Inside the Iggles
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Philadelphia Eagles: What’s going on with Brandon Graham?

By Geoffrey Knox

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Brandon Graham #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles is congratulated by his teammates after forcing a fumble late in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41-33. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Brandon Graham #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles is congratulated by his teammates after forcing a fumble late in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41-33. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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There’s no need for Philadelphia Eagles fans to be upset about Brandon Graham not registering a single sack so far in 2018. The guy wearing number 55 will be just fine.

Okay, be honest. How many times have you watched Super Bowl LII? On the first Sunday of 2018, fans of the Philadelphia Eagles‘ lives were changed forever, and that game gave us memories that will last for the rest of our lives. Just take Brandon Graham for instance.

Sure, there was Alshon Jeffery‘s touchdown catch, the ‘Philly Special’, Corey Clement‘s snag in the back of the end zone and Zach Ertz‘s dive that broke the plane of the goal line, but perhaps, it was Graham’s strip sack that did the New England Patriots in.

It was Graham’s strip-sack that ended a Patriots comeback attempt. It was that strip-sack that shifted the momentum permanently in Philly’s favor. It was that strip sack that allowed the Eagles to kick the field goal that would put them up by eight points.

That assured that the Patriots would need both a touchdown and a two-point conversion to tie the game. You know how things ended. Unfortunately, Graham hasn’t registered a sack in a game that has counted ever since.

Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.

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Graham has one more year remaining on his current deal and is making $8 million for the 2018 season. There’s been speculation as to whether or not Philly will extend him past this season with so many important players wanting to be signed to long-term deals.

Typically, players who are in a contract year explode. It’s been a slow start for Graham in 2018’s regular season, but Eagles fans shouldn’t worry. He’s going to be just fine. Much of what he does can’t be measured by sack totals alone.

He forces opposing offenses to pay him special attention. He forces teams to change blocking schemes, and even if he isn’t reaching the quarterback on every play, he’s often forcing the other team’s signal caller to get rid of the ball early or he’s creating opportunities for his teammates.

His nine-and-a-half sacks in 2017 were a personal best and led the team. Fear not Eagles fans. This slump won’t last for 16 weeks.

Here’s some encouragement:

Keep your head up boys and girls. There’s a lot of room on this team for improvement, and improve they shall.

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