2014 NFL off-season thread

I'd probably do it for Gordon just because of his baggage, but your point is a fair one.

 

Plus, he does not really block.

I know it's biased, but I cannot think of many tight ends ever who would have done better in the Steeler system than Heath Miller. Miller will never make the HOF but if you put together any Steeler All Time team, he's the tight end, and it's the easiest choice you will make.

Shit, I think Gronk is a hell of a lot better than Graham. You can shut Graham down because of the lack of strength. Gronk is a beast. A healthy Gronk I would trade for a few, not all, of the people I listed up there.

 

Trouble is, Gronk, whom I love watching, is not ever going to stay healthy because of the toll taken by the playing style I admire so much.

 

But not a relevant one. This is about the rule as it is written.

 

So, did you oppose Shannon Sharpe as a Hall of Famer at tight end? Was his role really any different from Graham's?

The comparison to Miller is silly. The Steelers have never been flexible enough to properly use a guy like Graham or Sharpe. That is why they cut Brent Jones in preseason even though they desperately needed a tight end. Graham doesn't fit the Steelers' system, but he is a much better player than Miller.

 

Yeah, but what is a person lining up in the slot? I assume the Saints will be able to provide plenty of evidence that that can be a running back or a tight end, including a tight end who starts tight and then motions out wider, and that the "wide receiver" position means the two guys widest to the outside.

I don't know if that will work, but the possibility should be enough to motivate Graham's people to split the difference maybe a little more toward their side. Of course they will probably want to do that anyway since a long-term deal will guarantee him upwards of $20M and insulate him in the event of injury (something I'm sure Gronk is very happy he did).

 

The Saints have a history of dragging out negotiations like this. They did the same thing with Brees.

Jimmy Graham is either the best or second-best TE in the NFL. Pay him as such. The going rate for that is $9-$10 million a year.

 

No, I just don't think Graham is as valuable because he can only do a couple things on the football field. Granted, he does those very well, but a player like Sharp, Gronk or Gonzalez were all much bigger and stronger than Graham.

Shit, I just looked at his combine weight, and Graham weighed in at 260. Gronk was only four pounds heavier. I just never saw Graham as a physical presence on the field. In space, he's great, but he just seems to play much lighter than 260. I would have guessed he was 30 pounds lighter than Gronk and 20 pounds lighter than Gonzalez.

 

Shannon Sharpe, whose listed playing height and weight were 6-foot-2, 228 pounds, was bigger and stronger than Graham? Posting without thinking again?

You really do make it easy.

 

You need to watch more football other than the Steelers. The next time Graham looks for contact of the football field will be the first.

I doubt too many defensive coordinators are worried week to week about the great job Graham does seal blocking the edge on his side of the ball.

Just because he is big, it does not mean he plays strong.

 

On two quarterback notes. With PFM cleared to come back, I cannot wait to watch the 2014 Broncos turn into the 2010 Vikings.

Kaepernick and the headline that he is an $18 million/year quarterback. Woo-boy... I maintain that he may be the most difficult QB to prepare for. Yet those three turnovers in the last 11 minutes in Seattle in the NFC Title Game would scare the hell out of me if I'm writing the check. Once Kaepernick can hit that second read on a progression, he'll be worth the money.

 

The delusional fanboy who thinks Heath Miller is better than Graham says I need to watch more football? Comedy.