The Saints and tight end Jimmy Graham got a long-term contract extension done on Tuesday just ahead of the deadline for players slapped with franchise tags to sign multi-year deals with their teams, ending a protracted standoff about whether Graham should be paid like a tight end or a wide receiver in time for Graham to be a full participant in training camp.
The deal is a lucrative one for Graham and, as you’d imagine, he’s feeling good about getting the contract issue squared away before missing any of camp or the regular season.
“I’m beyond excited,” Graham said, via the team’s website. “I didn’t get into to football to learn litigation. I got into football to win games with my teammates, friends and coaches. I am extremely happy to get back to what it’s really about.”
With the contract questions settled, Graham can now focus on how he’ll celebrate any touchdowns he scores this season. Graham has celebrated previous scores by dunking the ball over the crossbar in a nod to his basketball background, but the league has outlawed such celebrations this season. Graham says he’s “trying to figure that out,” but promises he won’t fill the dancing void left when wide receiver Lance Moore signed with the Steelers.