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Jimmy Graham: Fewer touchdowns, better jersey sales?

By Jonathan Bass

Feb 23, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; General view of a football during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; General view of a football during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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This sponsored post is brought to you by DICK‘S Sporting Goods.

In what was possibly the most shocking move of the 2015 offseason, the New Orleans Saints agreed to trade all-world tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks for center Max Unger on March 10. One week later and it was official: Graham was no longer a member of Who Dat Nation.

With the addition of Graham, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson now has a monster target to throw to. Much like he was Drew Brees’ favorite target in New Orleans, Graham will likely immediately become Wilson’s go-to man in Seattle. It’s hard not to envision him snaking receptions away from Jermaine Kearse and Doug Baldwin, and becoming the team’s leading receiver for 2015.

However, while he moves to a less crowded receiving stable, Graham now has a monster touchdown vulture coming out of the backfield. Rather, a Beast touchdown vulture – Marshawn Lynch. Lynch has scored double-digit touchdowns for the past four seasons, including a career high last year. Whereas somebody like Graham would be a perfect fade route, goal line option on most teams, those plays are likely to be sent Beast Mode’s way in Seattle – especially considering what happened the last time Pete Carroll decided to throw when lined up at the goal line.

With a potential drop in touchdown production looming, how does that affect Graham’s jersey sales in his new market? The answer: rather favorably, actually.

According to the DICK’S Sporting Goods Jersey Report, Graham’s numbers have actually seen a spike since trading out the Bayou for the Puget Sound. The tight end has climbed 13 positions from where he was last season in terms of popularity of jerseys sold.

dicks jersey report week 2 graphic
dicks jersey report week 2 graphic /

So what’s the reasoning?

First off, Graham is in some new digs. Everyone who is anyone in New Orleans sported a Jimmy jersey – either home or away, if not both. At a certain point the market becomes saturated, especially for a player who’s had injury concerns and well-publicized standoffs with the front office.

Secondly, he’s moving to a market of equally, if not more, passionate fans. He’s the new man in town that will provide an adrenaline shot to an offense needing a little punch. He might be able to bring the best out of Wilson (at least in terms of number production). Why not rush out and jump on the Jimmy Bandwagon a little early.

Also, Seattle has been successful (see: one play away from consecutive Super Bowl titles), whereas it has been a rough couple of seasons for New Orleans. Casual fans want to wear the threads of a hot team, not one working its way back up the standings.

So while Graham might have a few less faux-goal post dunks this coming season, he’ll be as popular as ever. Don’t be surprised if you see your fair share of Jimmy Graham Seahawks jerseys around town this season.

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