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Jimmy Graham says 'I have been trying to come home for a long time'
Posted on 7/29/23 at 12:53 pm
Posted on 7/29/23 at 12:53 pm
LINK
Jimmy Graham will be the first to admit that he’s an emotional football player, and it’s taken him a long time to get over the New Orleans Saints trading him away a decade ago — but now he’s returned, bringing his career full-circle. Graham spoke with local media after Saturday’s training camp practice, acknowledging that he hadn’t done any interviews in years because he didn’t have many positives to share.
That’s changed for the better. Graham is back in black and gold wearing the same No. 80 jersey that thousands of fans once wore proudly. It’s early, and he still has to earn a spot on the final roster. But that’s all part of a process Graham is now embracing.
“For me, I have been trying to come home for a long time,” Graham said in his opening statement. “You know, last year I had some conversations, and determined that I really didn’t want to play anywhere else. A couple of teams were reaching out, all teams that made the playoffs, I just couldn’t see myself wearing another jersey again. Hopefully if there was ever an opportunity to come back home, to make it happen here, and it did, and I’m here now.”
Graham says he spoke with his agent and made it clear that he wouldn’t play football again if wasn’t going to be with the Saints, intending to retire all along with the team that had drafted him. Contract disputes are behind him, and so is any bad blood from the trade that sent him away. His attention is focused on what’s in front of him: proving he’s a better option than his competition for the third roster spot at tight end behind Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau.
“I’m still 6-7 and I like the red zone,” Graham said matter-of-factly. When asked if he’d try his signature touchdown celebration so close to his 37th birthday in November, Graham chuckled, “I can still dunk brother. I think I will be able to dunk ’til I’m 50. Still no penalties, I’m still waiting on them to change that one.”
I really hope he's able to find a spot here.
Jimmy Graham will be the first to admit that he’s an emotional football player, and it’s taken him a long time to get over the New Orleans Saints trading him away a decade ago — but now he’s returned, bringing his career full-circle. Graham spoke with local media after Saturday’s training camp practice, acknowledging that he hadn’t done any interviews in years because he didn’t have many positives to share.
That’s changed for the better. Graham is back in black and gold wearing the same No. 80 jersey that thousands of fans once wore proudly. It’s early, and he still has to earn a spot on the final roster. But that’s all part of a process Graham is now embracing.
“For me, I have been trying to come home for a long time,” Graham said in his opening statement. “You know, last year I had some conversations, and determined that I really didn’t want to play anywhere else. A couple of teams were reaching out, all teams that made the playoffs, I just couldn’t see myself wearing another jersey again. Hopefully if there was ever an opportunity to come back home, to make it happen here, and it did, and I’m here now.”
Graham says he spoke with his agent and made it clear that he wouldn’t play football again if wasn’t going to be with the Saints, intending to retire all along with the team that had drafted him. Contract disputes are behind him, and so is any bad blood from the trade that sent him away. His attention is focused on what’s in front of him: proving he’s a better option than his competition for the third roster spot at tight end behind Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau.
“I’m still 6-7 and I like the red zone,” Graham said matter-of-factly. When asked if he’d try his signature touchdown celebration so close to his 37th birthday in November, Graham chuckled, “I can still dunk brother. I think I will be able to dunk ’til I’m 50. Still no penalties, I’m still waiting on them to change that one.”
I really hope he's able to find a spot here.
6
Posted on 7/29/23 at 1:04 pm to hellsu
Posted on 7/29/23 at 1:20 pm to LSUFreek
After all that was over 8 years ago and they brought him back so:
That's good enough for me.
quote:
disputes are behind him, and so is any bad blood
That's good enough for me.
Posted on 7/29/23 at 1:44 pm to hellsu
Can’t help but wonder what could have been if he has been on the team the entire time. Surely makes more positive plays than all the other yahoos we’ve had play TE since he left.
