Jimmy Graham Runs with the First Team Offense

Jeremy Shockey's recent absence from Saints minicamp due to hospitalization and back spasms was a valuable opportunity for Jimmy Graham, in particular. Graham, a third-round draft pick out of Miami, is even more raw than most rookies, having spent four years as a basketball player in college before playing football for just one season.

But by all accounts the 6-foot-6, 260-pounder has been a quick study, and he's eager to learn. He was one of the last players on the field Friday afternoon, catching extra passes from the quarterbacks.

"I'm very impressed with him, " quarterback Drew Brees said. "I think athletically he's as gifted as you get at the tight end position. I think (he's learning) like any young guy thrown into the mix, especially a tight end in our system where's the Y tight end and F tight end. At times you're out wide, at times you're split out, at times you're in the backfield. We do a lot with our tight ends; we move them around a lot; we put a lot on their plate and make them responsible for a lot.

"He still has a big learning curve here, but just as far as pure talent and telling him to run this and get open, he can do it. I look forward to watching him develop."

Payton said Graham's development has been especially impressive for a player with such little experience in college.

"He's getting a lot of work, " Payton said. "For us, the key is just finding a handful of packages that we think suit him, and packages that would suit Dave Thomas or Jeremy Shockey. ... (Graham) is a guy that we're giving some snaps to, and the timing with he and Drew is important.

"Just like you're seeing (rookie cornerback) Patrick (Robinson) get some snaps. Some of these guys that we've had for the better part of three weeks now -- the rookie camp, the OTAs -- they're being quickly brought up to speed."



(nola.com)