Even before Jimmy Graham became a Seahawk I was a fan.

But I’m even more so now.

Graham was the tight end on my fantasy football team. What made that even better was New Orleans Saints’ Drew Brees was my quarterback. Every time they connected, which was a lot, my team flourished.

I was so excited when he was traded to Seattle. Like everyone else, my thoughts were, “If we only had him at the 2-yard line in the Super Bowl.”

But I was extremely disappointed. Seattle that first year could not figure out how to use him. I ended up dropping Graham as my tight end because they didn’t throw to him enough.

Each year he has been with the Seahawks his numbers have improved. And after watching him in practice during training camp last week I’m hoping this could be the year offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell finally figures it out. Onlookers certainly can see the tremendous trust quarterback Russell Wilson has developed in Graham. On one pass play in the red zone Wilson hit Graham with a pass with three defenders right on him. Graham jogged back to the huddle with a huge grin on his face, as Coach Pete Carroll beamed.

Wilson was so happy he jogged over and did a chest bump with Graham. Wilson had to catch some air to do it, as Graham is about 10 inches taller. But what really endured me to Graham was what he did after practice was over.

It was really hot, so most of the starters just left the field. That was disappointing as autographs are the reason most people even go to training camp.

Second-year running back Alex Collins signed autographs, along with rookie RB Chris Carson, who signed my Seahawks cap, and rookie lineman Jordan Roos.

As Graham walked away, the crowd started yelling out, “Jim-my, Jim-my, Jim-my, Jim-my.”

He came over and started signing, and he kept signing – he was the last player to leave the field.

Even though someone else has him on their fantasy team, I hope he has an amazing year. I’d much rather the Seahawks have a great year than my fantasy football team.

Some other thoughts about the training camp.

•Wilson looks good. He has shed some pounds. Every time he ran the ball he took it all the way to The House. I love the way he leads by example.

•The running back situation looks good. Thomas Rawls looks healthy with a great mix of power and speed. Eddie Lacy is a power back like Marshawn Lynch who doesn’t like to go down on first contact. C.J. Prosise looks really fast and can catch the ball. Here’s hoping they can get some lanes to run in from the offensive line.

•Wide receiver Paul Richardson can dance. He’s got the moves on and off the field.

•The team looked very positive. Lots of high fives, chest bumping, cheering each other on, etc. This was the day after the fight between defensive lineman Frank Clark and offensive lineman Germain Ifedi so that was good to see.

If you get the chance to go to training camp, do it. It’s like spring training in baseball. It’s fun to see the players up close. I felt like a kid taking pictures of Seahawk legends like Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. I can’t wait for the season to start.

Overtime: Did you know two of Carroll’s sons coach for the team? And that the Seahawks have a booster club that started when they did in 1976?

-Steve Powell is the managing editor of The Marysville Globe-The Arlington Times.

Second-year wide receiver Tanner McEvoy looks like he’s trying to plead his case with Coach Pete Carroll.

Hitting the tackling sled is an important part of practice.

Eddie Lacy shows why the Seahawks selected him as the power back to replace Marshawn Lynch.

Earl Thomas works on a drill with Richard Sherman.

Richard Sherman gives his patented stare down.

Tanner McEvoy talks with Coach Pete Carroll during warm-up drills.

Linemen practice their techniques.

Russell Wilson waits for the snap from center.

Kam Chancellor works on his agility.

Paul Richardson shows he’s got the dance moves to go along with his shifty moves on the field.

Seattle’s offense takes a breather on the hot day.

Fans try to get the attention of second-year running back Alex Collins to get his autograph.

Second-year defensive tackle Shanell Jenkins walks out on the field before practice begins.

10-year defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin checks in with coaches at the start of practice.

Players seek out water bottles near the end of practice.