before deciding to do a U-turn from zgr123's blog
NEW ORLEANS -- Jimmy Graham insists he isnt miffed about his lack of a contract extension, even as his highlight-reel catches and gaudy statistics put him on track to be one of the best tight ends the NFL has seen. Trevor Story Jersey . Then again, if Graham were angry, it might not be such a bad thing for the New Orleans Saints. Graham, wholl seek a third-straight 100-yard receiving game when New Orleans (3-0) hosts the Miami Dolphins (3-0) on Monday night, says he thrives on anger on the field. That would explain the force of nature hes resembled in the Saints air attack since Tampa Bays attempts to intimidate him backfired so badly a couple weeks ago. You can watch the game on TSN and TSN Mobile TV at 8:30pm et/5:30pm pt. "If somebody hits me big, you can probably tell Im probably jabbering a few things back at him, telling him that, Im going to be here all day," the 6-foot-7, 265-pound Graham said. "I find it as a challenge and I invite all of it. ... It gets me angry, which is good." In helping the Saints to victories over the Buccaneers and Cardinals in Weeks 2 and 3, Graham made 19 catches for 313 yards and three touchdowns. Much of that production came after Graham was folded backward on a penalized blast to his head by Tampa Bays Ahmad Black. What looked at first like a knockout blow produced an opposite result. Now, stopping Graham has become the problem of another Florida team. "His production over the last two weeks has been off the charts," Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said. "He obviously has great size and weight. He seems to be a natural running down the field and going up and catching the ball. He can catch the ball in traffic. He can catch the ball when he gets hit. He has excellent concentration and hands. His size and length are an issue, and its a concern when you go play him." Many Miami sports fans are familiar with Grahams character and toughness. He was abandoned as a child before being adopted by a woman who counselled Grahams youth group at a North Carolina church. The stability his adoptive mother provided helped him earn a basketball scholarship to Miami. He was a physical power forward, and now offers a self-effacing smile while describing himself as a player who had more fouls than points. He thrived as a student and athlete at Miami, and Hurricanes fans, including university president and former Clinton cabinet member Donna Shalala, held him up as an inspiration. Football coaches saw his ability to run the floor and grab rebounds, and figured hed make a great tight end. He gave it a shot in 2009, his final year of NCAA eligibility, and Saints scouts werent the only ones who noticed. He could have become a Dolphin if Saints coach Sean Payton hadnt taken Graham off the market in the third round of the 2010 draft. Paytons mentor and former boss, Bill Parcells, was an executive with Miami at the time and had his eye on Graham. "I do remember 30 seconds after the selection, getting a phone call from Parcells," Payton said, adding he could tell Graham was someone Parcells targeted. "That makes you feel good, rather than him saying, What did you take him for? To Jimmys credit, hes come in and his transition has been fairly quick with maybe the lack of experience that a lot of players would have in college." Since 2011 (including playoffs) Graham leads NFL tight ends with 219 catches for 2,808 yards, and leads NFC tight ends with 27 TDs. His numbers might have been even better if not for a wrist injury that led to what would be considered a down year by Grahams standards in 2012: 85 catches, 982 yards, nine TDs. "It feels good to be healthy. I cant lie about that," Graham said. "This off-season is the hardest that Ive worked in not only rehab but just on little things -- you know -- film room. But I think more than anything, Im playing with more emotion than I ever have." The Saints want to lock down Graham long term, but general manager Mickey Loomis tends to be a deliberate and patient negotiator. The Saints could use the franchise tag to prevent Graham from leaving. Graham could have held out, but noticed a collective sense of purpose at Saints headquarters as Payton returned from his 2012 bounty ban, and he wanted to be part of it. And like quarterback Drew Brees in 2011, Graham has faith the Saints will ultimately treat him right. "For me, it really is all football," Graham said. "Im a very hungry player right now." Nolan Arenado Jersey . After a tight first half, the Croatians took command in Reykjavik after Skulason was dismissed for a professional foul in the 51st minute, but couldnt find a way past Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson and his packed defence. Eduardo had a weak shot cleared away from near the goalline after barely a minute for Croatia, whose substitute Ivica Olic forced a fine reaction save from Halldorsson in the 55th. Charlie Blackmon Rockies Jersey . The team said Saturday that the 36-year-old Robidas is expected to miss four to six months, jeopardizing his return this season. He was injured when he slid hard into the boards in the second period of a 2-1 shootout loss to Chicago on Friday.TORONTO - Road closures in Toronto forced Raptors coach Dwane Casey to ditch his car and ride the subway to the Air Canada Centre for Game 7. Casey said he was stuck in traffic for 30 to 40 minutes Sunday before deciding to do a U-turn and head for the subway. "Good old reliable subway," Casey said, laughing. "I dont think anyone expected us to be here today in that they had a marathon and a Game 7 in the same day." The downtown road closures were due to the Goodlife Fitness Toronto Marathon. Fellow TTC riders posted pictures of Casey seated on the subway, dressed in a bllack Canada Goose bomber jacket and a black Raptors T-shirt. Gerardo Parra Jersey. His garment bag hung on the glass partition next to his seat. "I didnt think anybody recognized who I was but I think the shirt gave it away," Casey said. Asked if Raptors fans gave him any advice during the ride to the Air Canada Centre, the coach replied: "They just said Go get em." Casey said it wasnt his first subway ride in Toronto. He most recently travelled via the TTC last summer. "Its great," Casey said. "I recommend it to everybody. Just not on Game 7." Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
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