I'm liking this on those quick slants when we need 7-9 yards.
I still don't blame Bevell for lining up Graham as a traditional TE. I think Graham could be devastating there, especially in the red zone, where we've had the most problems. If Graham was split out 70% of the time, the goes inline to "block" and actually go out for a pass, no one is going to believe it.
The most obvious play that illustrates this was the last year John Carlson was here. Remember that play that Carlson acted like he was going to block, then "fell down" and got back up, in the end zone, all alone ? Hass hit him for an easy TD. Why can't we see more of that fun stuff ?
I remember as a LBer, it was tough to defend good TE's. They were taller than you to start. If you thought they were going out for a pass, and took a drop step, that guy kept coming to the 2nd level and flat backed you. Your momentum is already going backwards. Conversely, if the TE blocks down and you fill on it, then the TE flares up and runs by you for a route, well now you're playing catch up, from behind on a guy taller than you. You really have to be on it to play a guy like Graham, if he's playing well and lined up inline.