This from the Boston Globe fan mailbag... Q: New England's big free agent is now tight end Daniel Graham. My question is how active do you think the market will be for Graham's services? We all know he is a tremendous blocker but this has rarely translated into money for players in the past. Unfortunately, we also know he has a tendency to get injured and miss some easy balls in the passing game. With Graham NEVER having played a full season since he was drafted and with pass reception totals at 21 and 16, respectively, over the last two years, how much do you believe he will demand on the open market? A: I believe the market for Graham will be intense, and project him to be on a plane somewhere on the day free agency begins assuming there is no last-minute deal with the Patriots. I watched more tape of games this year than I have in the past and appreciated what Graham did on a game by game basis, both blocking-wise and as a pass-catcher. I'm also of the belief he could have done more in the passing game had there been more opportunities. So while I agree that he had some drops earlier in his career, and has had some injury problems, I believe the fact he's a complete tight end who can play on all three downs will create a solid marketplace for him. He's also known to be a solid presence in the locker room.
I, for one, like Baker. I always have. But this guy sounds like he could help this team out and depth at TE is a good thing. Thanks for the info, GSourJr. Good stuff.
Graham is DENVER can be a tough act to beat. If CUTLER comes through as predicted, this TE will have a great impact on that team! I love him for our team though.
Is Graham any better than Baker? Baker when asked has performed but not been asked enough IMO. I would like to see Baker used split wide as Indy and the Pats sometimes do. I really don't think that TE is as desperate a position to be filled as some are making out.
I'd like to see him a Jet, based on the fact that we haven't had a tightend who could block as decent as he could catch since Micky Shuler. Baker is a good receiver, Sean Ryan is a good blocker, Anthony Becht was a good blocker. We need to combine all these things together and I think Graham can do that.
I think Baker definitely has the better hands(although we rarely ask him to use them) but graham is the better blocker
What chances do we have of picking him up? And what type of money will he get? Anyone??? Thanks. :up:
Not sure of our chances, but they may be better than others with the Mangini connection. Read in today's Philly Inquirer review of the FA class that Graham is a nasty, physical blocker. The more I read, the more I'd like to see him come our way...with Kearney, Thomas, and Steinbach. And Turner. Hey, ticket prices just went up, let's see the money put into the team.
I am. What nonsense, we have a perfectly good TE as good or better than Graham. It is not a position of need for us.
As has been said, the Jets running game has suffered since Becht left. His last year here, Curtis led the league in rushing. Ever since, we've been one of the worst rushing teams in the league. Sure, Ryan can block, but he's not a threat to catch the ball. Sure, Baker is a good receiver, but he can't block. You need a guy that can do both. That way, teams will be more in the dark as to whether you will run or pass on a given play. Guys like that are very hard to find, but when you do find one it can help your offense tremendously.
I blame that on a lot of other things more than losing Becht. Age, blowing up the Oline twice, injuries, etc.
I like Baker, always have. He's a guy that if he was on another team I would want the Jets to go after if he was a FA. The guy is an amazing receiver and an adequate blocker. Not many TE's could've made the 'catch' at the end of the game where he clearly would've come down in bounds and ruled out.
