Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

Music to my ears!

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Jimmy Graham wants to prove this season he's more than just an All-Pro tight end because of his pass-catching.

Graham wants to show his blocking is up to par.

It's a subject, which in recent seasons, has marked one of the few unfavorable critiques in his game.

"The last two years, everybody's been knocking on my block(ing). I don't know why," said Graham, whose Saints open the 2014 preseason Friday at St. Louis. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Read more here: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches | New Orleans Saints | The Sun Herald

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

contracts up for renewal. jimmy - " I am more of a WR"
contract is signed Jimmy - " I am a better all around TE than people say"

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

Bullcrap. Graham NEVER claimed to be more of a WR. The NFLPA and his agent did. Graham has ALWAYS claimed to be a TE. Drop that crap.

The simple fact that you put that in quotes shows you are full of it.

Get over it. You are getting old on this subject.

:rolleyes:

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

I guess so... He has finally been told he's a tight end!

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

I want Jimmy to be the best Jimmy.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

To be honest this is old business and Jimmy never openly said he was a WR. Of course I attribute his actions to the NFLPA who had ulterior motives.

He is not on record saying he's a WR.........but it's kind of like being a ventriloquist. I don't see your lips move but I know your dummy isn't really talking. :p

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

He can't get any worse at it. LOL.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

Can someone out there humor me? I cannot find any video that demonstratively shows Graham just flat sucking at blocking. If anyone can post a pointer to one, preferably from last season early before the foot injury, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,

SFIAH
'

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

It would be easier for them to present you with the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy at the same time.

:rolleyes:

Let me put it this way, I grew up in a family of bird hunters. For those of you not in the know, that means quail. And, of course, you hunt quail with bird dogs. You commonly have two to three or even more dogs on a hunt. A fairly common occurrence while bird hunting is to have your dogs get into a "Mexican standoff". Dogs are trained to support each other's point. When one dog hits birds it freezes. The other dogs see this and freeze, as well.

In a "Mexican standoff" the dogs blindly follow what they think is a point by one of the other dogs. That dog may have simply stopped for a couple of seconds checking out a scent or something. That dog then see that the other have frozen and in turn freezes itself. Now you have all of the dogs thinking the same thing, that the other has located birds. But, they are all wrong.

You see, my friends, like lemming to the edge of the cliff you are following blindly, trusting what others have said without real justification and seeing it as fact.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

I don't remember Graham saying anythi about his designation one way or another. If he didn't try and claim he was a wide receiver then he is an idiot. A person will exhaust all efforts to get as much money as they can. It would have been stupid for him not to try to get WR money as long as there was even a 1% chance.
It's just smart business.

I apply for any business grant I can, even if it takes work and is very unlikely to happen. If I'm vigilant sometimes it pays. I'm in business to make money just like these guys are and I don't blame Graham or his agent one bit.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

According to PFF stats, he ranks middle of the pack for TE's with enough snaps to qualify.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

So, if he truly sucked at blocking then half the TE's in the league REALLY suck at blocking, right? :rolleyes:

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

Well to be more accurate he was near the bottom of the middle third, but basically yes.
I should point out that I didn't read the pay per view stats, I only saw someone's recap. But it was a reputable poster.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

There is no doubt he could improve his blocking, but at what cost? His body type makes it difficult to get leverage. At 6'7" he is simply too tall in relation to his body weight as compared to many other TE's that are more accomplished blockers. But, it is that height and body style that make him the great receiver that he is. I would much rather see him as the average blocker that he truly is and remain the offensive weapon he truly is.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

All true AG, and I like that he wants to improve. As long as it doesn't hurt other parts of his game it's all good.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

He sprung a nice block in the initial drive against St Louis

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

There were times also when he was kinda standing there looking for a person to block as the runner got tackled right behind him. fire out of the stance and lay the lumber. oh thats right he is to tall fire out the block. at least stand in the way and push the guy on a consistent bases then you are doing better jimmy. I do not expect pancakes from jimmy at all. just some bread and butter and a bit of jam

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

First Cadet run. Defender was untouched. Jimmy moved to the left to avoid contact. I hope they show him that sequence in the film room.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

It is really sad that you have this hatred in you.

Standing there looking for a person to block means that there was no one there to block. Get over it. You are beginning to sound foolish with this Graham bashing.

:rolleyes:

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

Show US that clip. I call major bull****.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

Who recorded the game? Verify what he claims or prove him wrong.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

You have to want to block, i.e. get physical, and at the very least engage a defender to to accomplish anything. You don't have to maul him. You don't have to pancake him. Just put in the effort and engage him. If you're engaged with a defender, at the very least he's going to have to work around or through you. Even if a defender trucks you, he had to take the time and effort to do so. That gives the ball carrier atleast a shot to avoid him.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

In all fairness, Jimmy whiffed that block, the two Ingram runs previously Graham played a big part in him springing it free

However the cadet run, Jimmy did look like he didn't want to block their DE and he got round Jimmy incredibly easy

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

I just rewatched that play, Simms swam the f*ck out of Graham, but Graham over extended as well. It was a pretty bad play by JG but I would be pretty hard pressed to say he was playing matador on that one.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

So basically, the accusing poster was full of crap ... as usual when he repeatedly bashes Graham.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

Really no need to start insulting people about it, Graham made some good blocks to spring Ingram on his runs but the cadet one was a terrible play on Graham's part, Simms made it look like Graham wasn't even there

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

hate? no where did i ever say i hated the guy. this is all bout his contract and last statements thats all.

look jimmy size limits his ability to block thats all. he is not a complete TE nor will he ever be, it is physically impossible for him to be. he needs to become a bit more physical when setting a his basketball screen thats all.

i want to see him perform a text book block. sorry there too few players tall enough for him to do it to. too tall jones retired

jimmy size also limits his quickness out of a stance or getting out of the block. it is just the laws of physics.

