Jimmy Graham- Is he doing anything? (1 Viewer)

[Saint Greg]

He's on pace for 70 catches and 785yards. Solid tight end numbers. Both would've been good for 5th among tight ends last season.

 

[livefromDC]

I think he would struggle here. His last year was pretty tough when he was dealing with injuries. He's older now and is past those prime years. Our offense is quite different now from how it was in Graham's years, now that we have a true #1 receiver and a stronger run game.

Those are things that would have benefited him in our system not hinder.

 

[football]

So true. Green Bay never uses the TE and they don't run the ball either. It's the strangest thing. You'd think with Rodgers throwing the ball around that it would open up the field and help the run game. It doesn't. You'd think that TEs would thrive in an offense that throws the ball so much but it just hasn't happened. Jermichael Finley had a few decent years but that's it.

So that was why this signing seemed odd to me. You lose Jordy Nelson so you bring in a big money TE? Doesn't make a lot of sense but I'm glad it happened. I'm sure Jimmy would've done ok with the Saints but the production probably wouldn't have been in line with the pay.

Maybe I am wrong but Aaron seems to have a hard time getting his receivers on the same page.

 

[FootballLady]

I think the only noticeable difference he'd make here is in the red zone. And I'm not even sure what our red zone % is so not sure we even need that much help.

We are currently 7th in the NFL in Red Zone TD scoring, sitting at 65.38% for the year (80% last week). Green Bay is currently 23rd in the league, so it doesn't appear Graham is having much of an effect there.

Oh, Number 1? Seattle.

 

[SDotJeezy]

GBs problem is personnel, their OL isn't great and their RBs are a gang of unknowns, so that allows defenses to:

1. Pressure Rodgers relentlessly
2. Not respect play action

Graham's production, or perceived lack thereof is a result of defenses not having to respect the run and allows them to pressure Rodgers to the point where he can't progress through his reads as he'd like to.

With all that said, Jimmy is still on pace to get somewhere in the 800-900 yd area for the season and that isn't all that bad for a TE.

 

[BreesusSaves]

So true. Green Bay never uses the TE and they don't run the ball either. It's the strangest thing. You'd think with Rodgers throwing the ball around that it would open up the field and help the run game. It doesn't. You'd think that TEs would thrive in an offense that throws the ball so much but it just hasn't happened. Jermichael Finley had a few decent years but that's it.

So that was why this signing seemed odd to me. You lose Jordy Nelson so you bring in a big money TE? Doesn't make a lot of sense but I'm glad it happened. I'm sure Jimmy would've done ok with the Saints but the production probably wouldn't have been in line with the pay.

I think Graham would have excelled here. Payton wanted him bad, he was the Saints #1 target in free agency. With Thomas and Kamara, Graham's no longer the focal point of the passing game. A lot of people complain about how Graham was shut down by top defense, but look at Graham's final couple of years in New Orleans. He was the only genuine receiving threat, and he started to get dinged up. Torn Labrum in 2014, foot injury in 2013. That coupled with Colston and Moore's decline... team's knew if they stopped Graham, then the Saints passing game died.

Now if you're an opposing defensive coordinator... your best cover linebacker is going to spend all game chasing after Kamara. Your #1 CB and a safety are devoted to Michael Thomas. Your #2CB and other safety have to play soft and deep because of Ginn and Smith. So who is put on Graham? A defensive end? A run stopping linebacker? A nickle corner? This also isn't factoring in the terrifying re-emergence of Meredith.

Graham is obviously not essential to the offense, but he sure would have made on hell of a cherry on top.

 

[B-Train]

If the saints hadn’t splurged on Kurt Coleman they could have brought him in. Guarantee he would have been putting up bigger numbers here.

 

[SDotJeezy]

If the saints hadn’t splurged on Kurt Coleman they could have brought him in. Guarantee he would have been putting up bigger numbers here.

Agreed, Kurt is looking like a waste of $ right now...I'm holding out hope that he turns whatever corner he needs to turn but for right now, yeah he's not all that great.

 

[Swimmer]

Graham is doing a lot. He's spending $10 million a year. That's hard work - lol

 

[lvsaintsfan]

We usually have one big ticket signing each year. This year, it was between Graham or Demario Davis. I think Demario has done more for this team than Graham could have provided. Therefore, I am happy we didn't Graham didn't sign here.

 

[Quid Pro Quo]

I think he would struggle here. His last year was pretty tough when he was dealing with injuries. He's older now and is past those prime years. Our offense is quite different now from how it was in Graham's years, now that we have a true #1 receiver and a stronger run game.

Like Ben Watson?

 

[Noble Saint]

Jimmy’s biggest asset was jump balls around the goal line. He really was soft for his size. I don’t miss the alligator arms he grew in his last year or two with us.

 

[TheMike62987]

Eventually, yes.

His best year in Seattle he had 34 more yards and 4 less touchdowns that he did in his worst year in New Orleans. (Not including 2010 where he wasn't the starter at TE)

He was an absolute bust in Seattle.

 

[Le_fleur_fan_78]

He tore it up in Seattle?

No, he said tear, from his ducts.?

 

[SDotJeezy]

Jimmy’s biggest asset was jump balls around the goal line. He really was soft for his size. I don’t miss the alligator arms he grew in his last year or two with us.

Everybody's favorite WR, Colston, started alligator arming balls towards the end as well. There's only so many hits over the middle a pass catcher can endure before they start alligator arming catches. Does it make him soft? no...human? yes. I remember a bunch of times he went down the seam and caught the ball, took the big hit, and held on to the ball...but yeah lets just throw all that out the window because he alligator armed a few towards the end.