Tag: Jimmy Graham

Jimmy Graham will test Seahawks defense from tight end spot

The Seattle Seahawks have struggled to defend tight ends this season, and Packers tight end Jimmy Graham will provide another big test.

Perhaps the biggest area of weakness for this Seattle Seahawks defense is their coverage of tight ends. Their commitment to the 4-3 base defense often leaves either an outside linebacker, or strong safety Bradley McDougald, in pass coverage, which creates mismatches opposing teams have learned to exploit.

It is part of the reason Seattle’s pass rush did not materialize as anticipated this year, since opposing quarterbacks could get the ball out quickly and find open tight ends in short yardage situations, thanks to Seattle’s below average coverage.

The Packers are almost certainly going to attempt to exploit that weakness on Sunday, and they have a familiar face to do the exploiting – former Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham, who just finished his second year in Green Bay.

“There’s a lot of good things he’s done this year for us,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said to Seattle media members on Wednesday. “His numbers don’t always reflect how important he is to us in terms of how we’ve been spreading the ball around, but he is a big part of what we do.”

Graham finished the regular season with 38 receptions for 447 yards and three touchdowns, numbers that are considerably down from his first season in Green Bay and his last season in Seattle. In fact, his 60 targets were the lowest total since his rookie season, back in 2010 with New Orleans.

Still, the Seahawks know first hand what Graham is capable of, and they are not planning to take him lightly.

“He’s such a monster of a player and an athlete that you know he can just make things happen,” coach Pete Carroll said. “We’ll give him a lot of respect.”

Graham’s size and athleticism make him a tough matchup for Seattle, and Aaron Rodgers’ elite skill set could make the tandem a tough one for the Seahawks on Sunday afternoon.

However, that doesn’t mean the Seahawks are scared – quite the opposite.

“I’m going to try to hit him,” linebacker Bobby Wagner said of defending Graham. “100%. I’m going to try to hit him a lot. If he tries to box me out, he thinks he’s good at basketball. He knows I’ll beat him.”

The Seahawks will get their chance to take on Graham, Rodgers and the rest of the Packers on Sunday afternoon starting at 3:40 p.m. PT.

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Can Jimmy Graham take advantage of opportunities against Seahawks defense?

The Seahawks struggle to cover tight ends. Can Jimmy Graham come alive and make big plays for the Packers?

Green Bay Packers tight end Jimmy Graham caught only 11 passes and averaged a little over 12 receiving yards per game over the final six games of the 2019 season, but the former Seattle Seahawk should have an opportunity to do some damage against his former team during Sunday’s NFC Divisional Round game at Lambeau Field.

The Seahawks have struggled covering tight ends for much of the 2019 season.

In fact, only the Dallas Cowboys gave up more catches to tight ends this season, while only the Arizona Cardinals gave up more receiving yards to the position. The Seahawks allowed tight ends to catch 97 passes for 1,066 yards.

Graham caught only 38 passes in 2019, his lowest in a season since his rookie year in 2010.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll isn’t overlooking a player he coached for two seasons.

“He’s such a monster of a player and athlete that you know he can just make things happen,” Carroll said, via 710 ESPN in Seattle. “We’ll give him a lot of respect.”

Over the last five weeks of the regular season, the Seahawks gave up big games to Zach Ertz (12 catches, 91 yards), Kyle Rudolph (four catches, 50 yards, TD), Tyler Higbee (seven catches, 116 yards) and George Kittle (seven catches, 86 yards).

Last week, the Seahawks allowed nine catches for 117 yards to Ertz and Dallas Goedert.

The one problem: Although he has a rich history of being a dominant pass-catching tight end, Graham no longer presents a significant threat in the passing game, and his remaining athleticism can’t match Ertz, Higbee or Kittle.

The Packers just need Graham to take advantage of every opportunity that comes his way Sunday.

In Detroit in Week 17, Graham was open up the seam on the first play from scrimmage but dropped the pass. That’s the kind of play Graham must finish against the Seahawks.

The Packers have paid Graham a little over $22 million over the last two years. He likely won’t be back in 2020. If ever there was a time for Graham to come alive and positively affect a big game, it’s now.

Also, don’t discount the possibility of the Packers using Robert Tonyan or rookie Jace Sternberger in the passing game on Sunday, especially if coach Matt LaFleur and quarterback Aaron Rodgers like the matchups against the Seahawks defense and want more speed to execute specific concepts for the position.

