The Philadelphia Eagles officially announced the signing of 37-year-old defensive end Brandon Graham on Tuesday, bringing him out of retirement.
Eliot Shorr-Parks has six thoughts on BG's return.
** If this is what Graham wants, I am happy he is getting it. It always seemed like he wasn’t ready to retire and he still felt he could play. The retirement felt more like a victim of circumstances than a decision based on Graham not wanting to play any more. He had a story book ending and the team wanted to play younger players. It felt at the time like that is why he retired instead of losing his desire to play.
** Graham played at a high level last season. If he can play at that level for the Eagles the remainder of this season that will be a major boost to an EDGE group that needs help.
** Of course that is the main question — can Graham help? He is 37-years old, tore his tricep twice last season, didn’t have a training camp and hasn’t played in a game this season. It would be extremely impressive if Graham could come in and contribute. Especially if it is right away. But asking Graham to be the difference-making player they need feels like an unfair ask of Graham.
** This can’t be the only move at EDGE. They still need more help if they really want a Super Bowl caliber pass rush from the EDGE.
** Graham wouldn’t be coming back if he wasn’t going to play. When Nolan Smith returns the rotation at EDGE, unless they make another trade, should be: Smith, Hunt, Uche and Graham. That is certainly a unit with lots of question marks.
** There is definitely an aspect of this that has to do with the locker room. The Eagles thought they had a veteran voice in the EDGE room with Za’Darius Smith until he retired. Much like asking Graham to be an impact player on the field is a big ask, asking him to come in and be a locker room leader might also be a big ask. If the Eagles need help in the locker room they need that to come from players who are already there, not Graham.