Brandon Graham named All-Pro Second Team

Submitted by Billy Ray Valentine on

LINK

 

Graham, 28, had the best season of his career in 2016. He finished the year with 5½ sacks and probably should have had more. According to ProFootballFocus, he had 17 quarterback hits and 59 quarterback hurries this year. PFF ranked him as the best 4-3 defensive end in the NFL.

 

In addition to his ability as a pass rusher, Graham forced two fumbles, recovered one, and he was the Eagles' best end in the run game. He finished the year with 59 tackles.

 

For those who have followed Graham's NFL career, you will recognize this news as both validation and redemption.  It was not long ago that Brandon Graham labeled himself a "bust."

 

Also worth noting is Brandon Graham is not currently going to the Pro Bowl. This anomaly largely fits with the trajectory of Brandon's college and NFL reputation, in which Michigan and Eagles fans recognize his great play, but others not so much.

 

Being named an All-Pro after not making it of the Pro Bowl is a fitting way from Graham to cap off a stellar season. His outstanding play may not have made him popular among fans of other teams that voted for Pro Bowlers, but it definitely made an impression on those who watch the game more closely.

 

**We all hope Brandon Graham's 2017 prediction at the 0:37 mark in the video at the top of the main csnphilly article comes true**

 

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Billy Ray Valentine

January 8th, 2017 at 12:22 PM ^

I concede that some idiots (lifelong Eagles fan here, so I can confidently state "idiot Eagles fan is a tautology) continue to pick nits and complain about BG.  I think it's because his sack numbers have never been astronomical.  That said, my impression is that most fans and local Philly media, both tough groups to please in their own right, have recognized BG's increasingly strong play.  Graham is stout against the run, consistently pressures the QB, and is a constant threat to force fumbles.  

 

My sense is that BG is a team leader, and fans would be quite upset if his playing time was curtailed.

Joined: 02/04/2012

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Rodriguesqe

January 8th, 2017 at 12:04 PM ^

Awesome to see him turn it around. He was too good here not to produce in the NFL.

The slow trickle of Michigan guys going to the league ends this year. It'll be good to have a bigger presence again.

Joined: 12/29/2013

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Ronnie Kaye

January 8th, 2017 at 2:10 PM ^

Hell of a rebound from some early struggles. While he never could have been reasonably tagged as a "bust," Philly fans were once pretty upset that they took him over JPP. I'd say now you could call that a wash, which says a lot for Graham.

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