Let’s rewind the clock two years. Derek Barnett is a promising rising junior for the Tennessee Volunteers; Doug Pederson, the consolation price behind Ben McAdoo, represents a futile attempt to bring back the Reid years; Brandon Graham averages less than 5 sacks per season.
You guys remember that time, right? Back when Earl Thomas was the one that got away, the mythical cure-all for a defense that had been struggling for years. For many fans, Graham was a disappointment and inconsistent—but he was misunderstood.
The sack numbers lied, failing to reflect Graham’s ability.