Once again Jimmy is not a great blocker. he is ok and could use some work. I will repeat it again: a bit more physical when setting a his basketball screen thats all.

but that is not what we pay him for by any means.

damn i just deleted the game. the block i believe was towards the end of the first half. the DE or LB blew right between the TE and LT. he came through clean. blown assignment? just a good play the defender? does not really matter to tell you the truth. it was funny to see him standing there looking confused. I can point out a ton of players that look that way in this game and yes i shook my head and laughed at each one. so jimmy aint alone on this one.

remember the rams are a good team. so it will happen. plus by the end of the game i say the rams depth chart is way more athletic than ours is.

just some bread and butter and a bit of jam

his bread and butter we all know

bit of Jam is his blocking

I was trying to be lite heart-ed about the whole thing.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

I think the reason Jimmy's blocking is in question is because we throw a majority of the time when he's in, that and Gronk fan girls and trying to show us why they think he is better than Jimmy.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

So how does Graham get the blame when the LT let him go, too? It is the LT's primary job to block and you give him no grief? You pick out one play to bash Graham on.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

i was not bashing the guy. like i said who blew the assignment or just a great defensive play it did not matter really.

litto did the same thing when he or the guard missed a stunt.

the response when they just stand there dumb founded, looking all around with their hands out looking for a block. is funny in the preseason.

Jimmy is ok and at has his moments were he is good but never a great blocker. it is just a fact.

he really is just now to the point were he can start really worrying about more of the other stuff. 1 year of college ball then to the pros? he is just now got the receiving part mastered. that is freaking scary.

I am no way looking for Jimmy to be praised by the NFL for his blocking skills nor do i expect it.

trust me there were a ton of players on the field that night doing the same thing

pre season game 1 thats is funny stuff

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

Well allow me to state what i saw on that play.

Jimmy engages the DE to set an edge. Jimmy gets beat badly by a swim move. Jimmy then stands flat footed and watches cadet get tackled for a loss.

Its just one bad play which means nothing.

I dont understand why you are arguing with people if you didn't watch the play.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

It is the same three or four people that have dragged Graham through the mud over the past several months on this site. Reading their constant bashing of Graham has gotten quite old.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

I'm one of those bashers, no rose-colored glasses here.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

I'll bet if you asked those three or four people, our sticking up for Graham all the time has gotten quite old too.

There are other sites where everyone agrees. The posters all "toe the party line" so to speak. I hope B&G never becomes such a site. It's boring. I enjoy reading other people's perspectives as well as respectfully, debating different points of view.

It is important however, to remember we all deserve respect. Name calling or belittling has no place here.

(Sorry Asylum, I don't mean to come off as attacking you. This was a general statement with nobody in particular in mind)

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

Yes you are.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

He did that being injured over the last couple of years.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

People need to realize he made the team because of his receiving ability, not his blocking ability or overall TE skills. He doesn't need to be a great blocker, just hold his own. We have other TEs if we need good blocking. Don't let the NFL AND NFLPA fool you, we did get a receiver for the price of a tight end.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

Ok, first of all, Jimmy is not a great blocker. Were not asking him to pancake Cam Jordan, but how about stalemating Junior Galette? And being 6"6 does not mean you can't block. Many outstanding O-Lineman have been 6"5 or 6"6. Jimmy is an inexperienced football player. I think eventually he'll learn how to stiff arm, break tackles and run block more effectively.

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

What exactly is the difference? Both were among the best OLB/DE edge rushers in the NFL last year.
He's not a lineman. He's a tight end. For comparison:

Graham: 6'7" 265 lbs
Armstead: 6'5" 305 lbs

There are no 265 lbs offensive tackles in the NFL for a reason.

And honestly any comparison to Ditka from 40 years ago is lame (in reference to another post somewhere). The speed and size of defensive linemen from the two eras are so different, that no comparison really makes sense.

A tight end in today's NFL isn't an extra lineman. It's not like Harris (or in the past Streif) checking in as tackle eligible. A tight end that can help on a double team, can set an edge, and can chip while going out on a route can be effective on the end of the line.

SFIAH

Re: Saints' Graham looks to improve blocking as preseason opener approaches
 

Cam Outweighs Junior by at least 40lbs and is much better than Junior vs the run. How well a guy pass rushes is irrelevant to Jimmy because if were passing, Jimmy's not blocking I promise you. Jimmy only blocks on running plays and no TE in the league could move or stop Cam Jordan on a running play. I never compared Jimmy to Ditka! I implied he should emulate his hard nosed playing style. And a WR or RB can chip or set an edge or help double team. If you asked Jimmy he'd say he can and will do more. And why are you telling me there are no 265lb tackles? My point was being tall doesn't mean you can't block like others posted. And Strief has never and will never be a TE. He checked in one play on 3rd and 1 at TE. You say like Strief did in "the past", what 3 or 4 years ago? 10 years ago Shockey was more of a receiver than a tackle. Now Hoby Brenner was basically an OT with good hands.