Q&A with TE Jimmy Graham

Saints Pro Bowl TE Jimmy Graham spoke with NFL Network’s Lindsay Rhodes and Jamie Dukes after he was named No. 14 on “The Top 100: Players of 2012.”

Below are some nuggets from the interview. You can watch the full interview here. 

On being the top tight end on NFL Network’s “Top 100: Players of 2012”…
“I was honored because it was my peers who voted for this. I know there are going to be debates with me versus Gronk (Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski).”

On earning so many accolades after being a third-round draft pick…
“It’s been a long process. It’s been a lot of hard work. One of the craziest things is that I am so young. I am still learning. Every day in OTAs and mini-camp practices I am taking another strive forward. To be playing the game for two and a half years now, I still feel like there is a lot of room or me to grow.”

On where he can improve…
“No. 1 for me is blocking. Sometimes with the sets and schemes we have I am not doing it as much but last year in the beginning I was blocking a lot more. I know that it is something that will help me get open. If I can block and protect Drew (Brees), defenses are going to have to respect that where they can’t always double cover me.”

On how QB Drew Brees has helped him improve…
“Drew is like an older brother to me. He has really taken me under his wing. The thing about him is that he is so hard on me. Every time I make a mistake he is the first one telling me what to do but it’s tough love. He is always constructive with his criticism. He has been one of the main parts of me growing so quickly.”


(neworleanssaint.com)