Time for the unlucky Saints to get younger

After a third straight heat-breaking playoff loss the New Orleans Saints need to get younger.

Walk down Bourbon Street in New Orleans and you’ll see all sorts of signs about voodoo. They might as well move those signs a mile or so away to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. After all it seems like the New Orleans Saints are cursed.

At least since they won the Super Bowl 10 years ago and especially the last three years. Sunday’s overtime playoff loss to the Minnesota Vikings was just the latest crushing hit to a proud franchise with a rabid fan base. It’s happened in historical fashion.

According to ESPN, the Saints became the first team to have six straight playoff losses by one score and the second team since Green Bay (2013-15) to lose in three straight postseasons on the final play of the game.

Remember the “Minneapolis Miracle’’? Everyone in New Orleans sure does. That was two years ago when Minnesota’s Stefon Diggs caught a walk-off touchdown pass.

Last year was even worse. That was the NFC Championship Game loss to the Los Angeles Rams. In that game, Los Angeles defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman blatantly interfered with New Orleans receiver Tommylee Lewis on a play that could have put the Saints in the Super Bowl.

Sunday’s loss won’t prompt coach Sean Payton to force any rule changes, the way he convinced the league last year to make pass interference and non-calls reviewable. But the loss to the Vikings wasn’t any less painful than last year. The Saints got stabbed twice in overtime. First, there was a 43-yard pass from Kirk Cousins to Adam Thielen that took the Vikings to the 2-yard line. Cousins followed that with a touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Rudolph to win the game.

So where do the Saints go from here?

“It might get worse before it gets better,’’ a scout for another NFC team said. “They have a lot of older players. People have to understand that they have to get younger and that comes with growing pains. With them, it’s not a total rebuild but they have to get younger in some spots.’’

What spots? Let’s take a look at what the scout suggested the Saints should do this offseason.

Get a young cornerback

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

“Janoris Jenkins and Patrick Robinson are old,’’ the scout said. “They need to draft a cornerback.’’

Marshon Lattimore is in his prime and Eli Apple, who missed the game with an injury, still has upside. But the Saints need to add a cornerback early in the draft to keep up with the likes of Julio Jones, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in the NFC South. Adding Janoris Jenkins late in the 2019 season is a stopgap at best.

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DK Metcalf’s rookie season among the best in franchise history

Seattle Seahawks rookie receiver DK Metcalf had an excellent season, proving the doubters wrong and excelling in a variety of roles.

The regular season is over, and while the Seattle Seahawks 2019 rookie class was underwhelming as a whole, receiver DK Metcalf proved the doubters wrong with an excellent campaign, hauling in 58 receptions for 900 yards and seven touchdowns.

Metcalf’s 900 receiving yards was third among rookies, behind his former college teammate, A.J. Brown, as well as Terry McLaurin.

Additionally, Metcalf and Tyler Lockett (1,057 yards) became the third duo in Seahawks franchise history to each accrue 900 or more receiving yards, joining Doug Baldwin and Jimmy Graham (2016) and Joey Galloway and Brian Blades (1995).

Metcalf was originally projected as an early to mid first round pick, but concerns about his limited route-running dropped him all the way to the final pick in the second round, where Seattle traded up to acquire his services.

Concerns about the route-running proved inconsequential, as Metcalf excelled in a variety of roles for Seattle.

“We don’t have any problem with moving him around and asking him to do different things,” coach Pete Carroll said on Monday. “Blocking on different levels and running all kinds of routes. He’s just been a really diverse player for us, which is rare with a young guy. Usually, the young guys come in and they have kind of been taken care of all along where they’ve been in systems where they don’t have all of that background, so they have a lot of stuff to learn and you can see the inexperience in guys. He doesn’t play like that at all.”

Metcalf’s 58 percent catch rate was perhaps his biggest flaw, as drops at key times often killed drives. However, his relationship with Russell Wilson blossomed in the second half of the year. Across the team’s final eight games, Metcalf had a team-high 498 yards on 35 receptions, along with a 63.6 percent catch rate.

The rookie still has some work to do to reach his potential as an elite x-receiver, but the early return is extremely promising for the Seahawks, who really needed another weapon on the outside to pair with Lockett and Wilson.

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New Orleans Saints 2010s All-Decade Team: Offense

The 2010 New Orleans Saints’ All-Decade Team is headlined by Drew Brees, Mark Ingram, Marques Colston, Michael Thomas, and Terron Armstead.

