Despite all the indications, Jimmy Graham insists he isn't frustrated.
"I've been reading the same thing," he said, via the Seattle Times. "It's a surprise to me. I'm not really sure where that came from."
We can help there.
First NFL Media's Mike Silver suggested that the Seattle Seahawks tight end might be frustrated after seeing him in the locker room after Seattle's loss in Green Bay, where Graham had just two targets. Good reporters are able to provide insight and context where we otherwise would have none, much like Silver's column this week.
Coach Pete Carroll then boosted the idea that Graham is frustrated with his role thus far, telling a local radio station, "I think he is."
The tight end said regardless of what it looks like, he's just trying to be patient and wait for his chances to unfold.
"I'm doing what's asked of me," he said. "I know my opportunities are going to come. I know my moments are going to come. I know I'll be ready when they do come my way. Even leading up to that question, we've talked about it. This team runs the ball, simple as that. We're not slinging the ball 60 times a game. If we are, it means that we're in trouble. I'm just going to keep doing what's asked of me."
The chemistry with Graham and Russell Wilson continues to be a work in progress, especially in the red zone, where the Seahawks imported the tall touchdown machine to open up the offense.
"I tell Russ every day, it don't matter and sometimes just throw it because sometimes it just doesn't matter," he said. "That's just chemistry and something that we've got to get comfortable with. Sometimes a guy, maybe some guys, are there and sometimes I'm going to make it happen."
So far it hasn't happened the way the team or Graham envisioned. Facing a poor Chicago Bears defense on Sunday could be the perfect panacea for the illness that has afflicted the tight end's production through two games.
