Jimmy Graham: Remember Him?
I will be the first to admit, I somewhat forgot that Jimmy Graham was a tight end on the Seattle Seahawks. As someone who cried after two super bowl losses, attempted to watch every game of the 2015 season on a remote wi-fi connection in the Dominican Republic, and carried their 12th man flag across the Americas, I think it is safe for me to identify as a Seahawks fan.
And yeah, it may have slipped my mind that Jimmy Graham was on our 40-man.
During most of his time in Seattle, while Graham wasn’t practicing piloting in the Pacific Northwest, or serving as a groomsman in Russell Wilson’s wedding, he was on the training table. On November 29th, Jimmy Graham suffered a season ending injury- a tear in the patellar tendon that often takes years to fully rehab. Prior to his injury however, Graham’s season was hardly reflective of his dominant performance in New Orleans, leaving critics to question his four-year $40 million dollar price tag.
The 12’s who bought their #88 jerseys as soon as they cooled from the heat of the screen printer, were once again distraught. Graham, the subject of a trade with the New Orleans Saints for Max Unger and a Seahawk’s first-round draft pick in 2015, was brought in as a three-time Pro Bowl, big-bodied tight end to add to Russell Wilson’s arsenal. Despite his accolade studded career with the Saints, Graham struggled to find his place in Seattle’s run-heavy offense and lacked chemistry with Wilson.
Prior to his injury, Graham’s performance for the first 11 games of the season did not reflect his multi-million dollar price tag. Graham, a former basketball player, is known for his height, reach, and vertical. In New Orleans he was described as dynamic, a natural athlete, dominating on the post, and a sure bet for yards after contact.
In Seattle, he was none of the above.
With 26 touchdown catches in his past two seasons with the Saints, Graham had a total of two in 11 games with Seattle. His adjustment to the run-first offense, led by a quarterback who can tuck it and run himself, was glaringly apparent. He wasn’t terrible, but he wasn’t special. Forty-eight receptions, 608 receiving yards, and 12.6 yards per reception was all the Seattle offense squeezed out of our glamorized off-season pick-up. In his debut he was, dare I say it, mediocre.
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Fast-forward to the 2016 season and after the fourth game, I was quickly reminded of why we traded for Jimmy Graham. Size, dominance, confidence, and chemistry with Russell Wilson. While his first two games back on the field seemed reminiscent of his 2015 performance, the last two have given Hawks fans a reason to dust the cobwebs off of their #88 jerseys.
Two consecutive 100-yard games triggered my guilt in neglecting poor Jimmy. A one-handed grab on a matchup against the corner, and an over-the-shoulder web gem added into the final equation of 113 yards for 6 receptions against the Jets. In doing so, Graham became the first Seahawk since Mike Williams to have two back-to-back 100 yard games. Does he have my attention now? Hell yes.
Critics will say: only four weeks into the season, with two 100+ yard games, don’t call it a comeback. But a comeback, is exactly what I’m calling it, and what Seattle’s offense needs. With Wilson’s usual mobility somewhat limited, another weapon that he can trust in one-on-one coverage could be the difference makers for the Seahawks down the stretch. Bye week could halt his momentum, however his recent performance indicates otherwise. Jimmy Graham might just be here to say.
So, welcome back Jimmy, or should I say- Nice to meet you.
