NFL Player News

With the July 15 deadline for the Saints and Jimmy Graham to reach a longterm contract agreement looming, the New Orleans Times-Picayune expects Graham's grievance to be heard "sooner rather than later." The paper said neither side "can saunter into this grievance process with 100 percent certainty it will exit victorious."

The Saints slapped the $7 million tight end franchise tag on Graham for 2014. He is seeking a wide receiver designation, which would pay $5.3 million more. The NFL Players Association filed a grievance on Graham's behalf Wednesday.

According to ESPN, Graham lined up wide 67 percent of the time last season. That figures to be the core of Graham's argument.

The NFL Players Association filed a grievance arguing the Saints' Jimmy Graham should be designated a wide receiver, reports USA Today. The team slapped the tight end franchise tag on Graham for 2014.

The tight end tag is worth $7.035 million, while the receiver tag is worth $12.312 million.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said earlier Wednesday he had no update on longterm contract talks with Graham.

The Eagles lost DeSean Jackson this offseason, and Fantasy owners are concerned their offense could struggle without a deep threat down the field. It's possible, but there's still plenty of talent for Fantasy owners to tap into even though Jackson is gone.

For an in-depth look at some of the top Eagles players -- Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy, Darren Sproles, Jeremy Maclin, Riley Cooper and Zach Ertz -- check out this blog I wrote in looking at their preseason outlooks. A lot can change between now and the start of the season, but here is one view on the Eagles heading into this year.

If you disagree, feel free to discuss any differences with me on Twitter @jameyeisenberg

Eagles coach Chip Kelly seems to believe that gigantic tight end Zach Ertz "can have a huge role" in 2014, helping the team replace receiver DeSean Jackson. The Philadelphia Inquirer noted that several Pro Bowl caliber tight ends made a huge jump from Year 1 to Year 2, including the likes of Antonio Gates, Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham. The paper believes he'll see a jump in playing time, especially if he can improve his blocking. 

"He's got the ability to be a flexed-out guy," Eagles GM Howie Roseman said. "He can play with his hand down. He can play in the slot. He can line up outside. He's a hard guy to cover because he's got really good feet, [and] obviously he's big."

The Falcons have signed tight end Bear Pascoe on Thursday, reports the team's official website.

Pascoe has spent all five seasons of his career with the Giants and has 38 catches for 333 yards and one touchdown.

Free agent tight end Bear Pascoe is visiting the Falcons on Thursday, reports FOX Sports.

Pascoe has spent all five seasons of his career with the Giants and has 38 catches for 333 yards and one touchdown.

Eagles tight end Zach Ertz had some big games down the stretch of his rookie season, catching two touchdown passes against the Cardinals and making six grabs for 57 yards and a score at Minnesota. Ertz is preparing for a bigger 2014 role. 

“I want to be more of a complete tight end," he told the team's website. "I don’t want there to be a situation where I have to come off the field because it’s a running play or a passing play and the coaches feel they have to get me off the field. That’s what I’m working for this year.”

Ertz finished with 36 catches for 469 yards and four touchdowns while sharing time with Brent Celek and James Casey. The website said the Eagles plan to move Ertz around the formation "quite a bit" and use his ability "to get down the field."

Tight end Gavin Escobar will be the most improved player on the Cowboys, according to ESPN.com's Todd Archer. Escobar might not improve his blocking much, but should play a lot more in 2014.

"I think the Cowboys will use him and play to his strengths more," Archer said. "He’ll attack the seams and be a red-zone threat on occasion."

The 6-6, 249-pounder caught nine passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. Jason Witten will continue to dominate targets among Cowboys tight ends.

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen said Wednesday that he's been cleared to "participate in everything" according to the official team website. He was able to run around and catch passes. Allen hurt his hip in Week 1 of last year and missed the remainder of the season. 

Saints coach Sean Payton said tight end Jimmy Graham is not participating in the team's offseason workouts due to ongoing contract talks, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Payton said "it's pretty normal" for a player in Graham's situation to sit out.

The team put the franchise tag on Graham, but there's optimism the sides will strike a longterm deal before training camp.