Will this offense be better without Jimmy Graham?

I'm sorry for another Graham thread, but the others don't really relate to the question I asked in the title.

This isn't about replacing him during his injury.

For as bad as it sucks that he got seriously hurt, I've tried to find a silver lining. It seems to me that there has been pressure on Russell all season to get the ball to No. 88, and at times I think that has been a big detriment to the offense. I'm not at all saying that Graham hurt us, but it does make me wonder if Russell will feel like he can relax a bit. He loves to spread the ball around, and having a guy out that demands eight to 10 targets a game might make him hesitate at times. I feel bad for saying that, because when utilized correctly Graham makes this offense much better. His production won't be replaced, it will just have to be redistributed.

Doug Baldwin is a very good receiver and his targets should go up. He has a great rapport with Russell. For as much crap as Kearse gets on this board, he had a big game today and Russell looks his way often. I think Luke Willson is a very capable replacement during the absence of Graham. I now believe that Tyler Lockett will become an integral part of the passing game, and that's exciting.

I don't know. I'm just spitballing here, and perhaps trying to make myself feel better.

Get well soon, Jimmy.

it's getting better because the o-line is getting its groove.

But it won't be as good as it can be without Graham. He is a fabulous player who was having a really good year.

We won a Super bowl without Harvin and Graham and got to them without him, I am more worried about not having Lynch and the toughness he brings to the offense. No offence to Rawls but he has to earn that yet. I think we involve more players now, just like after we moved Harvin, the ball will be spread around a lot more, we will be less predictable. But the last two weeks Graham was becoming involved and not a expensive decoration.

Yeah, I'm not at all saying we will be better. Just thinking out loud I guess.

Damn, this sucks. But I have to believe that the offense will absorb this and will have a great finish to the season.

Graham has been pretty clutch on third down for us. Why we can't seem to get him a red zone look I don't know but I don't think losing a player of his caliber is suddenly going to make us better.

Better? Probably not. Talent is talent.

But possibly more rhythm? Because not forcing plays to one player? Quite likely.

No way.

My opinion, we have to stop trying to hammer square pegs in round holes. Harvin and Graham caused us to step outside our strengths to force balls in the passing game when we aren't the Saints or Favre-led Packers. My immediate reaction was that we no longer have to worry about national reaction to his numbers. I don't think we're going from the 76 Bucs to the 99 Rams, but I think there will be a much clearer delineation of what we are trying to accomplish.

Maybe, but what I hate about losing Graham is that none of our WRs/TEs have the power to truck DBs/LBs like a Demaryus Thomas or the more dynamic, playmaking WRs. It is almost shocking to see Graham catching a ball in Seahawks blue and know he can power most of the defenders he plays against.

Kearse, Baldwin and Lockett can catch the ball but they are not going to usually push a defender or a couple a few yards to get a 1st down. Look at our defense tackling other teams WR and note they get them down but can be pushed for a few yards. Seahawks WRs don't do that.

I don't think this is a fair question as we were just getting better with him. Jimmy has been solid. We just finally tweeted the offense for him.
The other guys are solid when they can get open but Jimmy is was our 50/50 guy. Some one else has to jump up and be that guy.

We (hopefully) will look like the previous 2 years.

No of course not but I doubt we will regress a lot either. Luke Wilson is a capable replacement.

The offense was pretty effective with him yesterday. I think Luke will be OK, but he's no Jimmy Graham.

It will seem better because Russell already has established chemistry with the other guys, and the O-lIne is starting to get it's groove. But Jimmy is pro bowl talent and he was definitely contributing to the Hawks. Outside of the Arizona game, he has been excellent. Hell even in this game he was excellent. Some BIG catches.

I think the real question is will Russell be better when he can play what the defense is showing, not get a guy a touch? It isn't like we were using Graham well in the Red zone, or having him do things no other player can do.

We'll be just fine.

Scottemojo":2noy4j36 said:

Better? Probably not. Talent is talent.

But possibly more rhythm? Because not forcing plays to one player? Quite likely.

Click to expand...

This. You can't easily replace talent, but this offense seems to click better when we're getting the ball to numerous targets. IMO, more pressure is going to be on Russ with Lynch gone. Rawls has been awesome, and because of that teams will start to scheme for him like they did lynch. Yesterday showed that Russ can still carry the load if need be.

Dont overlook facts. Jimmy Graham draws much attention from the defense because he is a big receiving threat and often a mismatch. Game planning against the Seahawks just got easier without JG to worry about.
He was just beginning to click with Russ after early timing/chemistry issues that was compounded by struggling O line, inconsistent playcalling and adjusting to a run first offense.

Scottemojo":2xuleaap said:

Better? Probably not. Talent is talent.

But possibly more rhythm? Because not forcing plays to one player? Quite likely.

Click to expand...

Jimmy Graham converted two 3rd-and-10+'s yesterday. If that's forcing the ball, I'm not complaining.

Besides, what do you want Seattle to do? Rely on UDFA WR's the rest of Wilson's career because otherwise you have to feed them the ball?

MontanaHawk05":1d9a8qst said:

Scottemojo":1d9a8qst said:

Better? Probably not. Talent is talent.

But possibly more rhythm? Because not forcing plays to one player? Quite likely.

Click to expand...

Jimmy Graham converted two 3rd-and-10+'s yesterday. If that's forcing the ball, I'm not complaining.

Besides, what do you want Seattle to do? Rely on UDFA WR's the rest of Wilson's career because otherwise you have to feed them the ball?

Click to expand...

We don't force feed Lockett. Never force fed Tate, or Richardson.

We do seem to get all bent out of shape with the high profile FA weapons.