If Super Bowl LII taught one valuable lesson, it’s this: To beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, you absolutely must have an effective pass rush in the fourth quarter.
That’s why it was so important for Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham to get back to practice this week. It was Graham who made the critical play in the Super Bowl, the fourth quarter strip s
With the addition of former Seahawks defensive end/tackle Michael Bennett added in the off-season and Graham healthy, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz will have enough bodies to mix and match in the defensive line rotation, keep fresh legs on the field late in the game to get after the quarterback.
Penn Charter grad Matt Ryan and the Falcons arrive in 17 days for the opener. The Birds will need to get after him like they did in the playoffs last season.
Graham’s return from off-season ankle surgery will be a big help on Sept. 6. Got to get him game-ready in a short period of time.
Said Schwartz: “Things that have never been said in the NFL: ‘I have too many pass rushers. I have too many good corners.’ Those are things that defensive coordinators, defenses in general, value. You need to be built for the long haul.”
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