When I woke up from an afternoon nap and saw that the Seattle Seahawks had acquiredJimmy Graham, a roller-coaster of emotions ensued.
THE SEHAWKS GOT JIMMY GRAHAM?! OH MY GOODNESS! HAND US THE LOMBARDI TROPHY!
Wait, we gave upMax Ungerand a first round pick? Dang, that’s a lot to give up, especially for a team with an already below-average offensive line.
This begs the question, was the trade worth it for the Seahawks?
Seattle’s offensive line was not good last year by any standard.Russell Wilsonis a quarterback who is great outside the pocket and fantastic at improvising when a play breaks down. But in order for him to be successful, he needs to have time in the pocket. At 5’10”, over the middle is the one area of the field that Russell struggles to throw to, because he doesn’t have passing lanes to see through. The problem is exascerbated by poor offensive line play. The longer the offensive line can hold back the pass rush, the more spread out they will become and the more passing lanes Russell will have to throw the ball though. At his size, Russell Wilson needs good offensive line play to be successful from inside the pocket.
After losing Unger, who was a first team All-Pro in 2012, as well as starting left guardJames Carpenter, the Seahawks already struggling O-line now becomes among the league’s worst. GuardAlvin Baileyand centerPatrick Lewiswould be the assumed next men up, joining 2nd year right tackleJustin Britt, DT convertJ.R. Sweezyand the talented, but oft-injured and penalty-proneRussell Okung.
However, there is something else that helps a QB see over the middle.
A 6’7″ tight end.
Jimmy Graham will make Russell Wilson a very happy quarterback. If it was Graham running that slant, do you thinkMalcolm Butlerwould have been able to get around him and get anywhere near the football? The correct answer, is no. Absolutely not. Not even close.
One of the biggest problems with Seattle’s current receivers is there isn’t a player that creates a lot of separation besidesDoug Baldwinon underneath routes. The awesome thing about Graham, is that if you have an accurate QB, he is always open. With his size, an accurate throw can make him open.
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As NFL.com writer Dan Hanzus pointed out, this move could do for Russell Wilson what acquiringRandy Mossdid forTom Brady: turn him from an ultra-efficient quarterback with a great defense, into a 4,000 yard passer and the star of the show.
If you are 25 years old or less (like me), the Seahawks’ just acquired the most talented weapon in the passing game that they have had in your entire lifetime; all due respect toBrian Blades,Joey Galloway,Bobby Engramand all the other top options in the passing game sinceSteve Largent.
I firmly believe thatMarshawn Lynchwill remain one of the NFL’s best runningbacks for the entirety of his three remaining years under contract in Seattle. However, the time will eventually come when he does begin to decline. And in order for the Seahawks’ offense to be succesful post-Marshawn Lynch, a weapon like Jimmy Graham is an absolute necessity.
The Seahawks will not be able to find another center as good as Max Unger. However, they will be able to find someone close. Jimmy Graham is such a dangerous weapon and unique talent, that this trade was too good to pass up, despite the cost.
Next: 2015 Seattle Mariners: Five Bold Predictions
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