In Spite of the Win, Seattle Seahawks Still Failing with Jimmy Graham

By Curt Popejoy | Oct 7, 2015

It’s tough to get too down on a team when they pull out a close victory against a conference rival, but the Seattle Seahawks had to walk away from their 13-10 win over the hapless Detroit Lions with some legitimate concerns. One of the top concerns centers on the use (or lack thereof) of star tight end Jimmy Graham.

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Remember that the Seahawks paid a pretty penny to bring in Graham over the offseason. Seattle sent starting center Max Unger and their 2015 first-round draft pick to the Saints to have Graham on the roster. A pick that the Saints then used to draft linebacker Stephone Anthony. The intention was that Graham would give Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson that elite target that he had been lacking. Not that he seemed to have needed one prior to this season, but you can never have too many great players.

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Coincidentally, the Seahawks also spent a third-round pick in 2015 on speedy wide receiver Tyler Lockett. He, along with Graham would form a thunder and lightning duo in the passing game. It would also give Wilson two more targets in the passing game that were actually drafted than he had in his last Super Bowl appearance.

The problem with Graham to this point has been that his adjustment has been slow, and with that his targets and catches haven’t been what was expected. Through four games, Graham has only 23 targets and 18 receptions. By comparison, in 2014 through the first four games, he had 32 receptions and was targeted 41 times.

Over the course of the 2014 season, Graham was targeted 7.75 times per game with 13 starts. Right now, Graham is on pace to be targeted fewer than six times per game. Keeping in mind that Graham only started 13 games last season.

However, the problems with Graham and Wilson not being on the same page extends beyond statistics. In reviewing the Monday night game, the problem appears to be more systemic.

It’s important to recognize the offense that Graham came from. In New Orleans, the passing game was predicated on quick reads and throws. Graham has been a rapport with quarterback Drew Brees, and in many cases, throws to Graham were in the air before he was out of his break. Graham knew when it was coming and where the ball would be. This game him a decided edge on defenders.

In Seattle, passing plays are slower-developing, and often somewhat improvised. Obviously a part of this is due to the poor play of the Seattle offensive line, but all these plays where Wilson extends plays with his feet, you can see that Graham is not accustomed to that. When you watch the wide views on replay, Graham is often caught flat-footed, just waiting for something to happen, when Wilson breaks contain.

Sep 27, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) catches a pass as he is run off the field by Chicago Bears safety Antrel Rolle (26) during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

What can the Seattle coaches do? Well, until the offensive line gets things in order, not a ton. Graham is being asked to stay in and block more often than he’s accustomed, and just the volume of run blocking he’s doing at this point is out of the norm for him. However, that doesn’t mean Seattle cannot create some sets and concepts that will get the ball out quickly to Graham and let him make a play.

When Graham excels is in the seams. Spreading out the opposing defense and working those voids in zone defenses between the linebackers and the secondary is where Seattle can punish defenses. And every opportunity to get he and Wilson into a rhythm is a bonus.

On the surface, it might look like Seattle is doing a disservice to Graham, but he needs to make a greater effort to be part of this new offensive system too.

Regardless of how they do it, at 2-2 it is time for the Seahawks to find a way to get their best skills player more involved in the offense. Graham saw almost eight targets a game on a loaded passing offense, he should see double-digit targets every game.

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