Brandon Graham eager for 'big day' with pads
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Brandon Graham eager for 'big day' with pads
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – There are few Eagles more excited for hitting to begin on Saturday afternoon than Brandon Graham, the 2010 first-round pick who has underachieved in his first two seasons with the team. And after a particularly forgettable 2011, Graham views the start of hitting as the start of 2012.
“It’s a real big day,” Graham said after Saturday’s practice. “It’s going to be a real test for me. I’m hyped, excited for it.”
Graham impressed on the first day of camp, which he viewed as a testament to the shape that he’s in. The caveat, of course, is that most players look good in individual drills and without pads on. Graham obviously has talent; otherwise, he wouldn’t been drafted where he was. He needs to apply that talent, though, and that is what awaits this season.
“I look good when we’re doing it out in individual,” Graham said, “but when team comes, that’s where I need to get better at it.”
Graham has only 16 tackles and three sacks in two seasons, mostly because of a knee injury that eliminated almost the entire 2011 campaign. When Graham was asked for a breakout player on the Eagles this season, he quickly answered “Brandon Graham,” before letting out a hearty laugh.
But the enthusiasm for 2012 is palpable for Graham. He said he might run all the way to the tunnel in celebration of his first sack. Defensive coordinator Juan Castillo described Graham as motivated to prove naysayers incorrect in their assessments of him, a sentiment that Graham concurred with. But that is only meaningful if it is applied to the field, and Graham views the beginning of that process as Saturday’s first practice with pads.
“I know what I can do, and I know what I’m going to do,” Graham said. “I’d like to show it today because it’s a little glimpse of what I’m going to do this year.”
We shall see...— beegal99- hope he doesn't go and hurt Vick or any of our QB's trying to "prove himself"! Will be anxious to see him in regular season sacking opponents!— connorjr
- Having Brandon Graham develop into the stud we expected when he was drafted would be a great bonus. The line already looks solid but if he has a breakout year, it could reach spectacular. Babin, Cole and Cullen play at an All-Star level. Cox looks like a winner---at least in the eyes of the prognosticators. The journeymen are good enough to rotate through. I expect Patterson who is a decent lineman will be back sometime in October at the latest. If Graham plays at his college level, this line is going to be fearsome.— gotedge
- FAGETABOUTIT— ChrisE
Another shark in the water?- Nothing more dangerous than a man look'in to take food off another man's table! Go and get them Brandon - prove those naysayers wrong.
— Laughingaloud123 - BUST!!— Geno D
- Come sept.9 the Eagles will put to rest all your "BUST" predictions,Gina,is everyday your time of the month? — greensob
- Come sept.9 the Eagles will put to rest all your "BUST" predictions,Gina,is everyday your time of the month? — greensob
- has lost the benefit of the doubt. Bust until he proves he's anything else.— dragoon6
- Well, Graham on the first day of contact was magnificent. I saw Graham play at Michigan and today he looked like that kid again. Graham pretty much stood out in all of the contact drills. Now it's all about being consistent and duplicating his play at practice today throughout camp and into the season.
He looks healed, fit and ready to do some damage.
Graham, and Rookie Curry stood out today on the defensive line. The Offensive line in my opinion as a unit won today, they were pretty much dominating all drills this afternoon. As I said, consistency is what matters now, but for Graham this was a damn good start back to being a disruptive force.
By the way, Graham did sack Vick today, and managed another sack as well.
— Dexter - dexter: Thank you so much for the training camp report, since not one beat reporter has put out an article detailing the biggest day of the year thus far yet.
If you have time, please give some more training camp observations: How did Kendricks and Demeco look? Its Demeco's birthday today, How was he running?
also: your thoughts on Bryce Brown, who I have a feeling will be a top 10 back in 3 years!
btw, no one talks about it, and I know Kurt Coleman is penciled in as the starter, but I have a feeling that Atogwe is going to surprise alot of people AND have the best year out of all the safeties on this team. People will also be shocked to see how good DRC will look this year— johnGiam - Graham was and still is the worst first rd Eagles pick ever he will play out of his mind until the real games begin! Graham Michigan and the Big 10 were horsebleep that year! I bet he doesn't have 8 sacks and teams will run over the midget!— Sam 52
- Young man, you're just a rook. Worst pick ever??? Ha!Let me tell you about bad 1st picks;
Leroy Keyes ahead of OJ '69
John Reaves QB '72
Kevin Allen '85 convicted of rape at the shore
Lester Holmes '93 total bust.
Leonard Renfro '93 second bust
Bernard Williams '94 Couldn;t keep weed out his mouf
Mike Mamula '95 Nothin'
Fred X '01. 3rd & 46. Thats it.
Relax and give Graham another year.— drenner - PS...Forgot McDougle '03 — drenner
