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Factoid

Goal-line Jimmy Graham

Tight end was heavily featured near end zone

I’m not a big Jimmy Graham fan. He drops too many passes, and I didn’t think he was a difference maker with the Seahawks. But they’re going to have to play a lot differently around the end zone now that he’s not around.

Graham (who signed with the Packers) was the clear focal point of Seattle’s passing game around the end zone last year. When they got near the goal line, they consistently went to him.

When the Seahawks were inside the 5, they threw 16 passes to Graham, resulting in 7 touchdowns and a 2-point conversion. (A 2-point conversion isn’t actually considered an official play, but I am including them here).

The 16 pass attempts is the most by any player in this century. Maybe ever (I don’t have these numbers compiled for the ‘80s and ‘90s). In the last 10 years, only 60 other players have been targeted at least 8 times in that part of the field.

RECEIVING INSIDE 5 (last 10 years)
YearPlayerTgtRecPctTD
2017Jimmy Graham, Sea.16850.0%7+1
2014Demaryius Thomas, Den.14428.6%3+1
2013Dez Bryant, Dall.13969.2%9
2008Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz.13753.8%7
2008Tony Gonzalez, K.C.12541.7%5
2011Aaron Hernandez, N.E.12541.7%4
2015Jarvis Landry, Mia.12433.3%2+1
2008Anquan Boldin, Ariz.11872.7%6
2013Brandon Marshall, Chi.11763.6%5+2
2010Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz.11654.5%3+1
2015Antonio Brown, Pitt.10770.0%3+2
2014Roddy White, Atl.10770.0%6
2013Wes Welker, Den.10770.0%6
2012Heath Miller, Pitt.10660.0%4+1
2011Jimmy Graham, N.O.10660.0%6
2014Antonio Brown, Pitt.10550.0%3+1
2009Reggie Wayne, Ind.10550.0%4
2009Greg Olsen, Chi.10440.0%4
2008Dwayne Bowe, K.C.10330.0%3
2014Randall Cobb, G.B.9777.8%6+1
2017Michael Crabtree, Oak.9777.8%5+2
2016Jordy Nelson, G.B.9666.7%6
2016Anquan Boldin, Det.9666.7%4
2014Dez Bryant, Dall.9555.6%5
2012Rob Gronkowski, N.E.9555.6%5
2017Rob Gronkowski, N.E.9444.4%3+1
2016Demaryius Thomas, Den.9444.4%3+1
2016Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz.9444.4%4
2015Pierre Garcon, Wash.9444.4%4
2013Eric Decker, Den.9444.4%4
2013Calvin Johnson, Det.9444.4%4
2012Mike Williams, T.B.9444.4%4
2016Kyle Rudolph, Minn.9444.4%2
2008Braylon Edwards, Clev.9333.3%1+2
2016Antonio Brown, Pitt.9333.3%3
2016Amari Cooper, Oak.9222.2%0+2
2012Brandon Marshall, Chi.9222.2%2
2014Charles Clay, Mia.9222.2%0
2015Golden Tate, Det.8787.5%5
2015Richard Rodgers, G.B.8675.0%5+1
2016Mike Evans, T.B.8675.0%4+2
2016Davante Adams, G.B.8562.5%4+1
2016Michael Crabtree, Oak.8562.5%4+1
2012Anthony Fasano, Mia.8562.5%4+1
2015Allen Robinson, Jac.8562.5%5
2011Calvin Johnson, Det.8562.5%5
2015Rob Gronkowski, N.E.8562.5%4
2013Joseph Fauria, Det.8450.0%3+1
2009Randy Moss, N.E.8450.0%3+1
2014Antonio Gates, S.D.8450.0%4
2010Miles Austin, Dall.8450.0%4
2014Larry Donnell, NYG8450.0%3
2015Gary Barnidge, Clev.8337.5%3
2012Roddy White, Atl.8337.5%3
2008Bryant Johnson, S.F.8337.5%3
2014Jordy Nelson, G.B.8225.0%2
2010Chad Ochocinco, Cin.8225.0%2
2013Josh Gordon, Clev.8112.5%1
2012Julio Jones, Atl.8112.5%1
2011Brandon Marshall, Mia.800.0%0
2011Marcedes Lewis, Jac.800.0%0

Note: On touchdown column, I'm blending touchdowns and 2-point conversions. Graham caught 7 TDs and a 2-point converison, so I've listed him as "7+1".

For the Seahawks, they’re going back to square one with their offense around the goal-line. Should be completely different, with different players trying to do different things. They dumped a lot of their assistant coaches, including their offensive coordinator.

Seattle’s running game was garbage last year, and that’s been a focus. I imagine they’ll run it a lot more (and more effectively) in that part of field.

Seattle doesn’t have a tight end who’s anything like Graham, so I don’t imagine that position will be a big factor. Right now, it looks like they’ll be using Ed Dickson and Nick Vannett, but those guys are pretty ordinary.

Doug Baldwin should get a few more looks, and he’s a skilled route runner. Over the last three years, they’ve gone 5 of 9 when passing to Baldwin inside the 5, with 4 TDs and a 2-point conversion. He’s fine, but he’s not a Graham-type weapon that they’ll be pumping balls to week after week.

I believe we’ll see Russell Wilson passing less often in this part of the field – and also less effectively. He was very good around the goal line last year, but earlier in his career he tended to struggle. Inside the 10 (not the 5, but the 10) last year, Wilson completed 24 of 46 passes, with a league-high 17 TDs plus a pair of 2-point conversions. Those are some of the better goal-line passing numbers in the league. He threw 34 touchdown passes, and half of them came inside the 10.

In the two previous years, Wilson completed only 22 of 58 passes inside the 10, with 18 TDs, a 2-point conversion and 3 sacks – 38 percent completions. During those two seasons, 25 other quarterbacks had at least 40 plays in that part of the field, and they all completed at least 46 percent.

Look for a decline from Wilson, I’m pretty sure.

As for Graham, I imagine Aaron Rodgers were get him some balls around the goal line, but I don’t think he’ll necessarily be their featured guy. Davante Adams and Randall Cobb both look just as likely to score touchdowns in that part of the field. And they could add another quality wide receiver. Dez Bryant is still out there (and note on the chart that he’s the only player in the last 10 years who’s caught 9 passes inside the 5-yard line – back in 2013).

—Ian Allan

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