Thread: Graham Looking Forward to Starting on Defense..............

Graham can expand portfolio to defense

Special teams ace likely nickel back with Moore sidelined

Corey Graham intercepts a pass against the Lions during third-quarter action. (KIRTHMON F. DOZIER, McClatchy-Tribune / November 13, 2011)

By Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune reporter 8:56 p.m. CST, November 18, 2011


The first person to call Corey Graham when the NFL's lockout ended in July was his former position coach, Steve Wilks, now the secondary coach for the Chargers.

Graham was a free agent and was interested in exploring his value on the open market, especially if he could find a team willing to present a special teams ace with an opportunity to compete for playing time on defense. On Sunday, Graham's expected to be playing defense at least half the time as the nickel cornerback because D.J. Moore's doubtful with a sprained ankle.

Wilks — and the rest of the NFL – will have a chance to see where Graham is a week after he intercepted the Lions' Matthew Stafford in the end zone during the fourth quarter when he saw brief duty following Moore's ejection.

It's a big chance for Graham, who has been used almost exclusively on special teams since starting nine games in 2008, because he will be a free agent again after this season. He came back to the Bears for a variety of reasons but the main one was it was going to be difficult to challenge for a starting job on defense elsewhere with no offseason program.

"It's always fun to get an opportunity to play on defense," he said. "Obviously, I am playing for a contract next year. If I get a chance to play on defense, it's a plus. Just have to make the most out of my opportunities."

He has done that on special teams. Graham was a Pro Bowl alternate last season and special teams coordinator Dave Toub believes he's every bit as good as the team's former ace, Brendon Ayanbadejo, who went to consecutive Pro Bowls for the team. The difference is Ayanbadejo was turning 32 when he departed the Bears in free agency after the 2007 season. Graham is 26.

"He's at the point now where he has gotten recognition," Toub said. "People know who he is. Now, his play just has to back it up, which it is. He's doing great. He's the best gunner that I have seen in all the tape I've watched. He's the total package."

Graham is second on the Bears with 12 special teams tackles, one behind Brian Iwuh. He had a team-high 25 tackles last season but numbers are down this season as kicker Robbie Gould has 30 touchbacks, tied for fourth in the NFL.

Right now, Graham ranks fourth in fan voting for the Pro Bowl, causing him to wonder what happened to the Chicago machine.

"They always talk about Chicago is one of the biggest markets but we can't tell. They ain't voting for me," he said. "I have to give them something to vote for. If I go out and make a lot of plays, more people will vote."

Beyond recognition, he seeks the kind of security that comes with a long-term contract. He doesn't know if the Bears will see the upside in his youth. Yes, he wants to be somewhere that he has a better shot at playing defense more. But a solid offer from the Bears would get his attention.

"It's something my family and I would discuss," he said. "I am excited about being here. Obviously, I want to play on defense but, you know, if it's the right situation, you gotta do what you gotta do."

bmbiggs@tribune.com

Twitter @BradBiggs

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