Brandon Graham named NFC Defensive Player-of-the-Week for the first time in his 13-Year Career
This is Brandon Graham's first player-of-the-week honor in his 13 year career. Graham had 2.5 sacks, 6 tackles, a forced fumble, two TFLs, five QB hits, and a pass knockdown this past Sunday against Washington and his old friend Carson Wentz. Arguably the most impressive part of his stat line was that BG only played 35% of the Eagles' defensive snaps, or 27 of 77 snaps.
The URL correctly labels BG as an "Eagles Legend." BG likely will not end up in Canton, but he will go down as an all-time Eagle, even if he never plays another snap. As a Michigan and Eagles fan, it gives me endless joy to watch BG play out his under-the-radar incredible career. Maybe the Eagles will get him another ring before he hangs up his cleats, or, more accurately, maybe BG will get the Eagles another ring before riding off into the sunset.
https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/eagles-legend-brandon-graham-named-player-week
Question for the Board - what other former Michigan player enjoyed a run similar to BG; not necessarily an NFL HOFer, but an all-time great and fan favorite for their respective team.
September 28th, 2022 at 3:56 PM ^
Obligatory.
https://youtu.be/KsG5qZsORLM
September 28th, 2022 at 4:05 PM ^
I just saw (on MNF) Amani Toomer is the NY Giants all time leading receiver yardage wise. He had a solid NFL career without too many accolades.
September 28th, 2022 at 4:09 PM ^
Toomer is not just the all-time Giants receiving yard leader, but by a large margin. I had no idea.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/career-receiving.htm
September 28th, 2022 at 4:17 PM ^
Thanks for the link! He pretty much owns all the big records by large margins. Catches, yards, and touchdowns.
September 28th, 2022 at 6:43 PM ^
TD’s, too
and Chris Calloway at #8 on their all-time list. Another sleeper from Michigan
September 28th, 2022 at 4:12 PM ^
I don't have names in mind, but I would imagine a fair number of Michigan offensive linemen have had very good NFL careers, but because of the nature of that position they don't get much press.
September 28th, 2022 at 11:00 PM ^
Quite true. Though a few, like Steve Hutchinson, *did* get a lot of press. Steve's in the Hall.
September 28th, 2022 at 4:19 PM ^
Larry Foote was a favorite of mine who did some damage in the NFL
September 28th, 2022 at 4:26 PM ^
He and Victor Hobson for the Jets had solid long careers as LBs in the 2000's. I say long careers because LBs don't last too long in the NFL. 10 years I would consider long. It also reminds me that when a player stays on the same team for the majority of their career, I seem to remember them more.
September 28th, 2022 at 10:59 PM ^
David Harris was great for the Jets, too. I've tried to find this and can't, but I remember seeing Pro Football Focus list some of the most dominant seasons by defenders a few years back. The most dominant season they had graded was Darrell Revis... but right behind Revis, from the same year, was Revis' teammate David Harris.
September 28th, 2022 at 4:29 PM ^
I bet Graham gets in the Hall. I mean if Joe Klecko gets there, BG should absolutely be there.
September 28th, 2022 at 4:41 PM ^
Graham has had a good pro football career - but it's very hard to make a HOF case for him. He has one Pro Bowl and one all-Pro team (2nd team, at that) appearance in his career.
FWIW, Klecko had more than that - 4 Pro Bowls and 3 all-Pro Teams (2 1st team).
Graham is more your classic case of ...... good enough to make the team's HOF, but not good enough to be considered for Pro Football's HOF. There's no shame at all in that, of course. As an analogy, isn't Graham a lot like Robert Porcher, but not with nearly the same career peak Porcher had?
September 28th, 2022 at 5:09 PM ^
Does Magnus get a vote?
September 28th, 2022 at 6:38 PM ^
Just look for the crystal ball…
September 28th, 2022 at 4:51 PM ^
I would have lost that bet.
September 28th, 2022 at 5:35 PM ^
Harbaugh
September 28th, 2022 at 5:37 PM ^
Congratulations Magnus!
September 28th, 2022 at 7:42 PM ^
As a Wolverine and Cowboy fan, it has begrudged me, as well as forced admiration on the fact that he’s still there and has ALWAYS been a problem. Truly the prize of the RR era and I never despised him sacking Romo or Dak bc we usually win 🤷🏽♂️
September 28th, 2022 at 7:45 PM ^
And I’ll say it for you...has a CHIP so he’s still boss on our franchise just like Eli 😞
September 28th, 2022 at 10:07 PM ^
Current Morgan State WR coach Derrick Alexander had a pretty solid and not entirely unremarkable NFL career. Not Toomer or Graham level, but not too shabby either. I would put Leroy Hoard in the good-but-sub-elite mix as well. I'll even throw in "silent" safety Jarrod Wilson and (former Bird) Jason Avant on my list of undersung NFL Wolverines.
Looking good Billy Ray.
September 29th, 2022 at 12:14 AM ^
Feeling good, Louis.
Avant had a short but beloved run in Philly.
September 28th, 2022 at 10:28 PM ^
13 years? Damn, I’m getting old. If you would have asked me how long ago he played in AA I would have said 7-8 years ago before I really thought about it and did the math.
September 28th, 2022 at 10:31 PM ^
David Harris of the New York Jets.
September 28th, 2022 at 11:05 PM ^
I remain delighted that several guys we watched put together journeyman QB careers. Chad Henne, at 37, remains the backup QB for Patrick Mahomes in KC, and contributed key plays in the playoffs when called upon. Todd Collins had a 15 year career mostly as a backup. And Drew Henson's predecessor Tom Brady spent a couple years as a backup in New England as well.
September 29th, 2022 at 7:05 AM ^
Steve Breaston. And the original #1 himself, AC.
September 29th, 2022 at 9:21 AM ^
Greatest Defensive player I have seen at Michigan during my time as a fan
September 29th, 2022 at 12:38 PM ^
1. Charles Woodson
2 a, b, c: Hutch, Maurice Hurst Jr, and Brandon Graham
September 29th, 2022 at 10:22 AM ^
Woodley