Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Revell may have wide receiver-masquerading-as-a-tight end Jimmy Graham in his "thoughts" as he drifts off to sleep at night, but it seems almost certain that there are larger issues at work where Graham's limited production this NFL season is concerned. As Albert Breer of NFL.com notes, Graham's current output puts him on pace for 72 receptions, 696 yards and eight touchdowns this season, which is nothing to scoff at. But it's also not close to Graham's lofty standards or the expectations of fans. What's keeping Graham from truly breaking out?
The questionable Seattle offensive line? Quarterback Russell Wilson too-often relying on himself? Wilson targeting wide receivers over his elite tight end?
"Their offensive mindset isn't to build a plan around a pass catcher," an NFC pro scouting director told Breer. "That offense is built around Marshawn [Lynch] and [Russell Wilson's] ability to extend play and hit big shots down the field. His contribution was supposed to be big in the red zone. They're 29th in red-zone efficiency."
With Lynch ailing - he's been ruled out again this week - and the team relying on several former defenders-turned offensive linemen to shore up the leaky protection up front, it's not really surprising that the Seahawks have struggled to establish a deep passing attack. But again, there may be more to it than just execution.
"Based on how they play, having him is a luxury," a different NFC pro scouting director said, per Breer. "They're centered around the run game to set the table for everything else. They can get by with an average receiver group collectively due to the threat of run-action with the back and quarterback. So Graham most likely won't see more than five or six balls come his way in a typical game -- unless they change their identity."
Graham's blocking has improved, but per the first scouting director, only "marginally" so. And really, that's not why the Seahawks brought him onboard. Graham was and is an elite receiver - utilizing him in a manner other than as a pass-catcher is a waste, for player and for team.
Does this mean the Seahawks erred in adding him? Maybe, maybe not. It's only four weeks into a sixteen game season, so there's plenty of time left for Graham to breakout and put together the kind of impact year fans were hoping to see out of the athletic marvel.
Or - and this seems likeliest from this vantage - maybe Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll doesn't care about Graham's weekly stats. Yes, it would be good if Graham got "going," but as long as the Seahawks manage to win each weekend, little else really matters.
Graham doesn't need 100 catches or 1,000 yards for Seattle to win. He needs to do his job on a play-by-play basis, whether as the No. 1 read, the No. 4 read, as a blocker, as a decoy, and contribute when the opportunity arises.
Because, really, this team belongs to Wilson and it belongs to the running game and it belongs to the defense. And that's not going to change anytime soon.
