Will the Patriots put Aqib Talib on Jimmy Graham?

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Speaking at his morning press conference today, Bill Belichick talked the upcoming matchup with the Saints. Obviously, the topic of Saints tight end Jimmy Graham came up.

While Rob Gronkowski has received many accolades over his short career, Jimmy Graham has maybe been deserving of just as many. Graham is more of the role Aaron Hernandez played for the Patriots at the tight end position, as he can and will often line up all over the field. As a result of the tight end's versatility, it's extremely hard to cover him.





So, the question is, if corners have been covering him, is that a strategy the Patriots will employ?

Aqib Talib has generally been matched up on the opposing team's best receiver. The point can be argued that Graham is that player for the Saints.

Talib is no stranger to New Orleans, having played in their division when he was with the Buccaneers. Graham's not the only weapon the Saints have, they have many. I'd expect that Talib could draw a lot of Marques Colston, who can be just as dangerous. The Patriots will likely employ a strategy they've often used on players such as Graham, they will bump him on the line to knock him off his routes and likely give him a lot of double coverage. While I wouldn't be surprised to see a corner, or even Talib, lined up on Graham at times, I would doubt the Pats would do that exclusively.

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