Soden: NFL Notebook

Dan Soden

Pay the Graham.

By now many of us have heard about how tight-end Jimmy Graham feels he should be paid like a wide receiver would since being given the franchise-tag by the Saints.

It’s been over a week since an arbitrator listens to both sides on the matter and sources with knowledge on the situation have said they expect a ruling sometime next week.

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Of course that won’t be the end of all of this because per the labor deal the losing party can appeal the outcome to a three-person panel. Which means this might not be over and done with prior to the July 15th deadline for working out long-term deals.

When all is said and done if Graham does win and the dust isn't settled by July 15th there is a great chance that come the following season Graham is catching passes elsewhere.

Mike Pouncey’s Hips Don’t Lie

Things aren’t going so well for Miami, the Dolphins are looking at missing their star offensive lineman center Mike Pouncey for what many reports are suggesting a minimum of three months following hip surgery on Monday.

With the three-month recovery time Pouncey’s availability for the start of the season leaves many with doubts as the Dolphins open the regular season up against division rival the New England Patriots on Sunday, September 7.

Another issue is Pouncey could find himself on the PUP list, which would then mean he would be out for the first six games of the season if he were to remain on PUP to start the season.

Given all the issues with the offensive line just a season ago, Pouncey’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the team who are looking to bounce back from the scandal and horrible play of last year.

Cowboys DWI

Cowboys guard Ronald Leary got busted for a DWI three months before the now infamous Josh Brent DWI incident that killed teammate Jerry Brown in December 2012, but Leary’s case still hasn’t been resolved.

It does look like the end is in sight for Leary, a trial date has been set for July 14th. Leary was charged with a Class B misdemeanor as a result of his arrest in Irving, Texas on September 7, 2012.

For now Leary isn’t expected to be suspended by the league, but could still be looking at a fine for the incident.

Bob Mischak Passed Away

Former New York Titans player Bob Mischak passed away at the age of 81 on Thursday.

Mischak played both the guard and tight end position during his NFL career which saw him make the Pro Bowl in 1961 and 1962 with the Titans. He also played with the Giants in 1958 and the Raiders in 1963-65. He would later go on to help coach tight ends with the Raiders for 16 seasons (1973-87, 1994)

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Joey Football has some advice for Johnny Football

Unlike seemingly everyone else Joe Montana seems to understand where Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel is coming from. Montana says he has been where Manziel is before, and isn’t bothered by his love of having a good time.

Montana was once a young quarterback who enjoyed a good time just like Manziel has been know too, only difference is Montana had a coach/mentor who was able to keep him on track with Bill Walsh.

“I think the biggest thing is, ‘Hey you’ve made it to where you want to be. Everybody wants to have fun up there. But unfortunately, you’re in a fish bowl even more so than he was in college,’” Montana said, via ESPNCleveland.com. “I always go back to an old saying Bill Walsh told me after we won our first Super Bowl. I was going everywhere, trying to do everything. He called me in and said, ‘I just want to tell you one thing. I understand what you’re doing. We may never get back to another Super Bowl. But just remember this, the less people see you, the more they want to see you.’ So basically he was saying it’s okay to do some things, but try to cut it back, but don’t forget about football because that got you where you are and that’s what’s going to keep you there. You got to make sure you spend the time on football as much as getting out and about.”

Johnny Football might want to listen it’s better to learn from the mistake of others then to repeat history

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Patriots sign first-rounder Dominique Easley

With just around a month left before training camp starts there are only a handful of unsigned picks left, and now there is even one less. The Patriots announced earlier in the week that they had signed first-round pick Dominique Easley.

Easley, the 29th overall pick, has signed a four-year deal like the rest of them.

When healthy Easley was productive at Florida and showed great ability to create pressure from the inside, which should make him a good fit for a versatile Patriots front.

Loose Ends

The Super-Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks sold out their training camp in 45 minutes. Each tickets was price at $7 a pop, which was labeled a transportation fee as parking is offsite.

Joey Porter is on the record saying that he is approaching his job as a Steelers assistant the same way he approached the game as a player. Hopefully he has equal success at it.

For those interested Cardinals’ WR Larry Fitzgerald and Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch will be in the buff for ESPN the Magazine’s Body issue.

New England Patriots CB Darrelle Revis says he misses Tampa… well the weather.

Last year Zak Gilbert was abruptly fired from the Raiders, this year he resigns from the Browns…

Jerry Rice JR signs with the Washington Redskins and their already jam back crew of wide receivers. It must be tough trying to live up to your Hall of Fame father’s name.

Giants’ fans should plead with Mike Carey to come back, but until that multi-million dollar Kickstarter lure Carey back to the wide world of reffing, Brad Allen will be his replacement.

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