This week, as Eagles weakside linebacker Nigel Bradham has been preparing to face Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham, Bradham has been thinking back to previous battles against elite tight ends.
Two guys stuck out.
“The biggest guy I've played as far as size-wise, was definitely (Rob) Gronkowski,” Bradham said. “Being in that division (AFC East) for so long, I feel like that helped me. But also, I mean, you've got guys like Travis Kelce and a couple other guys that has that size and receiver ability. But [Graham is] kind of in his own category.”
Before joining the Eagles on a two-year deal this offseason, Bradham spent the first four years of his career with the Buffalo Bills, which meant facing New England and Gronk twice per year. He also faced Kansas City three times since Kelce was drafted in 2013.
Bradham, who figures to be lined up against Graham plenty during Sunday’s game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, said his past experiences will help him, but Graham is a unique player from other great tight ends.
“To me, he knows how to use his body and put his body in the right position, kind of like basketball. He can do it,” Bradham said. “He's one of those type of guys and he was obviously a big-time rebounder when he played basketball, so he has the ability to go up. And the last guy that was something similar like that, but still different, was Antonio Gates. But he's still different because he's slimmer than Antonio and his mobility is probably better. He's just one of those type of guys who you just have to be on your A-game against.”
So how will Bradham go about trying to stop Graham?
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“Me personally, I think just being physical,” he said. “Being able to be physical, no tight end or receiver likes playing that game. It just plays in my favor. Just have to use that as my advantage.”
This season, Graham has had a resurgent year. Through nine games, Graham has 42 catches for 593 yards and three touchdowns. Only Carolina’s Greg Olsen (712) has more receiving yards among tight ends this season.
What makes Graham’s 2016 season even more impressive is that he’s doing it after a disappointing 2015, that ended with a ruptured patellar tendon. His quarterback, Russell Wilson, has been openly campaigning for Graham to win comeback player of the year.
"I’m excited because a lot of people didn’t believe that I’d come back," Graham said earlier this month, via ESPN. "A lot of people just didn’t believe that I’d be able to be me again.”
He’s him again.
And the Eagles are tasked with trying to stop Graham on Sunday. As they try, it’ll be a group effort, according to Bradham. At times, he’ll cover Graham; at other times, it’ll be either a safety or a corner.
“[Graham is] a great athlete,” Malcolm Jenkins said. “He's big, he's fast, he catches the ball well anywhere. His catch radius is probably his No. 1 weapon. Wherever you put it around him, he can go get it, obviously with a basketball background. He knows how to use his size and his body well to box you out and go up and get the ball.
“He knows how to find open spaces in the defense. I think that's probably one of his best attributes as well. He might not run a precise route or create separation with a route, but if you're in zone or man, he's going to find some open space and all the quarterback has to do is put the ball around him. When he's healthy, he's at the top of this league when it comes to tight ends.”