Last Sunday’s game against the Panthers featured a more Graham-centric game plan for the offense. The result was an 8 reception, 140 yard performance that marked his best game this season to date. Graham played better within the structure of the offense, and conversely, was able to for the first time this season show the ability to play outside the construct of this offense resulting in larger gains of 45 and 20 yards. The Seahawks hope to continue this trend against the San Francisco 49ers who rank 26th in covering opposing team’s TEs.

Those worried about similarities between an inability to get Percy Harvin involved on offense and Jimmy Graham should be calmed with the performance Graham displayed on Sunday. The following is a relatively basic analysis of what occurred during each of Graham’s 8 receptions during this game.

1st and 10 at CAR 33

(8:13 – 1st) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass short middle to J.Graham to CAR 17 for 16 yards (R.Harper)

Wilson is in a shotgun formation with Lynch offset to his right. Graham is lined up to the right of the formation in his in-line TE position. A lot of Graham’s receptions during this game came off free releases off the line of scrimmage. Graham seemingly runs a short post route. The threat of play-action and Wilson looking towards Lockett on his right slows LB #58 and helps Graham find space in the middle of the field for the first down. Wilson being decisive and getting rid of the ball quickly helps negate some of the pressure that occurs at the snap. Graham will help Wilson with these middle of the field throws that a QB at his height might struggle with. This is where having a 6’7” TE helps immensely.

1st and 10 at CAR 17

(7:36 – 1st) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass short right to J.Graham pushed ob at CAR 17 for no gain (J.Norman)

This play is again in shotgun formation, and is directly after the play noted above. This time Lynch is off-set to Wilson’s left instead of his right. Willson goes in motion to the (R) side of the line to help with the TE screen that is thrown to Graham. The Seahawks screen game is abysmal and it shows here again. I think there a couple of key issues within the structure of this play: (A) I don’t understand why Lockett 5’11” / 182lbs is blocking Tillman 6’1”/198lbs. That being said, that part of the play is not the primary reason why this screen failed. Lockett needs to play and/or block within the structure of the offense, and obviously you can’t have him on the field and never block. And (B), Gilliam releases and blocks someone downfield, however no one picks up Josh Norman who makes the tackle. Should this have been Gilliam’s assignment? I’m unsure. The interesting thing about this play (and perhaps this is my Madden-side showing), is wondering whether or not Wilson could fake the screen throw, reverse field and have Lynch lead-blocking the corner holding the edge on the (L) side since no one is matched up with him.

2nd and 13 at CAR 45

(10:07 – 2nd) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass deep middle to J.Graham to CAR 20 for 25 yards (T.Boston)

Rawls is off-set to Wilson to his (L). The Seahawks are running a bunch-set formation to the (R) side with #89 set to the far (L). This is a 2-TE/2-WR set. Baldwin has a beautiful release off the line of scrimmage and immediately creates separation down the field. Ultimately, Wilson does not look his way and instead throws to Graham who goes up and gets it for a large gain. Wilson maneuvers the pocket well and sets his feet to throw an accurate pass to Graham. (It’s nice to see him learning not to over-throw him anymore). You can see that Graham gets another free release off the line of scrimmage (which this bunch formation is designed to do), and fools his defender by cutting inside and coming open. This is another pass down the middle of the field where a huge target like Graham comes into play.

3rd and 14 at SEA 33

(12:21 – 3rd) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass deep middle to J.Graham to CAR 40 for 27 yards (K.Coleman; R.Harper)

This is one of my favorite plays of the day by this burgeoning duo. The Panthers rush four and leave the center unblocked, which consequently leaves the middle of the field open for Wilson to have a clear picture of Graham coming open. The Seahawks are running an empty-set formation, which always makes me worry about protection given the Seahawks struggling offensive line, but they are able to protect well. Wilson gets a great pocket, and uncorks a pass to Graham for a key 3rd down conversion in the 2nd half. Graham is able to hold onto to the ball despite a safety bearing down on him. He gets another free release off the line of scrimmage. However, this time Graham is lined up in the slot WR position rather than in-line next to the offensive line like a regular TE would be. He maneuvers around Kuechly (#59) and comes open for the first down. Watching the past few Seahawks games, it feels like the coaching staff is starting to split him out wide more. This is typically how Graham was used more in NO, so hopefully this can lead to some increased production.