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The New Orleans Saints saw a period of mostly sustained success throughout the last decade, with a few hiccups along the way during four seasons of 7-9 futility. However, the offense always maintained its dominance, as it ranked top-10 in total offense in nine of the last ten years. Even during those 7-9 seasons, New Orleans boasted an elite offense, and the efforts of Drew Brees and company were all that kept those teams competitive.

With so many key playmakers to choose from throughout the last decade, it was difficult to decide who would make the cut. Let us know what you think we got right, and what you would change.

Now, here is the offensive-side of the Saints All-Decade Team for the 2010s:

Quarterback

First team: Drew Brees

Easiest choice in the entire All-Decade team. Brees has averaged 4,677 yards passing per season this decade. Four of his five record-setting 5,000-plus yards passing seasons came in this decade, with two of them occurring during a 7-9 season, proving he had to shoulder the work.

On top of his otherworldly passing yards, Brees has been a record-breaking machine in the 2010s. During that time, Brees has 29 NFL records including all-time leader in career passing yards, all-time leader in career passing touchdowns and all-time leader in percentage completion. Now, he is looking to add one more achievement to the decade list: another Super Bowl win in Miami.

Second team: Teddy Bridgewater

Other options for the second team could have included Chase Daniel, Taysom Hill,  or Luke McCown. None of these options stepped in and helped save a season from sure disaster after Brees went down in Week 2 of the 2019 NFL season like Bridgewater did. Plus, could Bridgewater be the 2020s All-Decade first team quarterback in ten years? Stay tuned.

Running back

First team: Mark Ingram, Alvin Kamara

A Heisman Trophy winner out of Alabama, Ingram was selected by New Orleans in the 2011 draft. For eight seasons the running back roamed the New Orleans back field, with the 2014-18 seasons being his most productive. After Pierre Thomas’ departure from the team after the 2014 season, Ingram’s role increased dramatically. He soon posted back-to-back seasons of 1000-plus rushing yards in 2016 and 2017.

Not only was Ingram’s production a reason why he landed on this list, but also his leadership in the locker room with the younger players. Despite his veteran status, he was able to form a phenomenal relationship and friendship with current Saints running back Alvin Kamara during his rookie and sophomore campaigns. That leadership Ingram helped provide turned Kamara into one of the most feared backs in the league.

Kamara in his three seasons with the Saints has already eclipsed Thomas’ decade total with 2,408 yards of rushing, and has added another 2,068 yards of receiving. Kamara’s arrival also coincided with the resurgence of New Orleans as an annual Super Bowl contender. No coincidence there.

Second team: Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles

The second team came down to two running backs: Pierre Thomas. In the five seasons Thomas spent in New Orleans during this decade, his best season saw him rush for 562 yards in the 2011 season, and had 2,075 yards of total rushing in this decade. Couple his rushing production and his prolific role in the passing game, Thomas was just edged out by Kamara for first team honors.

Wide Receiver

First Team: Michael Thomas, Marques Colston

Since arriving in New Orleans by way of a second-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft, Thomas has set the league on fire. In all four seasons, he has recorded over 1000 receiving yards, and in three of them has had over 100 receptions. In 2019, Thomas led the league in receiving yards with 1725 yards, and set the record for most receptions in a single NFL season with 149.

The Saints offense has run through Thomas in the last four seasons like no other player in recent history. His production is possibly the best explanation for why New Orleans is in the position they are in this year despite losing Brees in Week 2.

The Quiet Storm was easily the best Saints receiver in the 2000s, and his production during the 2010s still warrants him a place on this list. Colston’s best production came when Brees had to throw the ball for 5,000 yards every single season in order to make up for the lack of a defense during the 7-9 seasons. The one advantage Colston does have over Thomas in this list is his touchdown production. However, it was not enough to claim the top spot.

Second team: Brandin Cooks, Lance Moore

Cooks is quite possibly the fastest wide receiver to ever play in the Black and Gold. The wideout played for New Orleans from 2014-2016, and during his last two seasons, he put up some solid numbers. Over three seasons, Cooks averaged over 953 yards per season, and nearly seven touchdowns.

Tight end

First team: Jimmy Graham

Graham helped revolutionize the tight end position when he arrived in New Orleans in 2010. For five years Graham was one of the most potent weapons in league, with his best being the 2011 season which ended in a heart breaker in San Francisco during the NFC Divisional Round. That year alone the tight end compiled 1310 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns. His five-year stint with the Saints ended when he was shipped to the Seattle Seahawks for center Max Unger and a first-round pick.

