a 3-team deal to find something that the Pats would take so they'd let him go.

If Graham doesn't get tagged, there are going to be a lot of disappointed people on this board when one of Denver's first signings is a lowly TE.

[PatsWin2002]

The Patriots named Daniel Graham one of the team captains this year so they must want to keep him if they can.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

The Patriots named Daniel Graham one of the team captains this year so they must want to keep him if they can.

With Watson, Thomas, and the other TE they drafted last year? I can see it, but that's a lot of resources tied up in TEs even with the other 3 all on their rookie deals. If they plan to let Watson walk when his deal is up, I wouldn't be surprised to see them keep Graham.

[Rascal]

You're right it is, and Graham would easily beat out both Alexander and Jackson. There'd be no need to carry 5 TEs anymore.

I love this board. People are willing to sign 2 new starters on the OL this offseason, or claim they have the plan to switch to a 3-4 and realistic expectations of money be damned, but God forbid that Denver actually goes out and signs someone who is basically a 6th OL when he's on the field. The point of cap room is to spend it, and in FA you will have to overpay for anyone, that's how the game works. It'll be even more inflated this year because of all the cap room everyone has.

Do any of you actually think Shanny didn't have an idea of how much Graham would cost to re-sign when he was trying to trade for him last offseason? Shanny wanted Graham so bad that he was actually trying to broker a 3-team deal to find something that the Pats would take so they'd let him go.

If Graham doesn't get tagged, there are going to be a lot of disappointed people on this board when one of Denver's first signings is a lowly TE.

I hope I'm disappointed.

IMO if we get Graham and resign Carlisle our offense is set. And that's even without getting a better RB. IMO Graham can dramatically improve our running game and passing game.

[Jens1893]

The Patriots named Daniel Graham one of the team captains this year so they must want to keep him if they can.

One franchise tag only tho ... and I´d be surprised if that tag wasn´t slapped on Samuel.

[Drek]

Hilarious!

$3M a year? People need to realize that they should stop looking to the past when trying to judge what kind of deals players are going to get this offseason. If they don't, they are going to be completely surprised by the figures thrown around.

I will not be surprised if Clements or Samuels get a larger deal than Champ's, and if Graham gets a deal that is more than $5M per season.

Honestly that wouldn't totally surprise me, but at that point we have to ask ourselves if Mustard or a draftable TE can fill that same role for a fraction of the price.

I'm not really worried about Shanahan taking this team into the next regular season well under the cap like the Pats did this year. FAs as a whole will be pretty pricey this year though, and I think its why teams are talking about tagging guys like Corey Redding, far from elite but the FA tag for each position could skyrocket after this offseason.

[PatsWin2002]

Anyone else hate the franchise tag for the sole reason that it pisses the player off?

Nothing quite like showing a player that you think so much of him that you'd hate to lose him and making him so mad he wants to leave.... in one fell swoop.

The Watson thing intrigues me. He's an awesome physical specimen that gives us great mismatches on offense....but then the fumbles and drops are killers.

Brady and Watson never seem to be on the same page.....throws land at his feet....missed opportunities with nobody within 20 yards of him. Could be Brady too, but he gets the benefit of the doubt.

[JoRo]

yo do we really need to blow money on Grahm when we need to use it on D-line ane more pressing issues. Besides Sheffler is a much better receiver then Grahm and Alexander can block. Sheffler is learning to block better as well.

If this was last season I would have loved Grahm but right now I want D-lineman!!!!

Actually Alexander is below average as a blocker and pass catcher

[footstepsfrom#27]

Enough with the Daniel Graham love. We already have our TE. Any money we spend in free agency better be to find Georgina Foster's replacement.

[Traveler]

You're right it is, and Graham would easily beat out both Alexander and Jackson. There'd be no need to carry 5 TEs anymore.

I love this board. People are willing to sign 2 new starters on the OL this offseason, or claim they have the plan to switch to a 3-4 and realistic expectations of money be damned, but God forbid that Denver actually goes out and signs someone who is basically a 6th OL when he's on the field. The point of cap room is to spend it, and in FA you will have to overpay for anyone, that's how the game works. It'll be even more inflated this year because of all the cap room everyone has.

Do any of you actually think Shanny didn't have an idea of how much Graham would cost to re-sign when he was trying to trade for him last offseason? Shanny wanted Graham so bad that he was actually trying to broker a 3-team deal to find something that the Pats would take so they'd let him go.

If Graham doesn't get tagged, there are going to be a lot of disappointed people on this board when one of Denver's first signings is a lowly TE.


