Quote:
|
Originally Posted by browna
Comment on the Graham signing for Seattle. The TE is key for a guy like Wilson, which is why Z Miller was a big loss. Having that safety valve, and a big body and target, he'll get a lot of throws from Wilson. Should be interesting dynamic, Graham and Irving/Bennett talked public trash 2 years ago in the playoffs. And, hopefully Graham regains some of the form he had before; sounds as if he's gotten a bit softer the last few years.
Losing Unger is not without it's major issues. After also losing James Carpenter, a O line that was not much above average, has sunk below that for the time being. For run blocking they were better than pass protection (and having a guy like Lynch run through the holes makes you look better as well), but that's now a key area that I assume will be addressed in the draft. Unger was the best of that lot for the most part and a PB'er, though his injury last year didn't have things fall apart. Still a hit of a solid player lost will have to be addressed.
|
Nice assessment on Unger. And I wouldn't say Graham's getting softer as much as his body seems to be getting run down a bit. There's reportedly been talk prior to the trade that Saints management is concerned about the long-term health of Graham's shoulder. He fought through a nagging injury all year, and late 2013 as well. Will be interesting to see how he operates in a much more run blocking scheme in Seattle.
Still though, that's a major get for Seattle, I'm still shocked that trade happened. If he can get over that shoulder, it doesn't need explaining what he brings to an offence. Dude plays with a major chip on his shoulder (Shockey really rubbed off on him in his rookie season methinks, especially both being Canes), and is basically uncoverable in the endzone. The best pure receiving TE in the league.
I like how the Saints are focusing more on the OL with the Unger pick-up, I've never seen Brees run for his life more than last year, which was a big reason for the O's regression last year. They had survived for years by allowing their C's to leave via FA and simply replacing them in house, which finally backfired last season (Goodwin in 14 was a shadow of the 09 Goodwin when NO won the SB).
Seems like NO is undergoing a philosophical change on O a bit, with what looks like a renewed priority to the run game (they're hosting Spiller even after re-signing Ingram). Gonna be a very interesting season for the Saints next year.
Posted from Calgarypuck.com App for Android