Second team: Benjamin Watson

Tight end has been a revolving door for the Saints throughout much of the last decade. Only two names stand out that could possibly make the second team, Watson and Josh Hill. Watson wins out because in 63 games played, Watson has over 1,587 yards and 12 touchdowns. Couple those stats with his veteran leadership, and helping to reshape the locker room has helped put New Orleans back on track after some rough seasons.

Offensive tackle:

First Team: Terron Armstead, Zach Strief

Armstead has steadily been one of the best offensive linemen in Saints franchise history. Since 2013, Armstead has locked down the starting left tackle job, and was voted to a Pro Bowl in 2018 and 2019 as well as a second team All-Pro in 2018. His only downfall has been his career-long issues with injuries.

Despite never making a Pro Bowl or being named All-Pro, Strief was one the best right tackles in the NFL. While Ryan Ramczyk may soon overtake Strief as the best right tackle to ever wear the Black and Gold, the All-Decade honor deservedly belongs to Strief.

Second Team: Ryan Ramczyk, Jermon Bushrod

Ramczyk only made the second team solely due to the fact he is in his third season. In 2019, Ramczyk held the likes of J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, Dante Fowler, Nick Bosa and Shaquil Barrett in check. If he continues his current pace, he can easily surpass anyone on this list as one of the best Saints offensive linemen of all time.

Offensive guard:

First Team: Jahri Evans, Larry Warford

Evans was drafted in 2006 in the fourth round, and surprisingly became the immediate starter that following season. As one of the best draft picks in franchise history, Evans stacked up six Pro Bowl nods, four first-team All-Pro selections (2009-2012) and second-team All-Pro in 2013. Other than the quarterback position, this was this easiest selection for the All-Decade team.

Warford joined the Saints via free agency in 2017, and instantly solidified the right guard position. A Pro Bowler in 2017 and 2018, Warford has helped propel New Orleans’ offensive line to one of the strongest and most talented in the league.

Second Team: Carl Nicks, Andrus Peat

Nicks has a case over Warford in the first team, but Warford barely edged him out in part due to superior, sustained play. Nicks was a part of the 2009 Super Bowl run, and made the Pro Bowl in 2010 and 2011. But he left the Saints in 2013 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and retired early in 2014. His contributions to New Orleans in the early part of this decade cannot be dismissed, and earned him a spot on this list.

Center

First Team: Max Unger, Brian De La Puente

Unger came to New Orleans by way of the blockbuster trade that sent Jimmy Graham to Seattle. In hindsight, this is one of the best trades New Orleans has pulled off in recent memory as Graham went on to Seattle and his decline began rapidly soon after. Unger however, would go one to become one of the best centers to ever play with Brees, and was rewarded with a Pro Bowl selection in 2018, the first of his career.

There is a huge drop off between Unger and De La Puente, but he held down the fort between the time Olin Kreutz surprisingly retired in 2011 until Unger arrived in 2015. De La Puente was there during the time Brees and the offense were shattering records, and the offensive line was potent, so that says something.

Second Team: Erik McCoy

McCoy was selected by New Orleans with their first pick in the 2019 NFL draft which came in the second round. As a rookie, he instantly took over the position from Unger, and is in the conversation for Rookie of the Year honors. His poise, maturity and skill will help him land on this list again in 2020.

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NFL Prop Bet Payday: Week 14

Analyzing key Week 14 NFL prop bets that seem poised for a pay day, featuring props around Jimmy Graham, Deshaun Watson and Alvin Kamara

The fun of playing prop bets is when you see a number that doesn’t look right and you ask yourself why? Granted, they don’t build additions on casinos because everybody wins. We’ve unearthed three NFL Prop Bet Payday wagers for Sunday’s games that could make things a little more interesting for bettors who want to invest in a player instead of team. If all three guys are on your fantasy playoff team, you have to.

50 Shades of Graham

Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch – USA TODAY Sports

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Green Bay Packers TE Jimmy Graham has been one of the most dominant tight ends of his generation. But, now he’s almost an afterthought. Things have gotten so bad, that his Over/Under for receiving yards is 19.5. The rationale makes sense. Graham’s targets over the last five games have been akin to the New Year’s Eve countdown clock – 5-4-3-2-1. He has hit 20 or more yards in five of his last eight games, including going under the last two. He only needs two catches to hit the Over. The Washington Redskins will keep hands off Jimmy and it will be a mistake. Take the OVER 19.5 (-118) for Graham’s receiving yards.

