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Tight end Jimmy Graham was one of the most popular and productive players in New Orleans Saints franchise history. A third round choice by the Saints in the 2010 NFL Draft, Graham had a promising rookie season before exploding onto the national scene. Between 2011 and 2014, Graham had incredible numbers with 355 receptions for 4,396 yards and 46 touchdowns.
Well on his way to a Hall of Fame career and already the holder of several franchise records, Graham was shockingly traded during the 2015 offseason. The Saints dealt the All-Pro tight end to the Seattle Seahawks. Among their compensation was Max Unger, one of the league's top centers. We are 60 days before the Saints take the field for their regular season opener. With nobody currently wearing the No. 60, let's have a look at Unger as our Saints Player of the Day.
The state of Hawaii isn't known as a hotbed for NFL talent. However, Max Unger emerged as a three-star recruit out of Hawaii Preparatory Academy to land with Oregon. He'd be a four-year starter for the Ducks, earning 1st Team All-Pac-10 honors twice and 2nd Team recognition once. In 2008, Unger was a 1st Team All-American as he entered the NFL draft.
Unger was selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He was an immediate starter and anchor for Seattle's offensive line as a rookie. After missing all but one game of 2010 with injury, Unger was back strong the following season. In 2012, he'd earn his first of two consecutive Pro Bowl trips with the Seahawks. Unger led a rugged offensive line that helped Seattle to consecutive NFC titles and a Super Bowl XLVIII championship.
A foot injury limited Unger to six games in 2014. That offseason, he was part of the stunning trade that sent him and a 2015 first round draft choice (Stephone Anthony) to the Saints with Graham going to the Seahawks. Unger didn't miss a beat in New Orleans, taking over the center position and holding it for four seasons at a high level.
Max Unger was not known for overwhelming power. Instead, he beat opponents with outstanding awareness and elite technique. Unger started 63 of a possible 64 regular season games with the Saints, along with four additional playoff contests. He was an underrated but vital part of one of the league's top offenses and in 2018 earned his third Pro Bowl. After the Saints were blatantly robbed in the 2019 NFC Championship game, Unger would retire. His arrival to New Orleans was amid controversy and emotional loss of Graham, but his play greatly strengthened the Saints offensive line.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Max Unger is the Saints Player of Day 60
Continue reading...
Well on his way to a Hall of Fame career and already the holder of several franchise records, Graham was shockingly traded during the 2015 offseason. The Saints dealt the All-Pro tight end to the Seattle Seahawks. Among their compensation was Max Unger, one of the league's top centers. We are 60 days before the Saints take the field for their regular season opener. With nobody currently wearing the No. 60, let's have a look at Unger as our Saints Player of the Day.
- Name (age): Maxwell Unger (40)
- Hometown: Waimea, Hawaii
- Position: Center
- Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 305 pounds
- College: Oregon Ducks
- Drafted: Round 2, 49th overall in 2009 (Seattle Seahawks)
- NFL experience: 10 years (4 with Saints)
The state of Hawaii isn't known as a hotbed for NFL talent. However, Max Unger emerged as a three-star recruit out of Hawaii Preparatory Academy to land with Oregon. He'd be a four-year starter for the Ducks, earning 1st Team All-Pac-10 honors twice and 2nd Team recognition once. In 2008, Unger was a 1st Team All-American as he entered the NFL draft.
Unger was selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He was an immediate starter and anchor for Seattle's offensive line as a rookie. After missing all but one game of 2010 with injury, Unger was back strong the following season. In 2012, he'd earn his first of two consecutive Pro Bowl trips with the Seahawks. Unger led a rugged offensive line that helped Seattle to consecutive NFC titles and a Super Bowl XLVIII championship.
A foot injury limited Unger to six games in 2014. That offseason, he was part of the stunning trade that sent him and a 2015 first round draft choice (Stephone Anthony) to the Saints with Graham going to the Seahawks. Unger didn't miss a beat in New Orleans, taking over the center position and holding it for four seasons at a high level.
Max Unger was not known for overwhelming power. Instead, he beat opponents with outstanding awareness and elite technique. Unger started 63 of a possible 64 regular season games with the Saints, along with four additional playoff contests. He was an underrated but vital part of one of the league's top offenses and in 2018 earned his third Pro Bowl. After the Saints were blatantly robbed in the 2019 NFC Championship game, Unger would retire. His arrival to New Orleans was amid controversy and emotional loss of Graham, but his play greatly strengthened the Saints offensive line.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Max Unger is the Saints Player of Day 60
Continue reading...
