In the NFL, you've got to strike while the iron is hot.
For Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Brandon Graham, the iron is nearly incandescent.
Graham, on the verge of unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career and slated to make his first start this season at outside linebacker against the Washington Redskins, has plenty of options ahead, including potentially resigning with the Birds. But, if the latest rumors are true, he may choose to test the free agent waters to see what's really out on the open market instead.
"It feels good, because at the end of the day I wasn't supposed to be here," Graham said of the team wanting him back, per Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. "I'm just happy I changed the opinions of a lot of people. I just kept focusing on what I needed to do and that's work hard and let everything fall into place."
The 26-year-old Graham has operated mostly in a back-up role behind the recently injured Trent Cole and Connor Barwin, but he's seen his snaps increase by 12 percent this season. He's got 5 1/2 sacks - tying his career high with two games remaining - 12 1/2 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles.
He's the kind of still-young, ascending player the Eagles usually value and look to sign in free agency. With first-round draft pick Marcus Smith II looking nowhere near ready to contribute meaningful snaps and Cole possibly on his last legs with the team, Graham has the kind of leverage few would have envisioned before this season.
Further complicating matters is that Graham could make more money playing with his hand in the dirt as a pure pass rusher for a team that runs a 4-3 defensive scheme. At the very least, the prospect of simply pinning his ears back and getting after the quarterback has to be appealing to a player drafted for his ability to rush the passer but, as a 3-4 outside linebacker the last two seasons, must also spend time dropping back into coverage as well.
"A 4-3 end - pass rushing is what you do," Graham said. "You stop the run, go get the quarterback. Now [as a 3-4 outside linebacker], you stop the run, stop some passes, and go get the quarterback. You just never know when your name's going to get called to go get the quarterback.
"But I think a 4-3 end, it's better because you're always going that way. You're never backing up."
Graham may have unknowingly pointed out exactly why the Eagles employ the 3-4 scheme - a scheme which utilizes a versatile group of four linebackers who can (or should be able to) rush the passer, stop the run and drop in coverage, allowing the defensive coordinator to disguise pressure and bait the quarterback.
For Graham though, a former first-round pick dogged by injuries - he underwent microfracture knee surgery his rookie year - and questions about the players selected near him in the 2010 draft - Seattle's Earl Thomas and New York's Jason Pierre-Paul - he may never again get the opportunity to hit the market with as much freedom or as much value as he has now.
It's hard to fault him for wanting to see what's out there.
