By all accounts, Brandon Graham seems like a good kid. Despite what was technically a holdout likely engineered by his agent, Graham still said the right things and exuded all of that youthful enthusiasm that comes from a star player with a good head on his shoulders. He knows he has talent, and he wants to prove to the coaches and vets that he belongs on the team.
According to the club, the Eagles #1 pick (13th overall) has agreed to terms on a 5-year contract. A monetary figure has yet to be released, but he is just the 7th first rounder to sign yet this season.
While Graham has been anxious to get to Lehigh and begin to practice, Andy Reid has been just as eager for the rookie defensive end to make it to camp. His target date was this weekend, to coincide with the arrival of the vets, so this is perfect timing.
“It feels good,” said Graham in a statement released by the Eagles. “Because I really wanted to get to training camp and Coach Reid really wanted me to get to camp and now it’s time to show them why they picked me. I have a lot of work to do, but I’m ready to go.”
With the rookie set to arrive in camp sometime tomorrow, the work begins for him. Not only do the Eagles have very high hopes for him, but many league experts expect him to make quite the splash this season. While undersized for his position, his above-average work ethic and speed has turned heads.
There’s nothing better than seeing a kid straight out of college being thrilled to get on the field and play the game he loves. His enthusiasm is infectious, and on his Twitter account tonight he spread some of that love to his followers: “Thanks everybody for congratulating me and I can’t wait to go out there tomorrow and get to work!! I’m about to cause havoc and kill QB’s!!”
He’s got the goods and the right attitude, but can his mastery of football translate to the professional level? The Eagles sure seem to think so, otherwise they wouldn’t have traded up 11 spots to get him. If he can bring speed and vigor to the Birds’ stagnant pass rush, then this will go down as a successful pick. I, for one, can not wait to see what this kid can do on the field.
