Graham Felt Underused - New England Patriots Forums

signbabybrady · 03-04-2007, 10:58 PM

http://news.bostonherald.com/blogs/patriots/

March 4th, 2007
Graham felt underused
Posted by John Tomase at 11:25 pm

Interesting story in yesterday’s Rocky Mountain News by Lee Rasizer, who caught up with Patriots tight end Daniel Graham.

Graham, not surprisingly, feels like the Patriots pigeon-holed him as a blocker who couldn’t catch, a characterization Graham disputes.

“My biggest concern going into the market is how teams are going to use me,” Graham admitted. “I feel like all of my talents weren’t being used up in New England. I wanted to catch more balls than I did up there. So I’m exploring which teams are going to give me an opportunity to do that.”

Graham shuts the door on a return to the Patriots in the story as well. It’s worth a read.

***DaBruinz*** · 03-04-2007, 11:01 PM

Well, i am not sure I'd say that Graham was UNDER-USED. On the contrary, I think that Graham was OVER-USED as a blocker because the OTs we had in Ashworth and Gorin were barely adequate.

When a team is having to constantly use 4 OTs year in and year out, there is no consistency. With no consistency, you have to have help for the OTs and that is what Graham was asked to do.

I don't blame Graham for leaving and not wanting to be here, especially when the injury concerns at RT continue to be an issue.

Crazy Patriot Guy · 03-04-2007, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by signbabybrady

http://news.bostonherald.com/blogs/patriots/

March 4th, 2007
Graham felt underused
Posted by John Tomase at 11:25 pm

Interesting story in yesterday’s Rocky Mountain News by Lee Rasizer, who caught up with Patriots tight end Daniel Graham.

Graham, not surprisingly, feels like the Patriots pigeon-holed him as a blocker who couldn’t catch, a characterization Graham disputes.

“My biggest concern going into the market is how teams are going to use me,” Graham admitted. “I feel like all of my talents weren’t being used up in New England. I wanted to catch more balls than I did up there. So I’m exploring which teams are going to give me an opportunity to do that.”

Graham shuts the door on a return to the Patriots in the story as well. It’s worth a read.

I don't see where Graham says he was labeled a blocker who couldn't catch by the Patriots, I think Tomase is putting words in his mouth. All Graham is saying is that he was asked to block more than he would have liked. The Patriots did this because of his incredible blocking skills, not because they feared his receving abilities.

hwc · 03-04-2007, 11:15 PM

If Graham were consistently getting open, don't you think Tom Brady would have thrown the ball at him more often?

I actually think that one of the big disappointments with the offense this year was how infrequently a TE caught a little dump pass in traffic, ala Ben Coates. Considering that we were starting two 1st round picks at TE, we really didn't get much production in the passing game.

***Terry Glenn is a cowgirl*** · 03-04-2007, 11:22 PM

2 a point, I can agree with him...

signbabybrady · 03-04-2007, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwc

If Graham were consistently getting open, don't you think Tom Brady would have thrown the ball at him more often?

I actually think that one of the big disappointments with the offense this year was how infrequently a TE caught a little dump pass in traffic, ala Ben Coates. Considering that we were starting two 1st round picks at TE, we really didn't get much production in the passing game.

Ben Coates is probably the best TE in Pats history and was one of the best in the league for a couple of years, so while I hope Watson could unseat him to say big dissapointment because he or graham are not that good might be overstating it.

***fgssand*** · 03-04-2007, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwc

If Graham were consistently getting open, don't you think Tom Brady would have thrown the ball at him more often?

I actually think that one of the big disappointments with the offense this year was how infrequently a TE caught a little dump pass in traffic, ala Ben Coates. Considering that we were starting two 1st round picks at TE, we really didn't get much production in the passing game.

We will still be able to start two #1 draft choices at TE!!

PATRIOT64 · 03-04-2007, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by signbabybrady

Ben Coates is probably the best TE in Pats history and was one of the best in the league for a couple of years, so while I hope Watson could unseat him to say big dissapointment because he or graham are not that good might be overstating it.

You probably never saw Russ Francis play...He was pretty darn good too!

Fencer · 03-04-2007, 11:25 PM

He's marketing himself. Nobody should blame him for saying those things.

***BelichickFan*** · 03-04-2007, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwc

If Graham were consistently getting open, don't you think Tom Brady would have thrown the ball at him more often?

I actually think that one of the big disappointments with the offense this year was how infrequently a TE caught a little dump pass in traffic, ala Ben Coates. Considering that we were starting two 1st round picks at TE, we really didn't get much production in the passing game.

As much as Bledsoe loved to throw to the TE, Brady doesn't seem to.

Graham can say whatever he wants, the goal was to win; if the coaches thought his role, as it was, was best for helping the team win then it shouldn't have been a problem.