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A position-focused contract negotiation and a new NFL rule making his favorite post-touchdown celebration a penalty ignited much discussion about the two-time Pro Bowler.

The 27-week long offseason hoopla over Graham’s contract situation ended Tuesday morning, the final day to reach a long-term contract before the season, when the All-Pro and Saints agreed to terms on a multi-year deal.

“I’m beyond excited,” Graham said Tuesday night. “I didn’t get into to football to learn litigation. I got into football to win games with my teammates, friends and coaches. I am extremely happy to get back to what it’s really about.”

It’s well-documented how the wide receiver-tight end debate played out. Even though it didn’t fall in favor of Graham’s side, it’s impossible for the 27-year old not to feel blessed with where he is at in his career after the journey he has taken to get here.

Graham was just a third-round draft pick in 2010 after having only 13 collegiate football games under his belt which left many draft analysts questioning whether he was tough enough to play at the pro level.

As a child in North Carolina, he grew up under a number of different roofs, dropped off at social services and signed away to a group home at 11 years old.

Although his path was turned in the right direction after a family he met in his bible study group took him in, he hasn’t forgotten the roller coaster of a childhood he endured.

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Mr.Riaton

Well Jimmy,if you wanna help then you know what you gotta do....get focused and kick some a$$! Show the critics and opposing teams your physical side!

SmashMouth

Does that mean he is now dedicated to learn how to block and not disappear in big games against top competition?

Marlboro Man

This year, when I see somebody try to hit JG coming off the line, I want to see them on their arse on the ground. Take em completely out of the play.

AsylumGuido

Read the story and find out yourself.

halloween 65

I've always noticed, actions speak louder than words.

Danno

Well so much for all that nonsense about him being bitter at the Saints.

SaintFanInATLHELL

This seems to be the JG mantra. I believe that some stats have been posted showing that Graham is an adequate blocker for both the run and the pass game. The main complaint seems to be against the scheme. Payton puts JG on the field to get out into the pattern. So why not ask the OC why does he not keep his best weapon in to block?

Any NFL defense can be configured to take a player out of the game. Smart DCs in the NFL (who would be coaching top competition) will scheme exactly to do that. So my question is since it always opens up another area in the defense to accomplish that, why did the offense not exploit it?

My final item is that a lot of the Saints offense's sluggishness starts right at the OLine. Brees spent quite a bit of time running for his life last year. I think those holes have been plugged with Armstead and Lelito/Goodwin. So this year if defenses load up to stop JG, then the other 10 guys will make them pay.

SFIAH

Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO

Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.

Beastmode

Saying his blocking needs work to me is like saying Deion Sanders was a horrible tackler. I'm willing to bet any coach would rather have a TE that hauls in 16TD's as opposed to being a good overall TE.

Look at the Falcons, they tried last season to find and mold a big TE. It didn't work out! Same for many teams. Jimmy is an amazing player. He has faults but his pros far far outweigh them when he's healthy.

Jack Vegas

I'm not worried about his blocking. We're not keeping him inline for pass pro very often, because he's our best receiver. If we're in heavy run mode, we go with Watson or a 3rd tackle anyway. And if we're mixing it up, you can put Watson on the line and split JG wide, that's a strategy that worked well late in the season when Ingram/Robinson were having success running the ball.

My only concern with Jimmy is he's got to learn to avoid those big hits. I love watching him run over people, but he takes too many hits to the knees and thighs.