NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans Saints have placed their franchise tag on Jimmy Graham in order to protect the clubs rights to its star tight end through next season. Minnesota Timberwolves Pro Shop . The move means Graham, barring a holdout, will almost certainly play for New Orleans next season for no less than the tight end franchise tag of $7.04 million. It is also possible, under the NFLs collective bargaining agreement, that Graham could be tagged as a receiver because of how often he lined up split wide from the line. That would carry a tag of $12.3 million. However, since the Saints only placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Graham, according to a report from ESPN, teams can still try to sign the star but the Saints would be able to match any offer or be compensated with two first-round draft picks from the signing team. Once Grahams tag has been determined, the two sides could continue to argue that matter before an arbitrator. That appears to be the likely process as both side aim to determine precisely how much negotiating leverage they have before hammering out a long-term deal. Similarly, the Saints use their franchise tag on quarterback Drew Brees in March 2012, then needed a little more than four months to work out the five-year, $100 million deal Brees signed shortly before training camp. Like Brees, Graham is represented by Creative Artists Agency. They do not have the same agent. Graham is represented by Jimmy Sexton and Brees by Tom Condon. The move, confirmed by team spokesman Greg Bensel, was expected as part of what is widely anticipated to be a protracted negotiation between the team and one of the best young tight ends in the NFL Graham has said publicly during the Pro Bowl in February that it would be "unfortunate," if the team used the franchise tag on him, but on Friday he reacted to the move with subtle humour. Afterward, Graham wrote on his Twitter account, "Confirming its officially Franchisefriday... TAG ... I guess Im it." Graham, a former college basketball who played one year of football at Miami, was drafted by the Saints in 2010. Last season, he led the Saints in catches with 86, yards with 1,215 and touchdowns with 16. He has led the Saints in catches in each of the past three seasons, while leading the club in yards receiving and touchdowns in two of the last three seasons. During the past three regular seasons combined, he has 270 catches for 3,507 yards and 36 touchdowns. Wally Szczerbiak Jersey . The Packers, Lions and Bears were a combined 35-15 and as long as Jay Cutler can say healthy, all three could make the playoffs in 2012. Tony Campbell Jersey .  Go to turbozone.ca to see more of his epic work and you can follow him on twitter (@Turbo_Zone). Gaurav Shastri - A tribute to the amazing fan base who stand outside during games at "Jurassic Park" and an unbelievable shot of Paul Pierce fearing a Raptor.Speaking on the Inside the Huddle podcast, Jeff Reinebold and Neil Reynolds talked through the positions of the coaches, analysing whether their seat was safe, warm, or hot. Heres where they came down.. There is nobody in this game, with the possibility of Bill Belichick up in New England, that has any sort of long-term security, Jeff said.Its not what you signed up for when you get into coaching. You want security - call fort Knox! With the play-off race heating up, Neil and Jeff assess the head coaches under pressure to deliver. Inside the Huddle 16/11 Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss the week 10 action, as well as making picks for week 11. Head coach Chip Kelly joined the 49ers after three years in Philadelphia Chip Kelly - San Francisco 49ersIts so early on, and management know they have a depleted roster. I think there were low expectations in this first year, and some changes to come, but I dont think it will be him. - JeffTheyre still paying Jim Tomsula, they dont want to be paying Chip Kelly and a new coach as well. - NeilVerdict: Safe Jaguars coach Gus Bradley has struggled to turn the franchise around in his three seasons as head coach Gus Bradley - Jacksonville JaguarsEn fuego. For those of us who speak Spanish, that means on fire! - JeffVerdict: Hot Jeff Fisher gave up six draft picks to get quarterback Jared Goff, but has yet to play him Jeff Fisher - Los Angeles RamsThere were rumours in weeks two and three that Fisher had signed a contract extension, and the Rams are waiting for the right time to announce it. Surely they would have announced it by now?Weve talked about the handling of Jared Goff, but theres something thats not right with this team at the moment - NeilThis one will be interesting to see how it plays out. Offensively theyre not very good, and when everyone anticipated them to be a team that could run the ball well, that hasnt materialised at all. - JeffVerdict: Warm/Hot The Green Bay Packers have struggled this season, leaving Mike McCarthy under pressuree Mike McCarthy - Green Bay PackersWhen youve got talent on your roster, and youre going through a three-game losing slump, the worst thing is they dont look fired up. Kelan Martin Jersey. . - NeilWhen your quarterback comes out and says we lacked juice, which means youre not emotionally ready to play, combine with how they started against Tennessee, those are both indications that youve got a football team not ready to play. - JeffVerdict: Warm Marvin Lewis is the second-longest serving head coach currently in the NFL, behind Bill Belichick Marvin Lewis - Cincinnati BengalsThe Bengals arent playing at a level they need to play. Against the Giants the offence was based on trick plays, and once that wore off, the Giants had their way with them. They have got some really good players on defence but with discipline issues that continue to haunt them, all of these go back to the head coach. - JeffVerdict: Warm, but could get hot Hue Jackson and the Cleveland Browns have started again and must be patient to see rewards Hue Jackson - Cleveland BrownsI think hes safe right now. They understand they have a depleted roster, and theyre trying to put together a core group of players and change the culture. Its a long haul fix. - JeffOver the coming years, we will put the whole Browns management group on notice - a new approach in Cleveland, building from the start. But I cant trust the management until theres a new alternative at quarterback. - NeilVerdict: Safe... for now Jeff Reinebold believes Jets head coach Todd Bowles is dealing with the pressure of the New York media Todd Bowles - New York JetsThat seat can get hot real fast with the way the New York media work. This is a difficult one because they came to within a game of the play-offs, followed by an acrimonious contract negotiation with your quarterback who now isnt playing well. That can lead to cracks in the organisation.I think Bowles is doing a great job living in the fish bowl that is New York City and the constant criticism you get in the media there. - JeffVerdict: WarmYou can follow the results of all the coaches and their teams on NFL Redzone, live on Sky Sports Mix from 6pm every Sunday. Also See: NFL week ten highlights Be a part of our Thanksgiving audience! WATCH: NFL funnies and fails NFL Week 10 Pick Six ' ' '