Brandon Graham predicts he will run a 4.5 second 40-yard dash - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 02-19-2010, 06:05 PM

A quickie chat with Brandon Graham

Maybe the Dolphins draft Rolando McClain because everyone loves the guy and everyone says he's going to be a star. Maybe they take Eric Berry (if he's there) because they need a playmaking free safety. Maybe they reach for a nose tackle or a wide receiver.

I still love Michigan's Brandon Graham.

Have I made that point to you guys enough this week? Even as the adoption papers are being drawn up, I wanted to share with you yet more reasons I think this star DE-OLB from Michigan is the real deal and should be considered at No. 12 overall -- contrary opinions from Mel Kiper and Todd McShay and all the other draft pundits notwithstanding.

I direct you to this interview Graham did with Scout.com during Senior Bowl week -- before he went off and won the game MVP award with five tackles and two sacks.

In the interview Graham says a couple of things that caught my attention:

He expects to run in the 4.5s at the Indianapolis Combine next week. And he loves the idea of playing 3-4 outside linebacker.

"Oh yeah, I feel real good," Graham says about dropping in coverage. "I've been working on my hips, working on my drops every day in practice for Michigan ... With a little coaching from the NFL guys, I believe I can get it done."

Graham has no shortage of confidence. And he couples that with something of a chip that dares naysayers to disbelieve he can do whatever he sets out to do. That's why he says he wants to run in the 4.5s at the Combine.

"I'm excited because I like it when people doubt me," he says. "That's just a challenge and I like challenges and I'm going to try to fulfill it. And if I don't, then I gave it my all and that's all I can say."

One thing Graham has shown in all his games and all the practices at the Senior Bowl was a seemingly infinite desire. He wants to be good. He wants to improve. He wants to get to the quarterback. He wants to be an NFL star.

"[I'm] just trying to show that my motor's always going," he says, "I love football and I want to make plays and sack the quarterback."

You combine want-to and talent and you know what you have?

A very good NFL player.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 02-20-2010, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowener

If somehow it could be proven to you that he was the next DeMarcus Ware, would anybody have trouble drafting him at #5?

If he was the next DeMarcus Ware, you take him at #1.

**AustinChief** · 02-20-2010, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

If he was the next DeMarcus Ware, you take him at #1.

'
Agreed, but even I don't think THAT highly of him. If he slpis out of the top 20 I would SERIOUSLY look into trading up for him.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 02-20-2010, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

'
Agreed, but even I don't think THAT highly of him. If he slpis out of the top 20 I would SERIOUSLY look into trading up for him.

Yeah, but the question posed was if you knew he was the next Ware, what do you do.

**BossChief** · 02-20-2010, 07:21 PM

FTR I dont really care too much about front seven players 40 time (with the exception of ILBs that are required to cover backs and tight ends). If he is running the 40 in a real game they just gave up a TD and it doesnt really matter. I want guys that have great agility, strength and are smart in real games, save the 40 for the guys in the secondary where the drill is something that directly relates.

**AustinChief** · 02-20-2010, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Yeah, but the question posed was if you knew he was the next Ware, what do you do.

Oh I know, I was just pointing out that even I(his biggest fanboy) don't think he is in that class... but agreed if somehow you KNEW that.. he goes #1 in a hearbeat.

chiefzilla1501 · 02-20-2010, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

You think there is a correlation between 40 speed and how a OLB/DE tweener will do in the NFL?

Cushing ran a 4.79, Matthews a 4.67 and Everette Brown a 4.73 last year. Suggs ran a disappointing 40 from what I recall as well. Ware ran a 4.65 at the combine.

It's not a perfect predictor, but a 3-4 OLB is responsible for covering a lot of ground in the outside run game and they have to have the fluid hips to do well in coverage assignments, particularly in guarding the flats. So yes, it's a very, very nice luxury to have a guy who can absolutely fly.

Especially in a Crennel 3-4, where your DE isn't asked to make plays and depends on your LB to be the main guardian of the outside shit, speed is a really nice thing to have. Your other examples are different. In Baltimore and especially Dallas, D-linemen are allowed to do more to assist the OLB.

Saccopoo · 02-20-2010, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

'
Agreed, but even I don't think THAT highly of him. If he slpis out of the top 20 I would SERIOUSLY look into trading up for him.

Even with Kindle and Hughes still on the board? Or a guy like Ricky Sapp?

I don't think that the Chiefs can afford to give up picks to move up and I'd be interested in your views about the scenario of Graham still available at, say, 20, but Kindle and Hughes and Sapp are still on the board.

I watched Hughes a lot the past several seasons, being we get a lot of TCU games here (conference), and I don't know if Graham offers you anything above and beyond what Hughes does. Pretty comparable players, but I admit not watching many Michigan games the past couple of seasons.

Kindle looks like the more complete player for a 3-4 OLB in terms of being able to play either side effectively than either Hughes or Graham.

I just don't think that in that scenario that a trade up would be prudent, but I would love to hear your take on it.

milkman · 02-20-2010, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

I don't think that the Chiefs can afford to give up picks to move up

This is one thing we can agree on wholeheartedly.

fact is, it wouldn't bother me any to see the Chiefs use that high second rounder trade down to later in the second an get another pick.

This draft is deep, and there are a lot of guys going later in the draft that could help this team.

Sfeihc · 02-21-2010, 09:14 AM

**** it! Take him at 5, Pioli! Book it!

**BossChief** · 02-21-2010, 03:00 PM

I can say unequivocally that I would much rather draft Graham at 5 than ANY OL in this class there.

**AustinChief** · 02-21-2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Even with Kindle and Hughes still on the board? Or a guy like Ricky Sapp?

