Jimmy Graham’s integration into the Seahawks’ offense is still a work in progress

RENTON – Back in June, when tight end Jimmy Graham was the undisputed standout of the Seahawks’ offseason, it looked like he was making an effortless transition into Seattle’s offense. The on-field visuals were supplemented by comments from coaches and teammates, all of which left the impression that Graham could hit the ground running as Seattle’s new No. 1 receiving threat.

Turns out his integration into the Seahawks’ offense hasn’t been quite as seamless as it appeared it might be. That much was evident after Graham was a non-factor in Seattle’s loss to Green Bay, when he finished with one catch for 11 yards and left an entire fan base wondering why the team’s prized offseason acquisition wasn’t utilized more.

“I’m disappointed,” coach Pete Carroll said, “because we really have had the intent, just like you would think, exactly like you guys think, like everybody thinks. We want him to be a big part of the offense.”

The degree to which Graham has or hasn’t factored into Seattle’s offense through two games depends on how you look at it. On one hand, he made six catches (on eight targets) for 51 yards and a touchdown in the opener, numbers that if extrapolated over a full season would break franchise records and land Graham in the Pro Bowl. On the other hand, only one of Graham’s catches against St. Louis came in the first half and he was thrown to just twice against Green Bay, which means he’s had hardly any impact in six of eight quarters this season.

Graham’s underuse against Green Bay wasn’t a function of the play-calling, according to Carroll. He said the Seahawks “were trying to go to him four out of the first five passes” but that it didn’t work out for various reasons. On one of those plays, for instance, Russell Wilson threw to Luke Willson instead because the tight end was uncovered when the ball was snapped. Carroll added that he was envisioning Graham making the tying touchdown reception in the fourth quarter before that drive ended with an interception.

“We certainly had a bunch of calls – a bunch of calls – where it could have happened,” Carroll said.

That it didn’t has led to all sorts of hand-wringing, especially given the way Seattle’s offense struggled to move the ball at times against Green Bay. Carroll acknowledged that Graham is probably just as frustrated as anyone.

“I think he is. I think he’s a competitor, he wants the ball, he wants to help us win. I don’t think there’s any question about it. I would feel that, too,” Carroll said. “He’s worked hard, he’s great about it, he wants to do everything he can to help us. I don’t have any doubt about that.”

The outcry over Graham’s usage has been amplified by Seattle’s slow start on offense through two games. Among the issues: The Seahawks have converted only three of six chances in the red zone – those three scores representing their only three offensive touchdowns – and they’re converting less than 40 percent of the time on third down, 20th in the league.

In other words, they could use a 6-foot-7 tight end who has averaged more than 88 catches and 11 touchdowns the last four seasons. Graham was never expected to match those totals while playing in a run-first offense like that of Seattle, but his production and usage through his first two games with the Seahawks has left something to be desired by all involved.

“I’m not panicked by that at all,” Carroll said. “It sounds like some of the people are worried about it, but we’re working at it. It’s going to get worked out, and we just want him to be a factor and contribute just like he wants to – desperately. That’s what he’s here to do and we’re going to get that worked out.”

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