1st and 10 at CAR 33

(10:40 – 3rd) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass short middle to J.Graham to CAR 29 for 4 yards (R.Harper; T.Davis)

The Seahawks get a short field after the Kam Chancellor interception which unfortunately results in one of their worst drives of the day considering their outstanding field position. 4 plays, 1 yard and 3 points. Wilson is in shotgun formation with Lynch offset to this (L). Wilson sends Lynch out to a WR position to run a vertical route, possibly to clear out the LB from the box to open the middle of the field more for Graham. The Panthers rush 5 and the offensive line all block their assignments and give Wilson a clean pocket. However, there is some confusion here between Graham and Lockett who run their routes into one another. Graham is again lined up as the slot receiver and picks up some short yardage on the play.

3rd and 4 at SEA 22

(15:00 – 4th) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass deep right to J.Graham pushed ob at CAR 33 for 45 yards (K.Coleman)

Baldwin comes in motion to the (L) side of the line. Baldwin actually comes open and Wilson initially wants to go there as you can see him try to set his feet and look in his direction. Carolina rushes 5, and #91 Delaire beats Russell Okung and chases Wilson to the (R) side of the field. This play displays some key chemistry that is building between Wilson and Graham. Wilson helps direct Graham up the field on this scramble drill as he beats #41 Harper’s press. This is one of the first times this entire year that I can remember Graham adjusting to Wilson’s scrambles and providing a target downfield on a scramble drill. Graham bobbles and holds onto the ball for a huge gain of 45 yards.

3rd and 5 at SEA 35

(8:53 – 4th) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass short left to J.Graham pushed ob at SEA 38 for 3 yards (T.Davis)

Carolina rushes 5, and blitzes a CB on the (R) side of the offensive line. The (R) side of the line is overwhelmed with the blitz, and as such Wilson does not look to that side at all. Wilson has to get rid of the ball quickly as the defenders arrive as he releases the ball. He locks onto Graham who is running a flat route and catches the ball short of the first down. The only other option I see on this play is maybe #89 who has a few yards of cushion between him and his defender. Another thing to take notice of here: Gilliam gets absolutely demolished in pass protection. I mean seriously, his defender pushes him down like a rag doll and easily maneuvers around him. If Wilson holds onto the ball any longer this play ends up with a sack.

1st and 10 at SEA 20

(3:55 – 4th) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass short right to J.Graham to SEA 40 for 20 yards (R.Harper; K.Coleman)

Wilson sends Lynch out again to run another vertical route. Wilson holds onto the ball, while the protection on the (R) side of the line begins to break down. Following Wilson’s eyes, it appears that he initially wants to go to Baldwin, however he is forced to scramble out to the (R). Graham is lined up in the slot (is this starting to sound familiar?), and is able to adjust and complete the successful scramble drill as Wilson rifles a pass to him. One thing to note on this play and Graham’s 5th reception, both LBs are playing off-coverage when Lynch splits out wide, however, at varying degrees of depth. Both plays resulted in positive gains, so its hard to be particularly critical of Wilson’s decisions, but you have to think eventually you adjust to have Lynch maybe run a hitch or a slant route to take advantage of all the free space.

When the Seahawks are able to run the ball effectively with Marshawn Lynch and get Jimmy Graham involved in the passing game, this offense will be difficult to stop. Currently the Seahawks rank dead last in red zone percentage, a key statistic in explaining their mediocre 2-4 record. The Seahawks are scoring touchdowns on 28.57% of their drives, compared to 52.11% last year. The Seahawks have to be able to capitalize on more red zone opportunities if they want to have any chance of turning their season around.