AsylumGuido

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?

AsylumGuido

Read the story and find out yourself.

SmashMouth

I did .... and he does not address those concerns in the article, even if some fans don't care about those concerns. It's really about being better and getting better, kinda like Tony Gonzales did. Time will tell, of course.

AsylumGuido

Nor should he because I doubt Payton or himself see it as near as much of a liability as do some fans. Gonzo and Graham, while both have similar backgrounds in basketball, have far different body types. Graham may be able to add another 15 pounds of bulk in the lower body to give him better leverage in blocking, but it would most likely hamper his ability to do what makes him such a weapon. It is simply not worth it to try to change him. Graham is long and lean. He does not have the build to be a good run blocker. But, that should not and does not diminish his incredible value as a playmaker.

All I can say is be glad that we have this great talent on our team and it does no good to you or anyone to look for the negatives when the positives far, far outweigh.

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.

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.

halloween 65

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

hagan714

we have a winner.

shame there is no I in team.