jeanpierre

In case you missed this, apparently we upset the Dark Lord...

Report: Patriots Tried To Sign C.J. Spiller | SportsGrid

Bill Simmons doesn't disappoint...

jeanpierre

Free Agency: Five Biggest Losses
Kevin Connaghan | March 27, 2015

[Excerpt]

Jimmy Graham, TE (New Orleans Saints)

There is method behind the madness in New Orleans. Unsettled, unwanted or expensive players have been shipped out, and in their place the team has gathered extra draft collateral. If used wisely, that should result in an influx of young, and very affordable talent. It’s conceivable that the Saints could enter the 2015 season at least as talented as they were at every position in 2014, well every position bar one, tight end.

Jimmy Graham is an elite receiving tight end, and the Saints hit a home run when they drafted him in the third round in 2010. With few attractive options left in free agency, and a seemingly weak draft for tight ends, the team must either manage to catch lightning in a bottle once again, or find a way to compensate for the loss through increased production from other facets of the offense.

Graham flashed talent toward the end of his rookie season, then starred over the four seasons since, leading all tight ends as a receiver in 2013 with a +18.2 grade. In those four years Graham has more catches (371), receiving yards (4606) and receiving touchdowns (49) than any other Saint, catching 28.8% of all touchdowns thrown by Drew Brees in that span. That’s is a significant amount of production to lose.

Source: https://www.profootballfocus.com/blo...iggest-losses/

You see, I look at the TD% and see it as an opportunity for this offense to become unpredictable, again...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

lee909

STRENGTHS
Becoming a very reliable blocker. Is tough enough and physical enough to be a play-side blocking tight end on zone runs. Bends and explodes from hips into his targets and sustains with a good base. Will drive smaller linebackers off the line of scrimmage in run game. Has lined up in-line, slot and as an H-back. Has the physical build and enough quickness to threaten the seam. Turns head and locates the ball quickly. Can make contested catches. Has NFL run-after-catch ability. At home in a physical matchup. Has long arms and big hands.

STRENGTHS
Becoming a very reliable blocker. Is tough enough and physical enough to be a play-side blocking tight end on zone runs. Bends and explodes from hips into his targets and sustains with a good base. Will drive smaller linebackers off the line of scrimmage in run game. Has lined up in-line, slot and as an H-back. Has the physical build and enough quickness to threaten the seam. Turns head and locates the ball quickly. Can make contested catches. Has NFL run-after-catch ability. At home in a physical matchup. Has long arms and big hands.

"Two receivers to the left, Garcon to the right. Manning in the shotgun, puts Collie in motion. Looks in his direction...it's picked off! It's picked off! It's Tracy Porter again! He's runnin' free! He's gonna go all the way!

ChrisXVI

Why was Jimmy Graham successful?? Sean Payton and Drew Brees that's why. The guy was nobody entering the league. It's not like we were gifted some transcendent talent who blessed us with his abilities. I for one say thank god our offense won't revolve around our TE anymore. I was fed up with seeing jump balls heaved into triple coverage.

|Mitch|

Are you implying Graham won't be successful in Seattle with Carroll and Wilson?

I'm guessing he will be even more successful with Lynch/Wilson being a significant running threat.

jeanpierre

Clive Walford is a Jimmy Kleinsasser H-Back type...

I'd rather wait and take a big guy like Blake Bell who's got a higher ceiling...

Or Brian Parker out of the University of Albany...

They've got the size that Clive doesn't; and it seems Clive is like Jimmy - he just wants to catch balls...

ChrisXVI

@ Mitch... Nah I'm not saying he won't be successful in Seattle. Payton and Brees gave him the knowledge and tools to be successful and they'll do that again with whomever is on the field next season. Jimmy Graham didn't make the Saints better... The Saints made Jimmy Graham better.

|Mitch|

I disagree somewhat; there is no way possible anyone can "honestly" say that Jimmy Graham did not make the Saints better.

And it's not like the Saints taught him everything he needed to be successful. He had the "tools" from his prior basketball career, he would have been successful with any QB who could have got him the ball...

Doesn't matter though, I'll take the extra first round pick over any player any day...

ChrisXVI

That's true Mitch... There's no way to know. Extra first round pick though I'll take it!

jeanpierre

Well anyone can buy a tool belt with a hammer, some screw drivers and a measuring tape...

...but that doesn't make him a carpenter...

Saints gambled on him in the third (he was projected a fifth rounder at best because of only one year playing)...

And he came on in the second half of his rookie year...

Think the Saints had alot to do with it...

And the real tell is gonna be what happens in Seattle...