Five-time Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham wasn’t immune to criticism last season and knows he and the team can do better moving forward. Graham, who found the end zone ten times in 2017 with the Seahawks and 69 times over his first eight seasons, scored just two touchdowns last season. He caught just 55 passes, his lowest for a full season since his rookie season (he caught 48 in 11 games in 2015 in his first season with Seattle). Graham is hoping and also confident he and the offense will turn things around this season under new head coach Matt LaFleur. To be fair, there is more a chance this upcoming season of him actually getting his hands on the ball with the likely upcoming offense personnel changes.
Although not one to often talk to the media, Graham opened up at his charity cornhole tournament about the previous season, his goals moving forward, and why he’s still playing the game going into his 10th NFL season. Graham noted that last season was definitely a disappointing one for the entire organization. Personally, he knows last season was bad and needs to focus on being the big red zone threat he has always been throughout his career.
Critics may be whispering about Graham being on the downside of an excellent career, which motivates him more to be the best he can be. The quickness Graham displayed during his prime is now in question, but he knows he can still run and cause mismatch problems for the opposition. Graham also knows that run blocking will likely be at the forefront in LaFleur’s offensive scheme.
Graham will get some competition at the position, as the Packers drafted Jace Sternberger out of Texas A&M in the third round. At 6′ 4″ and 250 pounds, Sternberger is a big target who showed the ability to stretch the field, despite a relatively mediocre time in the 40. He joins 35-year old veteran Marcedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan, along with Graham to form a solid group at the position.
The ultimate goal is getting the Super Bowl ring. Graham insists he will keep playing and is determined to make that happen. Once that does happen, he’ll figure out his next step, whether to play or retire. For the Packers and all of their fans, let’s hope that decision has to come at the conclusion of this coming season.
I hope Graham is right, it will be harder to learn, now that our coach is an invalid. I suppose Graham could practice running 100 yards behind LaFleur’s wheelchair. I hope having a cripple for a coach doesn’t effect the team. This injury is worse that say Mike Zimmer’s bulging eyeballs. At least Zimmer could hide, wear some dark glasses. Zimmer has always been rather homely, but LaFleur was much more handsome before this here devistating accident. Basketball Jones. Whelp I guess we get what we got. It’s sad to have to waitress your head coach. Maybe could get McCarthy back to patrol the sidelines. I’ve been having bad dreams since Matt LaFleur has become incapacitated. It’s not a good thing for him of course, but the only thing that really matters is The Packers !🚀😁🧀🐀♿♿♿♿♿♿♿♿♿♿♿♿
What the fuck did I just read? <---- this should be this site's new motto, btw
Were you hammered when you wrote this? An ankle injury suddently affects someone’s looks? And their ability to coach? Not to mention spelling and grammatical errors that would make an English teacher blush
So….if i’m understanding this, and i think i am…..Jimmy’s gonna start taking this seriously? Jimmy’s SAYS he going to start producing? WOW…..color me impressed.
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I think i’ll wait to read Part Two of the Jimmy Graham story…..where Jimmy SAYS he won’t drop so many balls. Where Jimmy SAYS he’ll get open more. Where Jimmy SAYS he’ll play faster this season.
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Gotta love reading what Packer players…..SAY
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Gotta go, wife is calling and i don’t want to get…… “punched in the mouth”.
I hope Jimmy is not one of those cursed players not meant to win a championship. Like Randy Moss, Junior Seau, Phillip Rivers, Tony Gonzalez and all Minnesota Vikings. They chase it and it never happens.
I’d like to simply say “i’m going to have thick hair this year” and grow my blond mullet back, but there’s no reversing father time. Sorry Jimmy, but you’re not going to outrun 25 year old linebackers anymore.