Trent Dilfer and Ray Lewis went in on Jimmy Graham during ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown. PFT transcribed:
“He’s a fantastic offensive weapon when split out. But when he’s an in-line tight end, it’s not perception, it is fact. He is unwilling and incapable to hold up in the run game as an in-line tight end,” Dilfer said. “He’s more of a spectator than a blocker. They’re averaging zero yards per carry when he lines up as an in-line tight end.” […]
“He’s a queen tight end. He’s the opposite of what I used to be playing against,” Lewis said, explaining that when Tony Gonzalez played for the Chiefs they would never run to his side of the field. “When you have this type of deficiency in your offense,” Lewis said, “this can take away your identity without you even knowing it takes away your identity.”
Even if they have a point, the tone and language seem kinda uncalled for. It’s also not as though they’re breaking news. It’s Graham’s sixth year in the league. We know who he is, and it’s up to his coaching staff to optimize game-planning. Seattle was well aware of Graham’s blocking limitations when they traded for his pass catching ability.