-- It didn't take long for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his new 6-7 receiving target to start channeling a connection with each other on the field.
With tight end Jimmy Graham in the fold, he could very well be the Packers' biggest -- no pun intended -- free agent acquisition of the offseason, and that possibility is already looming large after three practices.
"He's always going to throw you open," Graham told Michael Cohen of The Athletic  after Saturday's practice. "He's always going to throw to the open spot. He's going to protect you and he's going to protect that ball. I know when he leads me out there that I can just run right through it."
Graham, essentially a giant wide receiver who will line up in the slot for a majority of his reps on offense, is already well familiar with Rodgers' connection with his previous favorite target, Jordy Nelson.
"I've got no worries in the world because I know he's the eyes in the back of my head. -- and we'll just keep working on that."
After the first padded practice on Saturday, the defense has stood out prominently under new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. But even skilled corners and athletic linebackers can't slow down something that purely thrives off of mental connection between passer and catcher.
While Graham is more of a red zone threat -- he caught all 10 of his touchdowns last season with the Seattle Seahawks in the red zone -- there won't be any difficulty in finding a role for him between the 20s.
With Rodgers, there's little worry in being led into the middle of the field where a 6-4, 260-pound linebacker lurks.
"It's not him getting on my page it's me getting on his page, you know?
Between the two, a combined 23 years of experience -- 14 for Rodgers, nine for Graham -- that could amplify every intricacy of not only the playbook but how well Graham does what he's asked to ensure they can succeed as a duo. Whether it's understanding verbiage, timing in routes or learning every facet of the playbook to tune himself with Rodgers.
Graham, 31, would be able to offer the Packers even more of a bargain than the initial three-year, $30 million dollar deal they signed him for in March if he can master his role.
"He's been in this league a long time, knows too much, and I've got to just catch up and just take every day, learn every day and make sure I'm supposed to be where I'm at so I can make that catch and make that big play."
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