Graham might not play again this year
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Graham might not play again this year
Brandon Graham, last year's number one pick, indicated Wednesday that coaches might hold him out of the Eagles' remaining games as he comes back from microfracture surgery last December.
"I figure, it’s three games, four games left, they want me for the long haul, so it’s probably like – next year," Graham said. He has been on the 53-man roster since week 9, but has only played in two games -- Nov. 7 and 13. He has practiced but hasn't played a snap since then (he was inactive three times and dressed but didn't get on the field against Seattle).
It's worth noting that Graham doesn't necessarily know what his coaches have planned and the Eagles have not officially ruled him out. Graham thought he was going to play Sunday and was told before warm ups that he would be inactive. Coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that Graham looked better last week than the week before -- though his decision on the player didn't reflect that. Graham was inactive against the Dolphins. The week before he at least dressed, even though he didn't play.
Graham said he feels healthy and that he could play, but that coaches probably don't want to risk further injury, especially with the way Steve Smith's season suddenly ended. The receiver was also coming back from microfracture surgery.
"I'm disappointed, but at the same time, I'm not really worried about it because I understand what they’re trying to do," Graham said.
He is well aware, though, of how his injury looks to fans who are already worried that last year's top pick may have been a mistake, especially when they see defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul tear up offenses for the Giants. Pierre-Paul was drafted two slots after Graham.
"That boy been balling," he said. "I can’t say nothing, other than control what I can and that’s get better and live up to my expectations."
Graham knows Pierre-Paul's numbers: 12.5 sacks, a big blocked field goal last week.
"It’s tough for me going through it because I’ve got to live with it," Graham said, referring to the expectations and comparisons. At times, he doesn't even want to go out because he knows the questions he will face from fans.
Graham had three sacks as a rookie, but his second season was effectively lost when he tore his ACL Dec. 12, 2010. Most players need a year to come back from microfracture surgery. Smith was also a shell of his old self this year.
Graham said he will continue to practice and hopes to play, but isn't sure if he will get another chance this year.
"If I make it to the playoffs, I’m sure I’ll play then, but right now, I just see that they’ll probably say that there’s not a point even for him to get out there," he said.
The Eagles may need an additional defensive end this week because Darryl Tapp is dealing with a broken rib and coach Andy Reid said he might not be able to play. If Graham sits again, Juqua Parker would be in line to take Tapp's place, assuming Phillip Hunt remains part of the rotation as well.
Other injuries:
-- Michael Vick (ribs) was sore from the game Sunday and coach Andy Reid did not say for sure that the quarterback would practice. "We'll see," he said, but indicated that he's confident Vick will be able to play Sunday.
-- Todd Herremans (ankle), Jeremy Maclin (hamstring) and Cullen Jenkins (groin) are other injuries to watch. They participated in the morning walk through but Reid again said "we'll see" whether they all practice today. Maclin could not finish the game Sunday, though Herremans and Jenkins did not miss any time.
Giants also outsmarted the Eagles when Andy drafted that sorry Matt McCoy and left Justin Tuck on the board for the Giants. Graham will never make it!!— egulman- another just plain DUMB decision by unqualified howie roseman. the eagles will never win as long as he is their GM, regardless of whether reid gets the sack this season
— oliver north 
Comment removed.- Andy ousted Tom Heckert so that his "yes-man," attorney, Howie Roseman, could be promoted to GM. That move absurd. What could an attorney know about drafting pro football players? About as much as an offensive line coach knows about coordinating a defense.
Reid has messed up every phase of the program, including draft picks, coaching appointments, free-agent signings, misuse of schemes, on-field management, locker-room management, play-calling, on-field adjustments, disregard for value of certain positions (including, linebacker, kick-returner), and most importantly, Reid does not use general common sense.
I'll give him high marks for being thorough. He's missed nothing.
When Reid still had a few Ray Rhodes players on his roster, he was able to beat the bad teams, but now he can't even beat them. - All due respect Lonewolf but Roseman is an accountant and he's Banner's boy. Heckert would still be here if it was up to Andy.
- Sorry Lonewolf...the Tonner did some research and found out he is a lawyer. The Tonner just assumed that since he was involved with Team Salary Cap, he was an a bean counter. Please accept the Tonner's most sincere apology.
- This is assuming the Eagles could have developed players (Tuck, Pierre-Paul) the same as the Giants. I don't have faith that they could have done that. I think we make a ton of stupid picks in the draft (some of the offensive picks have been OK) but I also believe we have a coaching staff that is incapable of turning those draft picks into productive NFL players. Maybe Casey Matthews could have been a decent 4-3 LB. But in this defense, with no veteran LBs to help and poor coaching, he was doomed from the start. Hell we sign a CB that some said was the 2nd or 3rd best in the league a year ago and make him look like Dimitri Patterson. — SPE
- Bingo! Therein lay one of the major ingrediants that has doomed the Eagles this season. That has always been my belief that the Eagles staff are incapable of TEACHING. Which is essentially what a coach is supposed to be and do. It can clearly be seen that many of those players have not been taught proper fundamentals and technique. It's not the players, it's the coaches who, in turn, are hired either by Reid or with Reid's approval. I cannot wait until the Eagles unload themselves of this assassin. — essell
- Some of the Offensive picks were ok?? LOL come on brother. Im following you right until you uncork that one. Shady Maclin DeSean, Celek, Herreman Avant Kelce come on man.
- In other words, the Eagles have no faith in their medical team and at evaluating injuries.— ej610
- This draft pick sums up the Eagles ability to find talent in the first round.— Apollo Creed
- or any round for that matter, at least on that side of the ball. daniel teo-nothing came out of this draft, too. — coloradoeagle
- How are the Eagles going to go on without him for the rest of the season.... We need him for the playoffs!!!!!!— shmu u 92
- Comment removed.
