OT: A typical Daniel Graham season

[JoeSixPat]

I've checked in periodically on how Daniel Graham's season's been going - I was actually pulling for him to do well in his hometown, but alas for Bronco fans, its another 20 odd pass catch, 10 yard a catch average, 2 TD season (ending with another injury).

I always felt that what we saw in NE was typical of what he had to offer. A great blocker but not the complete pass catching TE we thought we were drafting in the 1st round.

Many disagreed with me - some around here but most notably Dan Graham himself and Mike Shanahan who gave him $6 million a year on average with the intention of showcasing him as a pass catcher.

Then when that wasn't panning out Shanaham did his best to rewrite history and say that he was paying $6 million for just a blocking TE and didn't expect Graham to catch many passes.

The linked article here is a good read - noting Graham's soft grumbling in Denver that he's STILL not being used right.

http://www.myfoxcolorado.com/myfox/...n=5&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=6.2.1

I still hope it works out for him -with the exception of games against the Patriots. But I suspect that two very good coaches have determined that Graham is what he is - an excellent blocker and below average receiver.

One coach used a first round pick on him, the other paid $15 mil in advance and according the article might ask him to restructure his contract.

I'd just hope Graham is smart and doesn't become too beligerent as the Broncos have generously given him a nice nest egg in return for two touchdowns and 240 yards this season.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

So Denvah is POed about a season's #s that reflect his previous 2 seasons with HOF Brady as his QB?

2002 15/ 150y 1TD

2003 38/409y 4TD * best season

2004 30/364y 7TD

2005 16/235y 3TD * 2nd most recent season before FA

2006 21/235y 2TD * most recent season before FA

*2007 23/244y 2TD (*after 13 games & now injured...again)


They got what they got. I loved the comments about how Cutler doesn't have 'chemistry' with Graham. Yet another prima who forsook playing with Brady for big bucks and is now mystified that he hasn't lit the world on fire. Remind you of The Twig?

EDIT: Calling Graham a prima is not justified

 

[Metaphors]

In the last game against the Bolts he showed close to no effort on pass blocking and almost got Cutler killed. Literally, he barely touched Phillips (I think?) as he went by and crushed Cutler. Looks like he is not a happy camper in Denver.

 

[JoeSixPat]

In the last game against the Bolts he showed close to no effort on pass blocking and almost got Cutler killed. Literally, he barely touched Phillips (I think?) as he went by and crushed Cutler. Looks like he is not a happy camper in Denver.

As that article notes, there's some indication he thinks Cutler isn't looking to him. Leaving Cutler vulnerable might not have been an accident.

I was willing to see the Pats give him $2.5 to $3 million a season. That's what I think a very good blocking TE is worth. I'm very glad BB paid no attention to local fans clammoring to come closer to the Broncos offer. I think the Pats offer of $4 million a season was even too much.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

In the last game against the Bolts he showed close to no effort on pass blocking and almost got Cutler killed. Literally, he barely touched Phillips (I think?) as he went by and crushed Cutler. Looks like he is not a happy camper in Denver.

Dunno. Some guys may like having an early January start on the golf circuit.

 

[IndianPat]

I quite liked Daniel Graham when he played for us. Solid blocker and caught passes very well in the middle of the field. It was obvious he was going to seek greener pastures elsewhere (both in terms of money and showcasing his catching skills) when he is supposed to have said privately (in reaction to Pats miserly habits) - "I will give them one chance to sign me. After that, I am gone". He might be unhappy in Denver, but its good to be Dan Graham - he has got his rings, his money and he is hanging out with his family and friends.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Right.
It was the right decision for him to go back home to Denver.
That being said, it also has its downside.

 

[LloydBraun]

Reason # 8 million and 1 why this team is consistently at or near the top of the league and will remain there as long as Brady is healthy and playing:

They pay top dollar to those deserving, and move on from those players not deserving.

Kyle Brady does Graham's old role even better than Graham.

We lose Branch, Seattle gives him huge $$$... hello Moss, Welker, Stallworth, Gaffney.

Buh-bye Corey, hello Sammy.

While all the time paying the deserving guys: Brady, Big Sey, Thomas, Koppen, Ty, etc.

