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Saints Considering Jimmy Graham As Situational Red-Zone Threat

By Bryan Rose

Oct 5, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) runs after a catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) runs after a catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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All Pro NFL tight end Jimmy Graham could still be a situational red-zone threat for the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

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Although New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was able to go through a mild practice late this week, it’s uncertain if the All-Pro will be able to play his regular snaps as the Saints travel to Motown to face the Detroit Lions.

Even if Graham is limited, it’s possible the New Orleans Saints may attempt to use him in a situational red-zone role as noted by Larry Holder.

"With Graham practicing on a limited basis Thursday and Friday, it shouldn’t come as a major surprise if the Saints employ the same plan for Graham on Sunday in Detroit. Play Graham in the red zone and sit him when the Saints are elsewhere."

If using Jimmy Graham in such a role sounds familiar, that’s because it is as the New Orleans Saints have done so before. More than that, using Graham in such a role has proven to be very effective for the franchise in the past and its understandable as to why they’d be exploring the idea yet again.

Currently dealing with a shoulder injury, it’s not known if Jimmy Graham could make it though a full game so the team may best decide he’s most useful on the field during the most opportune of moments and give quarterback Drew Brees his favorite target in the red-zone.

The Detroit Lions have a fearsome front seven so it may prove to be tough sledding for the Saints running game, though they do get back running back Mark Ingram this week who has missed time with a broken hand. For now though it doesn’t look as if Jimmy Graham will be completely out of the lineup come Sunday, though his impact could still be felt.

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