Corey Graham is happy to be back with the Bears. But returning to the team wasn’t a slam dunk for the special teams standout, who was close to signing elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent.
“There was doubt,” Graham said. “I talked to a few teams and weighed my options. What it really came down to was the [Bears] coaches contacted me and I felt wanted. And being so late in training camp, it came to the point I knew I couldn’t practice until Aug. 4.
“Trying to learn a new playbook and actually getting an opportunity to play, I figured it was slim with the lockout with everything going on so last minute. So this ended up being the best situation for me and coming to a place that I was wanted.”
Last season Graham led the Bears with 25 special-teams tackles (after coaches reviewed tape) and led the NFL with 22 stops according to statistics compiled during games in the press box.
Since joining the Bears in 2007 as a fifth-round draft pick from New Hampshire, Graham has compiled 82 special teams tackles in four seasons, the second most by a Bears player since the statistic was first recorded in 1995, trailing only Adrian Peterson’s 110 stops.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap.
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
I'm glad he's back as well. Along with AA and Olin Kruetz I considered Graham one of the most important guys we needed to keep. Until we put together an offense that begins to hit on all cylinders our ST will be a huge part of our game as far as field position is concerned. It shouldn't be missed that the Packers huge advantage in field position was a major factor in their win in the NFCC game.
When we cut AP Corey Graham became the heir apparent as the tackle leader for ST and he didn't disappoint. The delay in the beginning of FA and the signing of the new CBA played out in our favor as far as keeping him was concerned. When you combine this with the acquisitions of Podlesh and Hurd we did a nice job of assuring that our punt team will still be among the best in the NFL. I'm really glad we won the battle for his services.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap.
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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