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It’s always sad when one of the best to ever do it hits the wall and slips into decline.
It’s even more sad when your team pays said player for his past production in hopes he can rediscover that success and then promptly doesn’t.
That is the scenario for the Green Bay Packers and tight end Jimmy Graham. Graham was general manager Brian Gutekunst’s first big free agent signing in 2018 and the Packers hoped he’d put up the numbers he had with the New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback.
Fast forward to now and it’s never happened. Graham hasn’t been the downfield or red zone threat the Packers had envisioned in both Mike McCarthy and now Matt LaFleur’s offense. Throw in his pass protection woes and the time has come to turn the page.
Enter Robert Tonyan.
The Packers of course still have Marcedes Lewis but he’s nowhere near the receiving threat Tonyan is. Tonyan has said in the past he wants to catch like Graham (of the past not present I’d wager) and block like Lewis. He’s shown flashes of chemistry with Rodgers and would have had a touchdown had he not, at least judging by the tape, let off just a bit on his route against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
With Jace Sternberger unavailable for at the very least five more weeks, Green Bay would be wise to work Tonyan in as TE1 more and let Graham nearly be a red zone exclusive player. It’s clearly not working out for the veteran right now and Tonyan can give LaFleur so many more options.
There’s more on Tonyan Time plus how Blake Martinez has excelled as the defensive quarterback in today’s cheese curds.
It’s time for the Packers to turn to Robert Tonyan at TE—Packers Wire
Big Bob is ready for his big moment. It’s up to LaFleur to give him the chance to have it.
Matt LaFleur wants Packers to ‘not think too much’ during short week—PackersNews.com
Short weeks can lead to physical and mental burnout so the coaching staff is focusing on minimizing the former to maximize the latter.
Blake Martinez excelling as Packers’ ‘field general’ on defense—Packers.com
Martinez took over as the quarterback of the defense from A.J. Hawk in both position and in number (50). As solid as Hawk was, it isn’t difficult to argue that Martinez has been better.
Melvin Gordon returning to Chargers on Thursday—Pro Football Talk
The last big holdout of the 2019 season will end today with Melvin Gordon reporting to Chargers training camp.
Brewers clinch playoff spot—WISN
Also congrats to the Milwaukee Brewers and their fans for clinching a second straight postseason berth. Hopefully the Packers can hold up their end of the bargain and make it 3-for-3 Wisconsin teams to make the postseason. What a time to be a cheesehead!