As we're looking to make sense of this trade, I think one thing that's got to be factored in is that this move is not just about the here and now -- it's about the future as well.
For everyone who's decrying this move, saying that this is going to affect our identity as a run first team -- let's be completely honest with ourselves for a second. How much longer is Marshawn Lynch going to continue to truly be Beast Mode? 1 to 2 years perhaps? Yes, Lynch is a special back -- an elite back -- one of the very best to every play the game. But the facts are he turns 29 here next month and that 30 is the usual magic number for running backs. We saw first hand how quickly that slide occurs with Shawn Alexander. I'm not saying that going to happen with Lynch this year or even next. It will eventually happen though and history says in terms of RB's, the slide is generally pretty quick. With the way Lynch runs, we're very much on borrowed time in Seattle. The clock is going to strike midnight and the coach turn in to a pumpkin at some point. Nobody knows when that's going to happen exactly but when it does, this offense will look radically different (and not in a good way) if it ultimately fails to improve, diversify, and change.
The bottom line is that this team and this offense needs to continue to evolve and grow. Russell Wilson is the future of this team and barring catastrophic injury to either party or a Percy Harvin-esque blow out and escort out of town, I would say the Wilson to Graham connection is one that should be in place for at least the next 5-7 years or so. Wilson has got to have more weapons around him or he's going to get killed.
In the Super Bowl, we all saw what Russell Wilson can do with a tall receiver who can go up for the jump ball. Chris Matthews performance in the SB ... coupled with Gronkowski's performance on the other side were shining examples of what elite height (coupled with elite speed and athleticism in Gronkowski's case) can do for a QB. And in Jimmy Graham, Russell Wilson now has a guy who brings those same basic elements Gronkowski does to the offense.
I'm not saying I don't have my reservations -- I most certainly do. I'm saying I'm very intrigued by this move and am very curious to see what the final product will look like on the field.