I don't think that the Chiefs can afford to give up picks to move up and I'd be interested in your views about the scenario of Graham still available at, say, 20, but Kindle and Hughes and Sapp are still on the board.

I watched Hughes a lot the past several seasons, being we get a lot of TCU games here (conference), and I don't know if Graham offers you anything above and beyond what Hughes does. Pretty comparable players, but I admit not watching many Michigan games the past couple of seasons.

Kindle looks like the more complete player for a 3-4 OLB in terms of being able to play either side effectively than either Hughes or Graham.

I just don't think that in that scenario that a trade up would be prudent, but I would love to hear your take on it.

Hughes and Graham are completely different types of OLBs, you are right in that Kindle could play both sides. I would be hard pressed to take Graham over Kindle... but right now (precombine) I would take Graham over Hughes in a heartbeat. Graham is a LB that played DE in college. Hughes is a RB that played DE in college... vastly different learning curve when they arrive in the NFL.

Sapp? Not a huge fan, but I haven't studied him as much as the other three so no comment there.

It's pretty academic because a) he isn't likely to slip past 20 and B) even if he did, I don't see us trading a pick to move up unless Pioli sees as much value in him as I do.

**AustinChief** · 02-21-2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

This is one thing we can agree on wholeheartedly.

fact is, it wouldn't bother me any to see the Chiefs use that high second rounder trade down to later in the second an get another pick.

This draft is deep, and there are a lot of guys going later in the draft that could help this team.

I simply don't trust the Chiefs enough yet to say more picks is better... I would rather get "safe" bets like Berry and Graham then 4 reaches or projects.

This goes against my general principles when it comes to the draft... but as I said ... until I trust the Chiefs to draft well, more picks = more scrubs to cut in training camp. Although it can also be argued that if they are COMPLETELY clueless than more picks means they are likely to get a few keepers just by random chance....

Lemme mull this over some more...

milkman · 02-21-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

I simply don't trust the Chiefs enough yet to say more picks is better... I would rather get "safe" bets like Berry and Graham then 4 reaches or projects.

This goes against my general principles when it comes to the draft... but as I said ... until I trust the Chiefs to draft well, more picks = more scrubs to cut in training camp. Although it can also be argued that if they are COMPLETELY clueless than more picks means they are likely to get a few keepers just by random chance....

Lemme mull this over some more...

I think, in watching him play last preseason, they hit on a keeper just by random chance in Colin Brown.

They screwed up by drafting him, thinking he was a RT prospect, but he appears to be a solid guard prospect.

Of course, they had to wait till TC to figure out he didn't have the tools to play RT before moving him.

RustShack · 02-21-2010, 06:25 PM

And all the flack I took last year for saying he was an OG instead of a RT.. even by you at the time.

milkman · 02-21-2010, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

And all the flack I took last year for saying he was an OG instead of a RT.. even by you at the time.

Me?

What the hell are you talking about?

I was pissed about the selection.

02-19-2010, 06:05 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3037187	Brandon Graham predicts he will run a 4.5 second 40-yard dash A quickie chat with Brandon Graham Maybe the Dolphins draft Rolando McClain because everyone loves the guy and everyone says he's going to be a star. Maybe they take Eric Berry (if he's there) because they need a playmaking free safety. Maybe they reach for a nose tackle or a wide receiver. I still love Michigan's Brandon Graham. Have I made that point to you guys enough this week? Even as the adoption papers are being drawn up, I wanted to share with you yet more reasons I think this star DE-OLB from Michigan is the real deal and should be considered at No. 12 overall -- contrary opinions from Mel Kiper and Todd McShay and all the other draft pundits notwithstanding. I direct you to this interview Graham did with Scout.com during Senior Bowl week -- before he went off and won the game MVP award with five tackles and two sacks. In the interview Graham says a couple of things that caught my attention: He expects to run in the 4.5s at the Indianapolis Combine next week. And he loves the idea of playing 3-4 outside linebacker. "Oh yeah, I feel real good," Graham says about dropping in coverage. "I've been working on my hips, working on my drops every day in practice for Michigan ... With a little coaching from the NFL guys, I believe I can get it done." Graham has no shortage of confidence. And he couples that with something of a chip that dares naysayers to disbelieve he can do whatever he sets out to do. That's why he says he wants to run in the 4.5s at the Combine. "I'm excited because I like it when people doubt me," he says. "That's just a challenge and I like challenges and I'm going to try to fulfill it. And if I don't, then I gave it my all and that's all I can say." One thing Graham has shown in all his games and all the practices at the Senior Bowl was a seemingly infinite desire. He wants to be good. He wants to improve. He wants to get to the quarterback. He wants to be an NFL star. "[I'm] just trying to show that my motor's always going," he says, "I love football and I want to make plays and sack the quarterback." You combine want-to and talent and you know what you have? A very good NFL player.
Posts: 43,455

02-20-2010, 07:21 PM	#19
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $-1775912	FTR I dont really care too much about front seven players 40 time (with the exception of ILBs that are required to cover backs and tight ends). If he is running the 40 in a real game they just gave up a TD and it doesnt really matter. I want guys that have great agility, strength and are smart in real games, save the 40 for the guys in the secondary where the drill is something that directly relates. __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,906

02-21-2010, 09:14 AM	#24
Sfeihc It's All Good Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $10010133	**** it! Take him at 5, Pioli! Book it!
Posts: 3,441

02-21-2010, 03:00 PM	#25
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $-1775912	I can say unequivocally that I would much rather draft Graham at 5 than ANY OL in this class there. __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,906

02-21-2010, 06:25 PM	#29
RustShack **** That Noise Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jack Trice Casino cash: $3036954	And all the flack I took last year for saying he was an OG instead of a RT.. even by you at the time. __________________
Posts: 15,126