official Jimmy Graham signed

[Sunshinepacker]

He required a lot of maintinence days in Seattle and was clearly slowed by his significant knee injury. Hopefully another year removed from said injury will help him recover more of his former athleticism.

His athleticism is what it is at this point, it's good but certainly not elite. He's got an amazing catch radius (something that's kind of worthless when you have a QB as accurate as Rodgers) but lacks lateral quickness at this point. However, outside of his knee injury he's been very durable. Overall I think the team spent too much on him but I'm beginning to come around to the idea of making the offense as good as possible while just letting the defense sort of get carried along. For as much as people bemoan the defense being the thing that's prevented the Packers from winning, offense is what has won the last couple of titles in the NFL and it was mainly the offense that let the team down in the Falcons playoff loss two years ago.

 

[adambr2]

And because of the contract Allen Robinson got that means the Watkins contract is good.

See the problem there?

This contract is horrible and it's utterly amazing how many people are ok with it.

No, it just means we paid market value. 8M is basically the starting point for any average starting free agent tight end. Graham is better than an average tight end. What did you honestly think Graham was going to get?

This is free agency. You pay the top bid to get the player you want or you don't participate.

 

[RRyder]

No, it just means we paid market value. 8M is basically the starting point for any average starting free agent tight end. Graham is better than an average tight end. What did you honestly think Graham was going to get?

This is free agency. You pay the top bid to get the player you want or you don't participate.

Just because you'd have to overpay to get a FA doesn't mean you should.

If he gets this deal from any other team 95% of the people praising it right now would be ridiculing it. Just look at how people are reacting to the Watkins, Robinson and Johnson deals but nope not here because people are just so happy they signed a big name regardless of what for

 

[Dantés]

Just because you'd have to overpay to get a FA doesn't mean you should.

If he gets this deal from any other team 95% of the people praising it right now would be ridiculing it. Just look at how people are reacting to the Watkins, Robinson and Johnson deals

But hey he's a name so there's that....

I'm with you that this is an overpay and not what I wanted to see the Packers do, but there is still some "game" here to go with the name. It's not the Jeff Saturday signing.

 

[adambr2]

If he gets this deal from any other team 95% of the people praising it right now would be ridiculing it.

I started this thread and in my original post when I suggested pursuing him I literally said he would probably be in line for something around the same 4/40 he got in Seattle.

 

[RRyder]

I started this thread and in my original post when I suggested pursuing him I literally said he would probably be in line for something around the same 4/40 he got in Seattle.

That still doesn't mean it's a good idea to give that to him.

We all knew Sammy Watkins was going to get a huge contract this year. Does that mean it was smart to give him 48 million?

 

[adambr2]

That still doesn't mean it's a good idea to give that to him.

We all knew Sammy Watkins was going to get a huge contract this year. Does that mean it was smart to give him 48 million?

You said 95% of people here would be ridiculing the deal if anyone else had given it to him. Why would I ridicule the same average pay that I suggested giving to him?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Be happy, be mad, be nonchalant about the Graham signing, but the truth of the matter is, the Packers offense is a much better offense when they have a top talent playing at TE. Considering Graham was thought to be the top FA TE available, I'm thankful the Packers were able to land him, even if it cost the Packers a few million more than the guy thought to be the 2nd best option, Burton.

 

[RRyder]

You said 95% of people here would be ridiculing the deal if anyone else had given it to him. Why would I ridicule the same average pay that I suggested giving to him?

Well there is a 5% there so.......

 

[adambr2]

Be happy, be mad, be nonchalant about the Graham signing, but the truth of the matter is, the Packers offense is a much better offense when they have a top talent playing at TE. Considering Graham was thought to be the top FA TE available, I'm thankful the Packers were able to land him, even if it cost the Packers a few million more than the guy thought to be the 2nd best option, Burton.

I just don't get why anyone has major sticker shock over a $10M price tag for Graham. The salary cap has risen dramatically in recent years and $10M a year doesn't buy what it used to. Not many really batted an eye at 12M per year for Perry. A kicker is costing us over 5M in cap this year. Sam freaking Bradford just got 20M. I realize that doesn't make it smart, but my point is 10M isn't what it used to be.

