Monday #ProCanes Report: Graham Makes Return
The Monday Morning #ProCanes report will weed through all the NFL highlights and news to bring you the information you care about the most… what the former University of Miami Hurricanes did during the week prior. After zero #ProCanes touchdowns through the first two waves of games Sunday, New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham came up with a five-catch, 59-yard performance that included a 22-yard touchdown reception in a Sunday Night Football win over Green Bay. After missing last week’s game against Detroit with an injury, Graham came back in a big way to help New Orleans earn a big win and extend the #ProCanes touchdown streak to 14 consecutive weeks dating back to the 2013 season. He wasn’t the only tight end to make a big impact, either.
Lamar Miller (Miami Dolphins) – 78 rushing yards, 21 receiving yards
Sunday marked another impressive performance for Dolphins third-year running back Lamar Miller, who seems to improve with every opportunity he gets. Bolstered by a dominant showing from the defense, Miami came away with a 27-13 victory over Jacksonville in which Miller led the way offensively with 78 rushing yards on 14 carries and 21 receiving yards on three receptions. Miller is averaging 4.9 yards per carry – tied with his rookie season for the best mark of his career. The Killian HS alum is on pace for the first 1,000-yard season of his career with 469 yards through the first 95 games.
Chase Ford (Minnesota Vikings) – six catches, 61 yards
Vikings’ second-year tight end Chase Ford entered Sunday’s matchup against the Buccaneers with eight catches this season for a total of 85 yards. But in Minnesota’s thrilling overtime victory over Tampa Bay, Ford delivered career-high totals of six catches and 61 yards to help lead the Vikings to victory. For is averaging 10.4 yards per catch this season, and has emerged as one of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s more reliable targets. Ford ranked second on the team in receiving behind wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, and had an impressive 19-yard grab in the first to help set up a field goal.
Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints) – five catches, 59 yards, one touchdown
Things were looking bleak after zero touchdowns through the first two rounds of games Sunday afternoon, but Jimmy Graham extended the #ProCanes scoring streak to 14 consecutive weeks with his 22-yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees in the third quarter Sunday. Graham, who missed last week’s game with an injury, returned Sunday night against Green Bay and immediately made an impact. The touchdown catch was the 45th of Graham’s five-year career, and fourth of this season. His five catches and 49 yards ranked second among all New Orleans’ pass catchers.
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Olivier Vernon (Miami Dolphins) – four tackles, one blocked field goal
While his numbers were by no means eye-popping, Olivier Vernon was a terror for a Miami defense that saved the day Sunday afternoon against Jacksonville. Included in that impactful performance: four total tackles, tackles a blocked first-quarter field goal attempt by the Jaguars. Vernon, who has 24 tackles and 3.5 sacks through the first eight weeks of the season, was widely praised for his efforts Sunday. His quarterback hurry in the first quarter caused Jacksonville quarterback Blake Bortles to throw the ball away on third down, while a sack of Bortles later in the game was negated by a penalty.
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