Hello from Bleeding Green Nation

by jdcvr6 on May 25, 2010 10:21 AM CDT

Hey everyone, longtime Philadelphia Eagles fan here from BGN. As all of you know, the Eagles traded up to the 13th pick in last months NFL draft to acquire Brandon Graham. I made a fanpost on Bleeding Green Nation back in September saying that I thought the Eagles would draft him in the first round and everyone laughed at me. I was so happy when we picked him and I think he is going to do wonders for our defense. I just have a couple questions about the promising young star.

I am a HUGE fan of Brandon Graham and I think he will end our search for a bookend opposite Trent Cole. He actually reminds me of Cole a lot with his non-stop motor, mix of power and finesse moves, and quick first step. In watching a lot of his games this year, there wasn't much that I didn't like about him. So I come to you guys.

1. Would you say he is better against the run or the pass?

2. Is there anything that he typically struggles with?

3. "Draft experts" said that they were concerned with his "midget arms" and the fact that he will get swallowed up by bigger offensive tackles in the NFL. Do you guys buy into any of this or are you confident, like myself, that his college dominance will translate to the NFL on sundays?

I would love it if you guys can give me some feedback on these questions and hopefully #55 (now #54) will be making plays like this for Philly.

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I'm no scout, but I'll give it a go...

As for #1, I’d say he’s better against the pass. However, he has always had a knack for disrupting plays in the backfield, run or pass. You mentioned his non-stop motor, which is one of his biggest strengths.

Can’t say on #2, I’d probably fail miserably at trying to identify something.

You can see the results of #3 already just across your state, with another former Michigan defensive end in LaMarr Woodley. There were many of the same concerns with him, yet Woodley has developed into a legitimate NFL starter and star-in-the-making.

Just keep Graham away from Matthew Stafford and I’ll be happy.

Detroit4Lyfe

by Rob Rogacki on May 25, 2010 12:29 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks for the input

but regarding your last statement, I can’t promise anything haha.

"Dude what the hell do you mean save my face? My face is fine." - CNCITINFO

by jdcvr6 on May 25, 2010 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions

A little detail...

1. He’s equally good at both, and that means he’s awesome. Graham was a constant disruption for opposing running games in 2009 and he came in 5th on the team in tackles from the DE position. You don’t get 64 tackles from that spot just being a pass rusher. the other thing is with Graham leading the nation in TFL with 26 and only 11.5 sacks, you can tell he was in the backfield a lot.

2. Yeah, there’s not much for anyone to say on this.

3. I don’t get this. Somehow because he’s an inch shorter than one or two dudes all of a sudden he can’t play football. I remember a conversation two years ago about Jake Long where people said his arms weren’t long enough. I mean WTF? All this height nonsense has led to people asking if he can keep his hands high enough to ward off blockers. Really? One of Graham’s strengths is controlling the engagement with his own hands, forcing down the tackle’s and disposing of him. Graham absolutely dominated the Senior Bowl, destroying every sad fool who was supposed to “swallow” him with size and length. Instead they were embarrassed by his speed and strength.

Check this out for more details.

Maize n Brew
Because Football is Better with Beer

by Maize n Brew Dave on May 25, 2010 2:17 PM CDT reply actions

Completely agree with your last statement

I’m getting really tired of hearing people say he’s too small, since when is 268 pounds too small? If you just watch him play in the game against Iowa this year you see him DOMINATE Bryan Bulaga, who was regarded as one of the top OT’s in this years draft.

It was absolutely absurd that Graham wasn’t a first team all american, I meant to include that in my posting. Over Graham’s last two years at michigan, FOURTY PERCENT of his tackles came behind the line of scrimmage. That is an almost unreal amount. Your point about the supporting cast is also very important. Trent cole is without question our best defensive lineman and I think the best player on defense. There were games last year where he was double teamed every time he was on the field. That will be hard to do with a trent cole clone at the other end of the D-line. As you can tell I’m very excited to see what kind of impact he is gonna have for us. Thanks for the information and good luck next year.

"Dude what the hell do you mean save my face? My face is fine." - CNCITINFO

by jdcvr6 on May 25, 2010 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions

The one thing I would add about Brandon Graham

The best word that describes Brandon Graham is “relentless”. No doubt there have been a lot of great DEs in the NFL and many of them a great deal taller and bigger than Brandon Graham is. But I doubt Philly fans will be disappointed with his strength and motor.

He is relentless.

Make sure you have plenty of gurneys and paramedics on staff at the stadium on Sundays. Opposing QBs are going to need them.

Go Blue!

by markusr2007 on Jun 2, 2010 2:00 PM CDT reply actions