Thank you for this post! Signing Graham could possibly free up two roster spots. With Graham, Scheffler, and Mustard, we'd be set at TE for the forseeable future.

[Popps]

Unless Graham comes cheap, I don't see the point. I think Sheffler has the potential to outplay him next year, and Alexander is a great blocker and has decent hands.

If it's an extremely cap-friendly contract, great. If not, I can't see why we'd bother when we have so many other pressing needs.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Anyone else hate the franchise tag for the sole reason that it pisses the player off?

I like, but there are two problems I have with it:

1. Tagging players who are good, but by no means franchise-type players. It articificially escalates player salaries.

2. Tagging players for multiple years because you can't work a deal out with the guy. I think there should be a limit on the number of times you can tag a player consecutively, and I'm happy that players are starting to sign their tags under the condition that the team won't tag them again the next season if a deal can't be worked out.

[Garcia Bronco]

Grahram would be number 1 on any Free Agent board. He's easily the best TE out there.

[fontaine]

Our power formations last year were a joke.

We had two TEs that could barely block, a struggling RT, and an average FB who's a better pass catcher than blocker, with a RB who was injury prone.

And we wonder why our running game was struggling towards the end of the season.

Lock Erik Pears in the training room this offseason with frequent visits by the Greek, sign Graham, get Kuper involved in the rushing offense. And with Mike Bell learning after his rookie year we should get a little closer to being a tougher rushing team.

[elsid13]

Thank you for this post! Signing Graham could possibly free up two roster spots. With Graham, Scheffler, and Mustard, we'd be set at TE for the forseeable future.

Don't sleep on Leach, he doesn't do much but what he does is critical to the team. He is one of those unsong guys that make a difference in ST

[BroncoBuff]

Thank you for this post! Signing Graham could possibly free up two roster spots. With Graham, Scheffler, and Mustard, we'd be set at TE for the forseeable future.
I dunno .... I think Jackson is ahead of Mustard. He is the coach's favorite, and they've stuck by him through 2+ years of injuries and a position change. And he plays special teams. Now I'm gonna ask this question for about the 10th time - if anybody knows, please answer cause I'd like to know:

1) As a former OT, Mustard can block .... but can he catch?
2) As a former WR, Jackson can catch .... but can he block?

I'm a Buff and I can't see paying Graham's salary .... I think we're 4-deep and cheap at TE (5 counting Leach). Let's fix the broken parts of our car instead of adding chrome to the working parts ...

[Barry Ramey]

I'd like the Broncos to go after Graham. I'm just not a big Alexander fan and this would allow them to release him. Graham is a better blocker and receiver than Alexander, plus is younger too. I know I'd rather they sign him than spend way too much money on a DL that isn't really worth the money.

[Traveler]

I dunno .... I think Jackson is ahead of Mustard. He is the coach's favorite, and they've stuck by him through 2+ years of injuries and a position change. And he plays special teams. Now I'm gonna ask this question for about the 10th time - if anybody knows, please answer cause I'd like to know:

1) As a former OT, Mustard can block .... but can he catch?
2) As a former WR, Jackson can catch .... but can he block?

I'm a Buff and I can't see paying Graham's salary .... I think we're 4-deep and cheap at TE (5 counting Leach). Let's fix the broken parts of our car instead of adding chrome to the working parts ...

He might be a the coaches favorite. But what good is he if he can't stay healthy? I won't even count Leach because his value is derived on ST.

As BR stated above, obtaining Graham would free up possibly two spots for us. His blocking would upgrade us over Alexander and his ability to be a factor in the passing game would fill the limited opportunities that Jackson afforded us.

[defenseman]

Graham won't be cheap. Broncos can't afford him with the other holes they need to fill. Don't see this one happening..dman

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

You're right it is, and Graham would easily beat out both Alexander and Jackson. There'd be no need to carry 5 TEs anymore.
.

That's the key right there. You open that roster spot. His salary will be greater than Alexander and Jackson combined, but he is twice the player of both combined.

[Steve Sewell]

What is the infatuation with this guy? He's a blocking TE who catches balls every now & then. I don't know how many times I've read we must get this guy. He's avg Joe at TE. He blocks and catches some passes. Big whoop for the amount of hype a lot of people post regarding Graham. Must be because he's a Buff. He's from CO? Seriously, what is it?

Not "a blocking TE", but "THE blocking TE"...IMO the best blocking TE in the league. He would do wonders for our running game.

All I hear in NE games is "what a great block by Dan Graham" on pretty much every big running play.