In 2011, JG had 99 receptions for just over 1,300 yards and 11 TDs.
In 2000, TG had 93 receptions for 1,203 yards and 9 TDs.
In 2004, TG had 102 receptions for 1,258 yards and 7 TDs.
In 2007, TG had 99 receptions for 1,172 yards and 5 TDs.
Jimmy Graham's QB? Drew Brees
Tony Gonzalez's QBs? Elvis Grbac, Trent Green and Brodie Croyle
And you had to pull up 17 years worth of data to come up with those 3 seasons from TG.
And if you notice none of those seasons are as good as JG's 2011 or 2013.
And you have 17 seasons worth of data to pull up vs just 3 for JG.
fair enough, doesn't have a lot to do with what I'm saying either way. A bad example at worst...
I'm not trying to say Graham is better than Gonzo or Gates either really, just saying he is 1 of the best TEs ever in skill/impact as well as the 2nd best TE in the NFL right now by far.
Not like I'm trying to put guys in the HOF after 5 years, just saying how I would assess his value to the Saints, Brees, of TEs I've seen etc
Well, to be fair to TG, he did have seasons that approached what JG did in 2011 and he was also thrown the ball by a bunch of bumbling idiots which makes it all the more impressive considering the kind of offense KC had back then.
JG is being thrown the ball in a wide open offense, in a dome and by one of the greatest QBs of all time.
Just some things to consider.
???
You said Jimmy Graham is one of the greatest TE's in NFL history? Did you not say that?
If he were, he'd be a sure fire HOF inductee right now even if he never played another down which isn't the case. If it's not the case, how can he be one of the greatest ever?
This is like saying Luke Kuechly is one of the greatest LBs in NFL history.
This is gonna be hard to explain but I'll try...
I am basing it on his impact/value on the game, for the tight end position I value him as high as many of the best to ever play the position in terms of his value, impact, talent. As I'm sure many defensive coordinators who have been around the NFL over the last 20 years do.
So when I am talking about Drew Brees and citing the talent around him and I say "Jimmy Graham is 1 of the best TEs ever" it is in that context.
If you just valued players based on resume when trying to analyze sports, most of your opinions would be of the trailing variety. If I said on his way to being 1 of the best TEs ever would that suffice for you? Either way the point as it relates to Drew Brees is largely the same.
That is pretty much it..
If I told you Kevin Durant is a better scorer than Ray Allen, would you say he doesn't have his resume, championships, longevity? No you would say yeah Kevin Durant is 1 of the best scorers to ever play the game then follow it by if he can keep it up, stay healthy, etc
People have been calling Manning and Brady 2 of the best QBs ever since like 2005 and they had tons of career ahead of them when that was being said.
I don't follow baseball too closely but you can't really project how guys careers will go with as much certainty there. Guys just falloff fast, stop doing roids or get hurt and fall back to the pack.
People have been calling Manning and Brady 2 of the best QBs ever since like 2005 and they had tons of career ahead of them when that was being said.
I don't follow baseball too closely but you can't really project how guys careers will go with as much certainty there. Guys just falloff fast, stop doing roids or get hurt and fall back to the pack.
This has nothing to do with what we're talking about.
You said Jimmy Graham (in only his 4th season with only 1 pro bowl under his belt) is one of the greatest TE's in NFL history followed up by but, he's not a HOF player yet.
I wouldn't call Durant one of the greatest NBA players ever. Someday yes, not now.
In 2005, Tom Brady had played four total years. If in 2005 you were to tell me Brady was one of the greatest QBs ever, I'd say you're full of shit just like I'm saying about Graham. Longevity.
