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Is Gary Barnidge our Jimmy Graham?

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Inspired by StPierre's post on Gary Barnidge's possible break out year, I have decided to take a look at one of the best receiving tight ends in the business and compare him to Gary to see if there are any similarities between the two. Looking at both athletes body types, college production and NFL combine results showed some surprising results.

Check out some stats after the jump.

Gary Barnidge

Receiving & Rushing

Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Year School Conf Class Pos Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
2004 Louisville CUSA FR TE 7 85 12.1 4 0 0 0 7 85 12.1 4
2005 Louisville Big East SO TE 17 240 14.1 2 0 0 0 17 240 14.1 2
2006 Louisville Big East JR TE 31 511 16.5 4 0 0 0 31 511 16.5 4
2007 Louisville Big East SR TE 53 655 12.4 7 0 0 0 53 655 12.4 7
Career Louisville 108 1491 13.8 17 0 0 0 108 1491 13.8 17


Jimmy Graham

Receiving & Rushing

Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Year School Conf Class Pos Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
2009 Miami (FL) ACC SR TE 17 213 12.5 5 0 0 0 17 213 12.5 5
Career Miami (FL) 17 213 12.5 5 0 0 0 17 213 12.5 5


Links to both Grahams, and Barnidge's NFL Combine Profile and results.


Barnidge http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/gary-barnidge?id=1060

Graham http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jimmy-graham?id=497236


As you can see there are some fascinating similarities in both body types and Combine results. The two things that stand out to me is Grahams vertical and the comments on his athleticism from his basketball background. I had no idea that Graham had little college football experience other then 2009 were he caught 17 passes. New Orleans scouts did a hell of a job picking this guy. Barnidge has the speed and the size to be a similar weapon and should be a great target in the red zone. I look forward to seeing how Chud uses all these diverse weapons at his disposal.
What do you CSR members think of the comparison and the possibility that with Chud and the weapons on this team, that Barnidge could be utilized like Graham. He should see many favorable match ups with linebackers and with Cam's knack for finding and throwing to TE's we should see numbers better then Shockey's. Gary's possess's much better speed then Shockey also, and that should lead to some great YAC. I might be dreaming but I think we will fall in love with this guy by mid season.

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