Graham: Right now, I'm a bust
Brandon Graham knows what fans think of him, and he's embracing it.
Graham: Right now, I'm a bust
Jonathan Tamari
Brandon Graham knows what fans think of him, and he's embracing it.
"I haven’t (done) nothing really," Graham said today after the Eagles first full-team practice of the year. "Right now, I’m a bust, so I’m going to deal with that. I’m a bust and I’m going to keep being a bust, even when I make plays, I’m going to still act like I’m a bust, you know what I’m saying?"
Graham was clearly using the criticism he has faced during his first two seasons to fuel him for what he -- and the team -- hope is a breakout third year for the 2010 first round draft pick. Graham hardly played last season after having microfracture knee surgery to help recovery from a torn ACL his rookie year. That left him with three sacks, all in his first season, to show for a pass rusher that the Eagles traded up to draft.
"Just going through that whole thing last year, not playing, I just grew as a person, that was number one," Graham said. "I've moved on from it now it’s time for me to defend myself."
He said he feels more confident in his repaired knee and brought his weight down to 265, from a high of 285 last season. With Jason Babin away and missing the voluntary camp, Graham got some snaps with the first team defense.
Graham played in just three games last year. Twice he dressed but didn't get on the field. Now, more than a year removed from his knee injury, Graham faces a make-or-break season. Several people within the organization have said they have high hopes for Graham, but that he has something to prove this year.
Devon Still is the furthest thing from Cox, and Graham was rated higher by some scouts and the ones who had JPP any higher than Graham had him one slot higher on the DE boards...give the kid a chance— chrisr- i'm not saying still is as good as cox. but he might end up that way. the point is that they could have stockpiled picks and traded down for a cheaper, close to as good option. instead they trade up to make a splash to get the media and fans off their back. there's a reason NE has been dominant for years now... they stockpile later round picks. the eagles refuse to do that and miss value in the later rounds consistently. in fact, they miss value in the first round pretty consistently too. — tockeyhockey
- then they screwed up twice. odrick is a nice player and will have a better career than graham. he's also more versatile and a better all around athlete.— tockeyhockey
- If Graham has a semi-successful year (7 sacks, 10 tackles-for-loss), the Eagles could be the best pass rushing team the league has seen in years! Cole, Babin, Graham, Curry, Tapp and Hunt make for some serious pass-rush potential at DE. And that not counting the Fletcher, Jenkins and the rest of the DT's! It could be ridiculous this year!— MrMiles1
- Dont take it out on the kid because they didnt take Earl Thomas. We all know they should have picked him, but go back and compare the Hall of Famer JPP and Graham as rookies, pretty similar stats.— FABER
- This comment has been deleted. — bedpan
- Are you serious? Our offense made JPP look pedestrian in the 2 games they played them. Had the defense held up in the first game, a W. Vick was lighting those guys up and Shady was running wild. The second game Vince Young made JPP and that defense look silly. What was it a 15 play drive? Why are you on this board, maybe you should surf on over to the NY Giants board since you're riding their jock so hard.
- I am not too concerned about his ability to perform. He was a beast at UM and was solid in the few games he played in the NFL. The thing I am worried about is his knee. People don't recover too well from those kind of surgeries. Think about if you had a surgery like that, would you operate the same way? Let along play professional football. In my eyes, this is Graham's last chance with the Eagles.— penncrow19
- This is the bunch of fans calling for the Eagles to draft Vontaze Burfict. "to take another undersized defensive end with a "high motor." At the time, no one was saying that Graham was such a great player. Most of us wanted to see them take Thomas to replace Dawkins. Would have settled for Pouncey at center. Pierre Paul was projected better than Graham. But the geniuses of South Philly knew better and wasted yet another pick." -- this is pretty much what it comes down to -- the quintessential idiot Eagles fan comment. How many times does it need to be pointed out that Graham wasn't undersized? Look at the top 4-3 DEs in the league, and other than a handful he is about the same size. He was highly touted, and thought to be a first half of the 1st round pick. "Most of use wanted" -- who cares what you wanted? The Eagles don't poll fans to figure out who to draft. But you're right -- they should have taken one of the other players in the draft who has since proven to be highly effective. The stupidity knows no limits, truly. Let me interpret Graham's quote: f you.
— Murrayman - By saying "most of us wanted" I meant the thinking at the time, not hindsight. They still need a safety. Reminds me of when they dumped Trotter with no replacement. Could have had Thomas, he was the pick after Graham. But when they took a 3-4 OLB to play 4-3 end (again, repeating earlier mistakes) and we watch Pierre Paul tear it up, it sticks in the Eagles beak.
- Watching the Eagles draft Curry should be motivation enough. I think Graham will do very well. I like what he said about feeling comfortable with the knee. Graham on the left end, Curry on the right end, Eagles should be good at DE for years.
- The obvious pick when the Eagles moved up to get Graham was Earl Thomas, the safety from Texas, who is now an All Pro with Seattle. Does any team you know need a quality safety?— Robman
- tockeyhockey...I agree with you. The difference between Cox and Still is not that substantial. I actually thought Still was the best DT in the draft. I believe Still brings slightly less speed and agility but more importantly, more power. How many speed DT's are out there tearing up the league? Cullen Jenkins is the only guy that comes to mind. The power guys like Ngata and Suh are the ones who more often are difference makers in the league. That's why Still and Poe are going to have more consistent careers. Cox may post better numbers initially, until teams properly prep for his speed.— MrMiles1
- Giants wanted Graham too. He was rated ahead of JPP.— friedmozzarela
- Robman....great point. The Eagles just over thought that pick. I don't understand why they missed on Thomas. He was the best player available AND fit a team need.— MrMiles1