Posted on 7/29/23 at 2:36 pm to armytiger33
I do agree with the notion that he would have been better than what we had. I also believe that we waited a year or 2 to long to trade him. The offense became very predictable when he was here. Everyone knew the ball was getting forced to Graham.
Posted on 7/29/23 at 3:12 pm to Directional Tiger
quote:
The offense became very predictable when he was here. Everyone knew the ball was getting forced to Graham.
Why wouldn't we? Nobody could stop it.
Posted on 7/29/23 at 4:16 pm to hellsu
quote:
Jimmy Graham says 'I have been trying to come home for a long time'
Posted on 7/29/23 at 4:30 pm to hellsu
Much respect to Jimmy. 
Posted on 7/30/23 at 4:18 am to hellsu
Shouldn't have been trying to get paid like a WR and you could have been in the hall of fame buddy. Chased the cash and his career fell of a cliff. Anyone remember when he said he was only going to catch passes from Brees?
Posted on 7/30/23 at 4:25 am to Directional Tiger
So the Saints should have traded Graham because teams knew he was getting the ball? That is somehow Graham’s fault??
Drew and Sean became way over-reliant on Graham and Sproles in 13/14. That’s neither of those two players faults. It’s poor coaching and arrogance, period.
Drew and Sean became way over-reliant on Graham and Sproles in 13/14. That’s neither of those two players faults. It’s poor coaching and arrogance, period.
Posted on 7/30/23 at 8:17 am to uptowntiger84
quote:
Anyone remember when he said he was only going to catch passes from Brees?
Well we traded him
Posted on 7/30/23 at 8:21 am to LSUFreek
He knows he threw away a shot at the HoF by leaving NO and Brees while he was entering his prime. He probably had at least 5-6 more years of 1,000+ yards, 10+ TD seasons in him. Would have had well over 12,000 yards receiving and more than 110 TDs. Those are Antonio Gates type numbers.
Posted on 7/30/23 at 8:26 am to Shiftyplus1
quote:
He knows he threw away a shot at the HoF by leaving NO and Brees
How was it his choice to leave?
Posted on 7/30/23 at 10:00 am to jeff5891
quote:
How was it his choice to leave?
He may not have been the person that pulled the trigger, but lets not act like teams routinely trade HoF track talent without some fire behind that smoke.
Posted on 7/30/23 at 10:10 am to Deuce McWin
As I recall...J. Graham and his agent, made it abundantly clear that the contract DEMAND was for top wide receiver $...the Saints front office were obviously convinced that was the case and promptly structured a nice trade for themselves ! Graham acted like the ant 'driving' the log down the river...lol
Posted on 7/30/23 at 10:13 am to jeff5891
quote:
How was it his choice to leave?
By insisting he be classified and paid like a WR. He began to get worse at blocking not better as well.
As an aside Drew did him no favors the last couple of years by leaning on throwing it JG's way too much at times.
Posted on 7/30/23 at 11:20 am to goatmilker
I get both sides. It was a business move for both. It is shame the way it went down but it was business. Neither are innocent and neither carry the full blame.
This post was edited on 7/30/23 at 11:21 am
Posted on 7/30/23 at 11:46 am to hellsu
This is such a weird thing. He’s coming “home”? I’d get the move if this was five years ago and Brees was still here chasing one last ring. What’s home about the Saints to Jimmy now?
Posted on 7/30/23 at 12:26 pm to BigPerm30
quote:
This is such a weird thing. He’s coming “home”? I’d get the move if this was five years ago and Brees was still here chasing one last ring. What’s home about the Saints to Jimmy now?
Realistically I think home is maybe a chance at one more paycheck. He does still have some ties in the organization
so maybe they are giving him a chance. They claim he showed up in great shape and that he really wanted to finish out here. I think the T.E. room is too crowded for them to just hand him a job. It would be great to have that 6'7" 3rd and long or red zone threat if he's still relevant for the Vet's minimum.
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