Even with some down years in Seattle playing in mostly a run oriented offense during his 3 years, Graham has had 9 or more TDs in 5 of 7 seasons, probably would have been 6 of 7 if one hadn't been cut short to injury.

Even at 31 he offers a redzone dimension for Rodgers that he hasn't had for his entire career.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Lions just released Ebron. Will be interesting to see where his numbers come in at.

 

[GleefulGary]

It's not a great deal, but it's not an awful deal either.


Graham is an elite RZ target where Rodgers already thrives. So that's nice.

What will really help is that even though he's not as good as he used to be, he's still a threat down the seam. He will command attention. That helps everybody else out. Last time we had a guy who could do that was Jared Cook, and even he was just ok at it...but look what it did for Rodgers! That's where we will see the biggest impact imo.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I'm still undecided on the Packers signing Graham. Gutekunst definitely upgraded a position in need of an improvement but in my opinion $10 million per season is a lot of money for a soon-to-be 32-year old tight end that has struggled to put up elite numbers since leaving the Saints.

Hopefully the move doesn't prevent the team from adequately addressing the cornerback position.

But I would be curious to see a stat that says our TE/WR's drop more balls then other teams.

According to PFF the Packers were tied for the 10th fewest drops in the league last season.

I love Jordy but he was clearly aging, whereas for less money we got Graham from who we can still get a few good years probably.

You have to realize that Graham is only 1 1/2 years younger than Nelson.

 

[LambeauLombardi]

Bennett was only 1 year younger than Graham yet he got paid 2 mil per year less. I really do not like this deal considering Jordy only had 1 year left on his deal. Is Jordy a better run blocker than Graham?

 

[thequick12]

Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski were both drafted in 2010. Graham has played in 121 games starting 89 and Gronkowski has played in 121 starting 89.
Graham 556 catches for 6800 yards 12.2 ypc 69 tds
Gronkowski 474 catches for 7179 yards 15.1 ypc 76 tds

Since leaving the saints he put up 170 receptions for 2048 yards 12 ypc and 18 tds despite missing 5 games in 2015. In 5 seasons with the saints he averaged 12.3 ypc he did average 10 tds per year compared to 6 with the Seahawks but he only missed 2 games and the difference between Russell wilson and Drew Brees at qb I'm sure accounts for something. Not sure how he's struggled to put up elite numbers when he's essentially put up the same numbers. Another elite te over the last 3 seasons travis kelce put up 250 catches for 3038 yards 12.1 ypc and 17 tds. Grahams numbers did dip in 2017. We'll see what happens but I'm guessing 65 catches for 1000 yards and 10 tds is reasonable to expect, basically a return to his 2016 form (65 for 923 and 6) but boosted slightly by a significantly better player at qb. He has the unique opportunity to cement his legacy as a hall of famer through both personal and team success

 

[HardRightEdge]

Can he block?

Just kidding.

 

[RepStar15]

Are you Contract haters forgetting that Aaron’s rodgers now has a 6’7 target that specializes in catching a back shoulder red zone pass. Last time I checked the back shoulder pass happens to be one of Rodgers specialities too. This was a match made in heaven. To be honest, at first I hated this signing. Thought we overpaid too. Then I saw what Sammy Watkins, Allen Robinson, Trey Burton and friggin Jerrick McKinnon were costing teams, and I do not hate this contract at all.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

It has been said a few times by others, but saying that Graham isn't the player he once was, isn't really accurate. Statistically, his numbers are down in his 3 years in Seattle, but so were his targets. Let's face it, Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks do not run the same kind of offense as Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.

Final 3 years in New Orleans: 402 targets, 256 receptions, 3086 yds, 35 TD's
3 years in Seattle: 265 targets, 170 receptions, 2048 yds, 18 TD's

Sure he is 4 years older since playing in New Orleans, but I don't think his drop in stats is all about his age, but more about the system he was stuck in. I like his odds of getting back to his "old ways" playing in Green Bay and having the best QB in the NFL throwing to him.

