Saints Sideline Blog

GRAHAM GROWING UP

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011      Email Print

DATELINE: METAIRIE, LA (Saints TE has scary potential)

Its sounds strange but its true---many prep stars around the country enter this season with more years of football experience than the Saints starting tight end. Jimmy Graham's sport of choice at the U was dunking the ball not catching it. The Saints couldn't be happier that things didn't work out on the basketball court, as his play a year ago was nothing but net.

Graham may have entered the NFL with only one year of playing competitive football but you sure couldn't tell in his rookie season where he quickly became the Saints Rookie of the Year despite being its third round pick. Sean Payton calls him "a quick study." Graham admitted his "head was spinning, I was like a deer out there, just running to a spot."  He may have been nervous but his play was quite outgoing where he became Brees' go to guy late in the season. After getting his feet wet early on, he really caught on in by week 11 where despite a late start, Graham still managed to haul in 31 catches, 5 TD's and average over 11 yards per catch---he should more than pad those stats this fall.

This season the sophomore Saint knows he must become an all-around Tight End. Graham still talks to his mentor Jeremy Shockey every day where the veteran has passed on that he must become a better blocker, more of a student of the game and above all else-- work hard to earn respect among his teammates. Shockey can't be there in practice, so Dave Thomas continues to serve as a steady sounding board for Jimmy who admits he is working hard to improve his skills as a route runner and reading defenses. I remember last year there was a time where Shockey and Thomas wouldn't let Jimmy talk to the media---a year later the shackles are off where Graham is growing up right before everyone's eyes.

Brees respects Graham's athleticism but especially admires his passion for the game. " He is a guy who loves football. I think that is one of the most important things, he loves the game. He wants to be great and he is willing to work do that" Drew told me after a recent practice. Graham worked hard enough this offseason where he added 10 pounds of bulk and trained with fellow Cane Jonathan Vilma in South Florida in this abnormal offseason. As a result, the second year Saint feels stronger and faster which should accelerate his growth as one of the elite Tight Ends in the league.

Confidence is not a problem with Jimmy Graham. Brees tells me that he displays the confidence that he is the best athlete on the football field in practice and even during games his rookie season. Graham admits he needs to be humbled at times but the mental game has helped him make the quick jump from one year of playing college football to argubly when all is said and done---many feel the Saints Tight End could be the best player in the Class of 2010. That's quite a legacy to live up to but Graham is ready to put the work in---the result could be another big NFL jump. It sure beats a jump shot?

AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

THE "WILL" TO WAIT---Many expect Will Smith to miss the first four games of the season due to taking a banned substance (the never ending Star Caps saga) back in 2008. WIth three weeks till the regular season kicks off, Payton tells us he hasn't heard anything from the league yet? Stay tuned fans and rookie Cameron Jordan who could wind up stepping in on opening day?

JENKINS SITS---Safety Malcolm Jenkins sat out Tuesday's practice resting his sore knee but Payton expects him to play versus Houston on Saturday night. Jenkins has had an outstanding training camp where it seems he's made a big play every day.

SAINT PATRICK--With Saints RB Joique Bell injured in the preseason opener they add a fresh runner in former Dolphin RB Patrick Cobbs who played special teams and backed up Ronnie Brown and RIcky Williams the past few seasons. Cobbs inherits #44---the old number of popular fullback Heath Evans.

GOAL LINE FUN---The last public practice of Camp saw the Saints deliver some spirited goal line drills. This segment went to the defense who only allowed one score and that was when Sean Canfield and the third team D hit the field. Good to see rookie Cam Jordan shine where he was active and continues to get more comfortable.

BREES' EXTRA CREDIT--The last man off the field is usually Drew Brees as he likes to throw extra passes or sign extra autographs. Tuesday was a bit different as we saw Brees running extra laps around the practice field---in the past he has called this "self-punishment."

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT: Gregg Williams never disappoints. The Saints defensive coordinator churns out some beauties every day on the practice field. Tuesday he unveiled his entire arsenal. Here are Williams' top 5 quips--as you read this ---picturing him yells each one at his defense.

(1) To his new favorite target, rookie Martez WIlson---"Martez, is there a chance you will do anything today?"
(2) Asking his guys whether they anticipate a run or pass play--" Rabbit hot or Bird hot---figure it out?"
(3) On the upcoming Houston road trip---"You can buy your own ticket home."
(4) Incomplete pass "Long foul ball."
(5) "!!!???###$$$""---you get the idea---this is a family show!

UNTIL NEXT BLOG,
Mike Nabors
CST

By: Mike Nabors

An Emmy award winning sports reporter who covers a wide variety of events for CST. Primarily, Mike serves as the network's reporter for Saints coverage.

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