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. Austin Pruitt Rays Jersey . 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. Jose Alvarado Rays Jersey . With one week left in the regular season, Cornish - voted The Toughest Player To Bring Down - is a leading candidate for the CFLs Most Outstanding Player award. He has rushed for 1,799 yards and could break Willie Burdens club record for rushing yards in a single season with a 98-yard performance against the B. Jesus Aguilar Jersey . The Bruins forward has been fined $5,000 by the National Hockey League for spearing Red Wings defenceman Danny DeKeyser in the groin. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- In packed stadiums, Tom Brady had one of his worst statistical seasons. Behind the scenes, hes working hard to have a better one. And, more importantly, carry the New England Patriots further -- to the Super Bowl -- than they went last season. Brady has heard coach Bill Belichick stress throughout their 14 full seasons together "that whatever matters to you as an individual, its far distant from what the team goals are," the quarterback said Monday. Achieving those goals is a year-round pursuit with intense off-season preparation setting the stage for the regular season. "What youre trying to establish this time of year is what kind of team youre going to be," Brady said during the Patriots third week of organized team activities. "Whos willing to put it all on the line when theres really no glory in this. Theres no glory in an OTA practice. Theres no glory in the weight room or out there on the conditioning field, but itll show up at some point. "Its a long season, so, at some point, the mental toughness, the discipline of the team always shows up and those are the things that were trying to work on." Last season, Brady was 17th in the NFL in passer rating, 21st in completion percentage, 22nd in average gain per pass attempt and 11th in touchdown passes. Of course, Wes Welker left before the season for the Denver Broncos, Aaron Hernandez was charged with first-degree murder last summer and Rob Gronkowski was limited by injury to seven games. The Patriots leading returning receiver was Julian Edelman, and he had just 21 catches in 2012. He followed that with 105 receptions in a breakout season, but the rest of the receiving group suffered from injuries and inexperience. The only significant addition to the group is Brandon LaFell, who had a career-high 49 catches in his fourth NFL seaason last year with Carolina. Anthony Banda Rays Jersey. . "Theres always ways to find improvement," Brady said after posing for photos with winners of the 2014 Myra Kraft Community MVP awards in honour of team owner Robert Krafts late wife. "Youre always working with lots of other guys. So its not necessarily just my improvement, but how my improvement relates to the rest of the team. And we all change from year to year." Receivers Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins are entering their second season with the Patriots. Brady is starting his 15th and wants to play as long as possible. "The thing that Ive learned over the years is youve got to pay the price in advance," he said. "You just cant run out on the field and expect things to be better without putting the time in and extra effort. I try to be really consistent and dependable for our guys, and I think thats what the quarterback position needs to be." The Patriots won their fifth straight AFC East title last season and 10th in the past 11. But Brady was outplayed by Peyton Manning in the AFC championship game. Denver won 26-16 as the Patriots made it nine straight seasons without a Super Bowl title. The off-season intensity increases next week with a three-day minicamp followed by training camp next month. For Brady, theres no time to waste. "I dont think theres any time that we come out of a meeting thinking, Man, were great. Weve got everything figured out. Its really a time of year where youre going to make a lot of mistakes," he said. "Youre going to give great effort and youre going to fail and then youve got to gain trust in each other and become more consistent." Then, after speaking with reporters for nearly 10 minutes, Brady was eager to return to work. "Back to practice," he said with a big smile. ' ' '