Reportedly in the Spring of 2009, the Patriots almost signed Jimmy Graham
For a short period of time, New England had perhaps the most dynamic tight end duo the league had ever seen in Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. 1-3 dead bodies and about six surgeries later- tight end is a position where the Patriots are thin.
According to Phil Perry of Comcast Sports Net, who obtained his report via Sports Illustrated, at one point the Patriots nearly nabbed perennial Pro Bowler Jimmy Graham before he was on anyone's radar.
The report reads as follows:
While the Patriots may have been ahead of the pack on recognizing Graham's potential as a pass catcher; they did not act proactively on their assessment of him when they had the chance in the 2010 draft. While he was on the board, the Patriots selected Devin McCourty, Rob Gronkowski, Jermaine Cunningham, Brandon Spikes, and Taylor Price, who they took five picks prior to Graham being selected. Taylor Price turned out to be a complete and total bust, while Graham has obviously become one of the premier pass catchers in the league.
In the fourth round, perhaps driven by the fact they missed out on Graham, the Pats selected Aaron Hernandez. Had Graham still been on the board at that point, it is possible that Tom Brady would have had Graham and (when healthy) Gronk at his disposal for the last four seasons. Instead, they picked up a super talented, but also psychopathic tight end/murderer.
The fact that the team pinpointed Graham before he ever played a down on a football field speaks to the intellect of their scouting department. But there is no doubt that if true, this missed opportunity is one that has Bill Belichick and Patriots fans kicking themselves.
@LP_NEP
@PatriotsLife
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According to Phil Perry of Comcast Sports Net, who obtained his report via Sports Illustrated, at one point the Patriots nearly nabbed perennial Pro Bowler Jimmy Graham before he was on anyone's radar.
The report reads as follows:
Andrew Lawrence reports that the Patriots placed a phone call to University of Miami basketball coach Frank Haith to discuss the Canes' best post defender, a four-year letter-winner on the hoops team named Jimmy Graham.
Graham hadn't seen a football field since the ninth grade, but New England was interested in working him out as a tight end. The transition from hardwood-to-gridiron had worked for players like Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates in the past, and the Patriots wanted to have a go at Graham.
The only difference? Gonzalez was an All-American in college at Cal, and Gates was recruited by Nick Saban to play at Michigan State after he was named an all-stater in high school. Graham hadn't strapped on pads in almost eight years when the Patriots came calling.
Still, a workout was set up and Graham -- knowing scant football terminology -- caught passes from freshman quarterback Jacory Harris. The Patriots saw enough in the athletic 6-foot-8 power forward to offer him $5,000 on the spot if he signed.
After consulting with Miami football coach Randy Shannon and former Hurricanes quarterback Bernie Kosar, Graham opted to pursue a secondary degree and join the school's football team. He had slipped through the Patriots grasp for the moment, but New England would have the opportunity to draft him the following year.
While the Patriots may have been ahead of the pack on recognizing Graham's potential as a pass catcher; they did not act proactively on their assessment of him when they had the chance in the 2010 draft. While he was on the board, the Patriots selected Devin McCourty, Rob Gronkowski, Jermaine Cunningham, Brandon Spikes, and Taylor Price, who they took five picks prior to Graham being selected. Taylor Price turned out to be a complete and total bust, while Graham has obviously become one of the premier pass catchers in the league.
In the fourth round, perhaps driven by the fact they missed out on Graham, the Pats selected Aaron Hernandez. Had Graham still been on the board at that point, it is possible that Tom Brady would have had Graham and (when healthy) Gronk at his disposal for the last four seasons. Instead, they picked up a super talented, but also psychopathic tight end/murderer.
The fact that the team pinpointed Graham before he ever played a down on a football field speaks to the intellect of their scouting department. But there is no doubt that if true, this missed opportunity is one that has Bill Belichick and Patriots fans kicking themselves.
@LP_NEP
@PatriotsLife