 

[Mondio]

One reason for Graham and dropping Nelson and keeping Cobb, besides Cobb being younger, we didn't have a TE threat. Jordy didn't open things up for Cobb anymore. I think running him under or behind the TE clearing out the underneath or the middle could allow him to get back to what he was. Well more like it anyway. I think Graham will help Cobb and he'll replace Jordy's TD numbers in the redzone. From a fan standpoint it still sucks that Jordy is gone, but I do understand the move regardless of how Graham works out. I hope it's a smashing success obviously, but even if it's not, it makes sense.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I doubt it was a big factor in the "Nelson over Cobb" decision, but a minor part could play out after next season. If Cobb hits Free Agency next year, we at least get a comp pick out of him. Whereas Jordy was talking about playing one more year and then possibly retiring.

 

[HardRightEdge]

Are you Contract haters forgetting that Aaron’s rodgers now has a 6’7 target that specializes in catching a back shoulder red zone pass. Last time I checked the back shoulder pass happens to be one of Rodgers specialities too. This was a match made in heaven. To be honest, at first I hated this signing. Thought we overpaid too. Then I saw what Sammy Watkins, Allen Robinson, Trey Burton and friggin Jerrick McKinnon were costing teams, and I do not hate this contract at all.

Graham looks noticeably slower than a few years ago in his prime. No doubt there is value in having a red zone target, but you have to get there first. You could have sucured Nelson for less money. This is a high $, high risk contract. I do not approve of the amount of this contract.

Considering Richard Rodgers and James Jones each had 8 TDs in 2015, with Nelson out for the year and Adams struggling with injuries, I think we can say the QB has a knack for finding guys when he smells blood.

 

[RRyder]

Really enjoying the "Seattle didn't use him right" and "Wilson isn't close to Rodgers or Brees" arguments......

Like yeah. If there's a guy to make the highest paid player in the league at his position it's a guy who needs a HoF QB throwing him the ball, in a system designed for him to get the ball, to be elite....

That just screams top dollar.

Not saying he doesn't improve our TE situation but anyone saying this isn't a complete and utter over pay is kidding themselves

 

[Curly Calhoun]

Jimmy Graham, 2017:

57 receptions, 520 yards, 10 touchdowns.


Richard Rodgers, 2017:

12 receptions, 160 yards, 1 touchdown.


Lance Kendricks, 2017:

18 receptions, 203 yards, 1 touchdown.


Obviously there are other factors in play (Russell Wilson vs. Brett Hundley, for one), but this seems like an upgrade to the tight end position.


FWIW, Jared Cook, 2016 Green Bay):

30 receptions, 377 yards, 1 touchdown

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Really enjoying the "Seattle didn't use him right" and "Wilson isn't close to Rodgers or Brees" arguments......

Like yeah. If there's a guy to make the highest paid player in the league at his position it's a guy who needs a HoF QB throwing him the ball, in a system designed for him to get the ball, to be elite....

That just screams top dollar.

Not saying he doesn't improve our TE situation but anyone saying this isn't a complete and utter over pay is kidding themselves

So who has Russell Wilson helped to make look elite during his time in Seattle? You think Russell Wilson is as good of a QB as Rogers or Brees? Why does Gronk look elite?

How often do you see a player switch teams and his game gets better or worse?

If Gronk's contract was up to date, he would be the highest paid TE in the league. Kelce, same thing. So saying "Graham is the highest paid TE" isn't really saying much. Currently he may be, but that will change before his contract is up.

In only 3 seasons Graham set the Seahawks franchise records for a tight end in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and receptions. He did much of the same while in New Orleans.

Pro Bowls in 4 out of his last 5 years, 2015 he was injured. I suppose doubters now will call him injury prone?

I can't guarantee you that he will be great for the Packers, but I can at least say that IMO the Packers grabbed what appears to be the best FA TE available, as well as one of the best TE's in the NFL. If $10M/year is a complete and utter overpay, what did you expect to pay and what do you expect in return for that investment?

 

[Dantés]

Here's what's kind of confusing to me.

Graham had patellar tendon surgery and rehabbed before the 2016 season. He then came out that season and set a career high 14.2 YPC on 65 receptions. It wasn't until 2017 that his YPC regressed to 9.1. So I guess I'm trying to figure out, if the decline in yards per catch is due to declining athleticism and the toll of injuries, why was it so high his first year back from surgery? It's going to be very interesting. I do hope they draft a successor somewhere in the top 100 or so in case he's slowed down at times in 2018.