Looking to place a bet any of the Week 14 NFL games? Get some action on the games or other sports at BetMGM. Sign up now!

Deshaun of the Dead

Photo Credit: Troy Taormina – USA TODAY Sports

I was torn on this one because I’m just as interested at Houston Texans RB Carlos Hyde’s number (64½ yards). The Denver Broncos have been gashed by running backs all year, including Josh Jacobs (23-85-1), Leonard Fournette (29-225), Marlon Mack (19-76-1), Devin Singletary (21-109) and Melvin Gordon (20-99). When teams run with that frequency, a QB doesn’t put up eye-popping numbers. Houston QB Deshaun Watson’s Over/Under is 270½. Expect Hyde and Duke Johnson to run 25 times or more and keep the clock and the chains moving. Our boys at The Huddle have him at 240, a more realistic number. Take the UNDER 270.5 (-118) for Watson’s total passing yards.

When a Saint comes marching in

Photo Credit: Dale Zanine – USA TODAY Sports

Now Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara has largely been a disappointment this season, scoring just two touchdowns through 12 games. But he still has a similar role in the offense and, with the San Francisco 49ers coming to town, Drew Brees will be looking to avoid standing in the pocket as a business decision. Kamara’s Over/Under is 59½ rushing yards. In the eight full games he has played without injury, he has topped 60 yards six times. The 49ers’ pass defense is oppressive, but it gives up big plays and big days on the ground to those who commit and have talent. Over the last seven games, opponents have gone Over every week, including Adrian Peterson (20-81), Christian McCaffrey (14-117-1), Kenyan Drake (31-177-1 in two games), Chris Carson (25-89-1), Green Bay’s ground game (28-117-1) and the combination of Lamar Jackson and Mark Ingram (31-160-1). Take the OVER 59.5 (-106) for Kamara’s rushing yards and watch him break off the two splash he needs to hit the Over.

Now that you have the skinny on what to do with each player, visit BetMGM to place a bet on your favorite NFL Prop Bets now. For additional sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com now and for a complete set of today’s live odds, access them at USA TODAY Sports.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Behind Enemy Lines: Week 12 Q&A with Packers Wire

With a Week 13 matchup between the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers on tap, we go behind enemy lines for a chat with Packers Wire.

The New York Giants (2-9) and Green Bay Packers (8-3) will square off on Sunday in Week 13.

The Giants opened the week as 6.5-point home underdogs, and the spread hasn’t changed as of Saturday morning.

With this matchup on tap, Giants Wire took the opportunity to hold a Q&A with Packers Wire managing editor Zach Kruse.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Giants Wire: The Packers appeared to have rounded out some early season struggles entering Week 12, but then came a meltdown against the 49ers. What did San Francisco do to frustrate Aaron Rodgers & Co. and what should the Giants have learned from that game?

Zach Kruse: The 49ers were a bad matchup for the Packers on paper and it played out exactly that way on the field. The 49ers dominated the line of scrimmage, contained Aaron Jones as a runner and receiver, got consistent pressure with only four rushers and smothered any and all underneath-to-intermediate options in the passing game. The Chargers established the blueprint in Week 9, and the 49ers executed it perfectly.

The key to frustrating the Packers is taking away the running backs (especially Jones), pressuring Rodgers without blitzing and playing coverage with seven. Force the Packers to beat you through the air with their receivers and tight ends. They haven’t proved capable of doing it consistently.

Continue …

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Giants vs. Packers: 6 things to know about Week 13

The New York Giants and Green Bay Packers square off on Sunday in Week 13, so here are six things fans should know.

The New York Giants (2-9) will attempt to stop their free fall through the standings with an upset over the Green Bay Packers (8-3) at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

Here are six things to know about the Week 13 game

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The rivalry

This week’s game marks the 54th regular-season meeting between the two teams since 1928.The Packers lead the regular season series, 28-23-2. The Giants have a 16-15-2 home record against the Pack. The teams last met on October 9, 2016, a 23-16 Packers victory at Lambeau Field. The Giants last played Green Bay at home on November 17, 2013, winning, 27-13, over the Aaron Rodgers-less Packers.

The two clubs have met eight times in the post season. The Packers have won five times (1938, 1944, 1961, 1962 and 2017). The Giants’ three wins came in 1938, 2008 and 2012.

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