Didyou know that Saints tight end Jimmy Graham played basketball at the University of Miami? Did you know that he only played one year of football before being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft? Oh and by the way, did you know that he loves dunking over the goal post each time he scores a touchdown?
I can see the look of bewilderment on your face. You are thinking: wait...what are you saying? Jimmy wasn't really the result of a 20 million dollars ultra-secret government experiment? Did television lie to us again? So you mean to say that he bleeds red blood like the rest of us? How about his strange reddish hair? What of his freakish combination of size, strength and speed?
I fully understand why you are in shock and awe. I mean, let's just look at what Graham has accomplished in four years in the NFL, despite the fact that he played only one year of...ok I'm going to leave that one alone.
Graham also has 41 touchdown receptions in his four years in New Orleans, an outstanding average of 10 touchdowns a year when considering that opposing defenses build a large part of their gameplan around stopping him when they play against the Saints.
The 27-year old Saints tight end is not perfect however and it showed at times in 2013. His worst career game came in week six at New England, when Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib shut Graham down. The Saints best receiving weapon was limited to zero catches despite being targeted six times by quarterback Drew Brees.
He struggled in a few other games as well, notably against the Saint Louis Rams, when he only recorded two catches for 25 yards. In two games against the Seattle Seahawks, Graham combined for only 4 catches, 50 yards and a lone touchdown.
These subpar performances have led several pundits and even some Saints fans across the country to question Graham's drive and toughness, especially when facing rugged, physical defenses. Although I believe that Graham could use a bit more "nastiness" in his game, I've heard outrageous statements such as: "he only plays well against poor teams."
If you have read some of my works before, you know what I think about lazy narratives: they're like cockroaches; they are useless, they are hard to kill and all I want to do is crush them under the sole of my shoe.
The tape doesn't lie and the numbers speak for themselves. Against some of the elite defenses in the NFL, Graham produced at an unbelievably high level this season. Some however, have chosen to focus on his poor outings.
Without much help from the Saints other receiving targets in 2013, opposing teams found it rather easy to double or even triple-team Graham, rendering him ineffective as it would have any player, even one who is 6'7", 265 lbs. and as gifted as he is.
Now to accommodate the extra-demanding faction of Saints fans who would like Jimmy Graham to play more like an android than a normally flawed human being, I have devised an genious enhancement plan for the Saints tight end. This scientific experiment will be tested during the upcoming training camp and if successful, might be implemented for the whole Saints roster.
Faced with all of Graham's detractors, and with a mission to make them stop complaining and rather appreciate his stellar play, I have come to the conclusion that the only way to achieve such a feat would be to turn him into an unstoppable 90% android football playing machine.
Graham has been criticized for not being able to beat bump-and-run coverage and for being "soft" when re-routed at the line of scrimmage by the likes of Richard Sherman or Aqib Talib. With these four arms, Graham is now going to be able to not only catch the ball, but simultaneously push the defenders off of him.
Being 265 lbs. makes it hard for Graham to get away from speedy cornerbacks and safeties. These new legs with allow Graham to run a 3.0 40-yard dash and have a vertical jump of 75 inches. Unfair? Maybe. Deal with it.
This chip, made of an extremely rare new alloy, will recreate the mean streak of the original Terminator. It will also add the improvisation and creative abilities of Terminator X (If you are under 25, Google him). The chip will be grafted into Graham's brain and will allow him to craftily evade and sometimes simply punk overaggressive linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties. Yes, all of them at the same time.
Of course, if none of this works, we can still be thankful as Saints and NFL fans that we are witnessing a Hall of Fame tight end in the making in Jimmy "The Reaper" Graham. At only 27-years old and still developing into a complete football player, it is quite unbelievable to think that Graham's best is yet to come.
So with all that going on, you may want to take the time during this graced season to consider adding an app or two to your mobile device that can help you get to know some of our heroic saints a little better.
Saint of the Day for Kids ($1.99) iOS A child-friendly app to help kids learn about saints. Looking for an alternative to mindless games? This is a wonderful substitute because it introduces children to real-life, extraordinary heroes with whom they can foster a devotion. The attractive illustrations can also be printed out into coloring pages! Saints are sorted out by the Roman Rite Catholic calendar or by a random pick or by alphabetical search. Save the ones you most like to the Favorites tab.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, with its headquarters located in the City of New York, is an Eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, The mission of the Archdiocese is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, to teach and spread the Orthodox Christian faith, to energize, cultivate, and guide the life of the Church in the United States of America according to the Orthodox Christian faith and tradition.
What is Orthodox Christianity?The Orthodox Christian Faith proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the teachings of the Apostles, and the tradition and life of the living Church worldwide through worship, communion, witness, and service.
The Daily Readings App on your mobile device is the easiest way to access the day's Bible readings prescribed by the Lectionary of the Greek Orthodox Church. The Daily Readings App also lets you read the lives of the saints or lookup fasting guidelines for each day right on your device.
Developed by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Internet Ministries, there is no better way to carry the Church's prescribed Scripture and devotional reading with you at all times. The Daily Readings App follows the typicon and lectionary of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
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The Apple iOS Digital Edition of The Word Among Us is available for only $1.99/month (Free trial available). Listen to the daily Mass Readings and meditations or try our new Missalette view for use at Mass.
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