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NEW ORLEANS -- The Saints Jimmy Graham and the NFL Players Association were dealt a setback Wednesday when an arbitrator ruled that he can only be considered a tight end for the purposes of his franchise tag designation. NFLPA had filed a grievance arguing that Graham was used as a wide receiver often enough to qualify for the more lucrative receiver tag. But arbitrator Stephen Burbank disagreed and now the NFLPA is reviewing his ruling, and will advise Graham on his options, which could include an appeal. Grahams case is being closely watched around the league because it could set a precedent for negotiations involving players who fill diverse roles in their teams offensive or defensive schemes. For example, some outside linebackers in a 3-4 defensive scheme could argue their right to receive the higher defensive end tag. NFL franchise tags, which allow each team to keep one prized player who is due to become a free agent, were set this year at $7 million for tight ends and $12.3 million for receivers. Burbank, who is also a University of Pennsylvania law professor, found that Graham could fulfil the standard duties of a tight end when he was lined up in the slot or within 4 yards of an offensive tackle, as he was for most of his snaps. Burbank further pointed out that defences usually accounted for Graham as a tight end, regardless of his alignment, by assigning a linebacker or safety to cover him. "Like tight ends, wide receivers and running backs often line up in the slot," Burbanks ruling stated. "The defence employed against any player so aligned turns on the players position, not his alignment, because of the physical attributes and skill sets of the players in those positions." Burbank indicated there could be merit to the NFLPA contention that Graham cannot be considered a tight end when he does in fact line up as a wideout. However, because both sides stipulated that Graham lined up within 4 yards of an offensive tackle for nearly 55 per cent of his snaps, Burbank said he did not need to address the minority of instances in which offensive formations employed by Saints coach Sean Payton placed Graham at a wider distance from the offensive line. The NFLs collective bargaining agreement states that franchise tags should be applied according to the position at which a player lines up for the majority of his snaps. Graham has skipped Saints off-season practices while holding out for a new, long-term contract. A favourable ruling from Burbank would have further enhanced negotiating leverage for Graham, who last season led the Saints with 86 catches for 1,215 yards and 16 touchdowns. Saints spokesman Greg Bensel said the club would have no comment on the ruling, and Sexton did not respond to a request for comment. In its statement, the NFLPA said: "We will also continue to assist Graham and his representation as necessary to help the player reach a fair long-term deal with the New Orleans Saints." Such disputes are not frequent, but draw lots of attention because of their potential to set a precedent. Baltimores Terrell Suggs, the 2011 Defensive Player of the Year, argued in 2008 that he should be tagged as an end, not a linebacker. The difference back then was about $800,000. That dispute ended when Suggs signed a new long-term contract with the Ravens. He later helped them win the 2012 NFL championship. July 15 is the final day a team can sign 2014 franchise players to long-term extensions. Otherwise, they must play under their franchise tag designation for one season, after which they would be set to become free agents. Cheap Air Max Plus . 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Sweezy was the one part of the Seattle Seahawks offensive line that had avoided injuries or having to change positions this season.WINNIPEG -- It looks like a couple of starting quarterbacks are out for the season in the CFL West but it really wont matter much to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as they look to climb out of last place in the division, coach Mike OShea said Tuesday. Saskatchewan Roughriders Darian Durant tore a tendon in his elbow in Sundays win in Winnipeg and, in his first game back in 2014, B.C.s Travis Lulay injured the same shoulder that had kept him from playing until now, as it healed from off-season surgery. But that still doesnt mean the Bombers (6-5) will have an easier time of it, said OShea. "Theres no point in looking at it that way for us," said OShea. "Travis Lulay played one game, right, so Kevin Glenns got them to where they are right now (6-4). In reality, Kevin Glenns been the starter. "And we dont play Saskatchewan again until the playoffs. So theres nothing we can really do about that." Of course, Winnipeg has to make the playoffs, and with five of their seven remaining games against western teams, that isnt going to be easy. They start with the B.C. Lions on Saturday. The Lions (6-4) are the only western team the Bombers have managed to beat this season, their first back in the West in about a decade. As for Saskatchewan, theyve taken the Bombers down three times in 2014, although Sundays 30-24 win was just as painful for the winners as it was for the losers with Durant injured and expected to undergo surgery in the next few days. "Realistically, his regular season is probably done," said Roughriders general manager Brendan Taman. "Whether or not we can get him back for the playoffs, well see. Its not the greatest of outlooks." The outlook is just as grim for Lulay. "Travis has suffered a shoulder dislocation very similar to the one he had last season," Dr. Bob McCormack said in a statemeent after Lulay was injured in Fridays 7-5 win over the Ottawa Redblacks.dddddddddddd "Due to the nature of the injury, the surgery which was performed on Travis shoulder last winter has essentially been undone." Despite OSheas comments, if Winnipeg quarterback Drew Willy can stay healthy the Bombers chances of making the playoffs would seem to have increased with both Lulay and Durant gone. The Bombers do have their own injury issues, but none as critical. One of the most troublesome right now may be the absence of long-snapper and linebacker Ian Wild. Bad snaps didnt help Sunday as the Bombers fell 30-24 to the Roughriders, after surrendering an early lead. OShea said there is a chance Wild may be ready to return to meet B.C., but the Bombers dont want to risk his health by sending him in too soon. They were missing receiver Nick Moore last Sunday with a sprained ankle but the Bombers are deep at receiver this season and have veteran Romby Bryant in reserve. He picked up 60 yards Sunday in a losing effort in which OShea noted the Bomber offence actually had a pretty good game. Meanwhile, offensive linemen Pat Neufeld and Mathias Goossen are also injured and OShea said Neufeld is possibly out for another week still, although Goossen may be able to return to practice. The Bombers will practise for the first time Wednesday since Sundays loss. Penalties (13 of them) were also costly for the Bombers Sunday and OShea said hes discussed the issue with the team. "What are we averaging, were averaging nine a game, and we had 13, so theres four more. The unfortunate part is those four are probably URs (unnecessary roughness) which adds up to a lot of yards. Weve just got to do a better job." He said he is still seeking clarification about a couple of those 13 penalties because hes unclear on exactly what was called. ' ' '