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When the Green Bay Packers decides to bring back tight end Jimmy Graham for a second season, the move wasn’t exactly popular among the fans.
That might seem kind of crazy when you look at Graham’s all-pro resume but last season was a disappointment for both him and fans who had expectations of him lighting up the scoreboard with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. He only caught two touchdowns, which tied for the lowest total of his career. Since so many thought he’d be a big red zone threat, this made Graham a somewhat popular cut candidate this offseason even after just one offseason.
Now with Graham back in the fold and with a new offense being installed by head coach Matt LaFleur, there is actual reason for optimism regarding the veteran tight end.
First, his returns bring some much needed consistency to the tight end position which has been in flux ever since Jermichael Finley’s neck injury in 2013. The Packers have tried various players at the position and Graham could have been the second one year wonder after the Martellus Bennett fiasco but general manager Brian Gutekunst decided to bring him back to see what he could do in LaFleur’s offense.
It’s that new offense that is the other reason for hope that Graham will have a bounce back season.
LaFleur’s offense stems from the scheme the Denver. Broncos ran under Mike Shanahan and that means Graham will he lining up all over the field. He could be in line, in the slot, out wide or part of a trips formation. He’s a big target for Rodgers and while his skill set may not be what it once was, defenses will still need to account for him and a healthy Rodgers should benefit the veteran tight end.
You can read more on Graham’s 2019 season outlook plus a young marketing genius catches the eyes of law enforcement in today’s cheese curds.
Countdown to Camp: Jimmy Graham’s return provides options at tight end—Packers.com
The tight end position is arguably in the best shape in years with Graham plus Marcedes Lewis, Robert Tonyan and rookie Jace Sternberger but make no mistake that Graham is TE1 and could be in for a comeback season under LaFleur.
We here at APC are big fans of revenge games and a Preston Smith Revenge Game against Washington would be a great story.
NFL Shop selling ‘inverted’ Green Bay Packers jersey—Packers Wire
Anyone else think this should be the team’s third jersey? Throwbacks are cool especially for a history rich team like the Packers but this just looks too good not to see the field.
Randy Moss helping train a Green Bay Packers receiver—The Viking Age
Bitter Vikings fans are bitter that Randy Moss has spent time mentoring Marquez Valdes-Scantling. If MVS has the breakout season many think he could, would that change Packers fans’ perception of the hall of fame WR? Doubtful.
Kid selling ‘ICE COLD BEER’ gets police attention—FOX 11
Glad the cops got to the root of the problem and didn’t punish the kid who likely has a future in marketing.