New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham is on the rise

Attached Thumbnails · 11-19-2010, 11:58 PM

New Orleans Saints rookie tight end Jimmy Graham should again play a prominent role Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks as the backup behind veteran David Thomas.

Graham stepped up with the best game of his young career after starter Jeremy Shockey went down with bruised ribs two weeks ago at Carolina, catching three passes for 49 yards, including his first career touchdown. And two weeks before that, he caught a career-high four passes for 38 yards at Tampa Bay.

But don't expect to see Graham basking in the spotlight anytime soon. His veteran teammates in the tight end corps have kept him humble this year by discouraging him from doing any media interviews during the week. If he does, it might cost him a penalty such as a dinner tab. Graham is allowed to talk after the game if he plays well enough, though, which was the case at Carolina.

Graham was a breakout star in the offseason, when he turned heads during training camp practices and preseason games for his rare combination of size (6-feet-6, 260 pounds), speed and athleticism. He's still a raw talent, having played just one year of college football at Miami (Fla.) after playing four years of basketball for the Hurricanes. But clearly, he's coming along.
"First off, getting into the lineup at his position with some of the guys ahead of him is challenging. And yet we've tried to expand his role each week," Payton said of Graham's development. "Certainly his strong suit is the ability to run and play the football above his head. And you look at improving his blocking technique and some of those aspects that are different for him with the experience he's had.

"And he just keeps getting better and (learning) all the nuances that go into that position that is more than just one-dimensional in what you ask the tight end to do."

|Mitch| · 11-20-2010, 12:14 AM

The second career touchdown pass is coming up this week. Reggie Bush being in the game is going to have him open a bunch...

QBREES9 · 11-20-2010, 12:23 AM

Lets hope so. The kids looks good. Shockey not playing ???

|Mitch| · 11-20-2010, 12:24 AM

Ribs are keeping him out

QBREES9 · 11-20-2010, 12:26 AM

thats to bad. But it give a chance to see Jimmy.

UK_WhoDat · 11-20-2010, 02:17 PM

A big guy that looks to be the longer term prospect for this Saints team.

Danno · 11-20-2010, 03:11 PM

Tomorrow...5 catches, 2TD's, and near 100 yards versus the Seahawks.

A star in the making.

st thomas · 11-20-2010, 04:18 PM

what a nice project to have uh. whenever shockey ready to hang up the cleats it will be an easy transition.

MatthewT · 11-20-2010, 08:10 PM

Yes indeed, this guy appears to be the real deal. Graham is in an excellent place to have a nice career. The Saints coaching staff appears to be doing a nice job with this guy. Of course we all want Shockey to have a speedy recovery, but not a horrible situation with him being injured considering the depth at TE this year.

CheramieIII · 11-21-2010, 09:42 AM

Kid will replace Shockey next season. Although Shockey is a fan favorite and a beast, you can only be as much of a beast as the body will allow.

11-19-2010, 11:58 PM	#1
Threaded by QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,985 Rating: (0 votes - average) New Orleans Saints rookie tight end Jimmy Graham should again play a prominent role Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks as the backup behind veteran David Thomas. Graham stepped up with the best game of his young career after starter Jeremy Shockey went down with bruised ribs two weeks ago at Carolina, catching three passes for 49 yards, including his first career touchdown. And two weeks before that, he caught a career-high four passes for 38 yards at Tampa Bay. But don't expect to see Graham basking in the spotlight anytime soon. His veteran teammates in the tight end corps have kept him humble this year by discouraging him from doing any media interviews during the week. If he does, it might cost him a penalty such as a dinner tab. Graham is allowed to talk after the game if he plays well enough, though, which was the case at Carolina. Graham was a breakout star in the offseason, when he turned heads during training camp practices and preseason games for his rare combination of size (6-feet-6, 260 pounds), speed and athleticism. He's still a raw talent, having played just one year of college football at Miami (Fla.) after playing four years of basketball for the Hurricanes. But clearly, he's coming along. "First off, getting into the lineup at his position with some of the guys ahead of him is challenging. And yet we've tried to expand his role each week," Payton said of Graham's development. "Certainly his strong suit is the ability to run and play the football above his head. And you look at improving his blocking technique and some of those aspects that are different for him with the experience he's had. "And he just keeps getting better and (learning) all the nuances that go into that position that is more than just one-dimensional in what you ask the tight end to do." Attached Thumbnails
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11-20-2010, 12:14 AM	#2
\|Mitch\| 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, La Posts: 11,303	The second career touchdown pass is coming up this week. Reggie Bush being in the game is going to have him open a bunch...

11-20-2010, 12:23 AM	#3
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,985	Lets hope so. The kids looks good. Shockey not playing ???

11-20-2010, 12:24 AM	#4
\|Mitch\| 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, La Posts: 11,303	Ribs are keeping him out

11-20-2010, 12:26 AM	#5
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,985	thats to bad. But it give a chance to see Jimmy.

11-20-2010, 02:17 PM	#6
UK_WhoDat 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Wherever I lay my hat Posts: 3,947	A big guy that looks to be the longer term prospect for this Saints team.

11-20-2010, 03:11 PM	#7
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,720	Tomorrow...5 catches, 2TD's, and near 100 yards versus the Seahawks. A star in the making.

11-20-2010, 04:18 PM	#8
st thomas Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: lafayette Posts: 7,753	what a nice project to have uh. whenever shockey ready to hang up the cleats it will be an easy transition.

11-20-2010, 08:10 PM	#9
MatthewT 1000 Posts + Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,729	Yes indeed, this guy appears to be the real deal. Graham is in an excellent place to have a nice career. The Saints coaching staff appears to be doing a nice job with this guy. Of course we all want Shockey to have a speedy recovery, but not a horrible situation with him being injured considering the depth at TE this year.

11-21-2010, 09:42 AM	#10
CheramieIII Fan Since 1967 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Nomad Posts: 7,487 Blog Entries: 3	Kid will replace Shockey next season. Although Shockey is a fan favorite and a beast, you can only be as much of a beast as the body will allow.