How Brandon Graham's versatility is paying off for Eagles defense
How Brandon Graham's versatility is paying off for Eagles defense originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Without Jalen Carter against the Chargers on Monday night, the Eagles had 37-year-old Brandon Graham play the bulk of his season-high 30 snaps at defensive tackle.
Fellow DT Moro Ojomo has a pretty good theory how Graham is able to hold up inside despite being undersized for the position.
That's a strong son of a gun," Ojomo said. I don't know what he benched at his combine but he can move some weight around in that weight room. Yeah, I think that when you look at him on the outside, you see him dominate (offensive) tackles with strength. I think it all translates."
That's a pretty good guess from Ojomo because back at the 2010 NFL Combine, Graham put up 31 reps in the bench press, putting him in the 96th percentile.
Of course, that was 16 years ago and Graham has since had a very full and accomplished career in the NFL as an edge rusher. But a few weeks after Graham came out of retirement, the Eagles needed him to slide inside last week and will probably need him to continue doing it until Carter returns from his shoulder injuries later this season.
And Graham's fine with that.
I feel comfortable," Graham said. It's just certain stuff if I am going to be in the middle, you gotta make sure you hold your ground and make sure you have the right technique, especially when you get double-teamed, stuff like that. It's just all about using your hands. My tricep, everything feels great. I just feel like you gotta continue to keep working the technique. It's just a daily walk with it."
The Eagles didn't just put Graham at defensive tackle during the game and wish for the best. As Hard Knocks revealed, Graham has been with the defensive tackles in the meeting room during the week. And before Monday night's loss to the Chargers, he warmed up exclusively with the Eagles' interior defensive linemen.
Graham said it has been cool" to be in the defensive tackle meeting room and said he has a good relationship with defensive line coach Clint Hurtt. Normally, the defensive tackles and outside linebackers meet together and then the outside backers go upstairs to their own meeting room at the NovaCare Complex.
These days, Graham doesn't leave with them. He stays behind with Carter, Ojomo, Jordan Davis, Byron Young and others.
As Vic Fangio pointed out on Thursday, Jaelan Phillips got some reps inside during Monday's game too but they came on pass rush situations. That's not a new thing. We've seen edge rushers get snaps inside on passing downs for years.
The difference with Graham on Monday night was he was in there on early downs too.
Yeah, BG is the ultimate pro," Fangio said. He's got strength. He knows how to play blocks. I think he'll be better this week moving forward."
Listed at 6-foot-2, 265 pounds, Graham is obviously undersized to play defensive tackle in the NFL. His strength allows him to hold up but his size and quickness can be a weapon at the position too.
While Ojomo is 292 pounds, he's considered undersized for a DT too. But he sees the benefit.
There's a new renaissance of DTs that maybe aren't the largest," Ojomo said. They've been able to hold their own and I think it creates different problems. I think that's kind of the thought process with BG as well."
Graham retired in the offseason but came back around the bye week and has played in the last five games since returning. Before Monday night's game, he had played a total of 32 snaps but was able to play 30 in the overtime game on Monday night.
While Graham expected to be sore the day after that game, he was a bit surprised he felt so good.
Trying to do everything I can for the team," Graham said. I'm excited because I know that we got four games left. Raiders is this week. Excited to keep chipping away and keep building that teamwork that we're going to get done."