 

[Brooklyn Nick]

I remember in pre season their offensive coordinator said Graham would catch 60 balls in their offense this year. I figured they wanted to get him more involved and in turn overrated him in fantasy, and got burned

 

[Disco Volante]

Never once questioned getting rid of him.

 

[Ichiro]

15 mil guaranteed? That's a lot to pay a blocking TE. Broncos should have paid some defensive lineman

I wish one of our precious 1st round tightends would have developed into a Todd Heap or Alge Crumpler-level player (not the best, but very good). Imagine what that kind of player would do in this offense! It doesn't look like Ben Watson will ever develop the hands or route-running abilities to reach elite status. I'm still holding out hope for Dave Thomas.

 

[Fencer]

Dunno. Some guys may like having an early January start on the golf circuit.

I think he proved in New England he's not one of those.

 

[Fencer]

What I found interesting was the part of the article that said multiple players feel Shanny doesn't listen to them.

Pretty much the opposite of BB there.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I think he proved in New England he's not one of those.

He left a team that was well positioned to succeed in the playoffs for serious money, to return to his college haunts and to catch lots more passes than in NE. If he really cared about NOT playing golf in January, most any analysis would say, play for BB and have Brady throw to you rather than 2nd year unproven and found wanting Cutler.

Once again, he probably made the right choice for his family but as I'd said previously it has its downsides...golf right after New Years is one.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

I quite liked Daniel Graham when he played for us. Solid blocker and caught passes very well in the middle of the field. It was obvious he was going to seek greener pastures elsewhere (both in terms of money and showcasing his catching skills) when he is supposed to have said privately (in reaction to Pats miserly habits) - "I will give them one chance to sign me. After that, I am gone". He might be unhappy in Denver, but its good to be Dan Graham - he has got his rings, his money and he is hanging out with his family and friends.

Solid blocker, 50% catcher with concentration issues, injury prone.

Was useful in our system, not worth the money in Denver.

I would have liked to have kept him for reasonable money, and I would have not used him any differently than we did. But he really feels liberated up there in the mile high clouds. Like a hometown guy.

 

[Deus Irae]

He was the best tight end on the Patriots. If he was somehow signed today, he'd still be the best tight end on the Patriots. The rest of this is just nonsense and justification. He's in Denver now. People need to just let it die.

 

[JoeSixPat]

He was the best tight end on the Patriots. If he was somehow signed today, he'd still be the best tight end on the Patriots.

Wow - that's slightly... what's the word? Oh, yes - delusional.

You, and Daniel Graham are certainly in agreement. Shanahan was with you for awhile, but I think he might have left the fan club this year - though he's still out his $20 million membership fee counting salary.

 

[Deus Irae]

Wow - that's slightly... what's the word? Oh, yes - delusional.

You, and Daniel Graham are certainly in agreement. Shanahan was with you for awhile, but I think he might have left the fan club this year - though he's still out his $20 million membership fee counting salary.

Please..... There's a reason Graham got that contract, and it's not because Watson was considered a better tight end. I like Watson, but his blocking isn't in the same country, nevermind the same league, as Graham's. Take a gander at the drop in Cutler's sack percentage despite the loss of the team's #1 receiver, the absence of the team's #1 running back for weeks, a new starting center, a new starting left guard and a new starting right guard. But you feel free to keep badmouthing a former Patriot who was a team captain last season. Just ignore the realities and you'll look pretty good doing so.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

Please..... There's a reason Graham got that contract, and it's not because Watson was considered a better tight end. I like Watson, but his blocking isn't in the same country, nevermind the same league, as Graham's.

But Kyle's blocking is.

Meanwhile, Watson is going to be a better skill player.

I guess you and Belichick just don't see eye to eye on this issue. Hmmmmm....

 

[KoolAidDrinker]

Kyle Brady does Graham's old role even better than Graham.

We lose Branch, Seattle gives him huge $$$... hello Moss, Welker, Stallworth, Gaffney.

Buh-bye Corey, hello Sammy.

While all the time paying the deserving guys: Brady, Big Sey, Thomas, Koppen, Ty, etc.

I couldn;t agree more!

Player personnel, player value, player evaluation, contract negotiation.

Nobody does it better in the salary cap era than NE!