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After posting 5.5 sacks last season, one off the team leading total posted by Fletcher Cox, it is evident not only that defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is confident in Graham's ability to pressure the quarterback, but that he is simultaneously hopeful that sack totals for Graham and the rest of the defensive line will rise in 2017.
"We did a lot of studies in the offseason," Schwartz said Tuesday. "We did studies of different teams and things like that. Sacks go Wholesale Jerseys hand in hand with so many other things. I mentioned corners. They also go hand in hand with score. I don't think there is any surprise that a lot of games we were sacking the quarterback, Pittsburgh, and Minnesota and things like that, we were playing with the lead. That means an awful lot, too. So we were really, I was really impressed with the season that Brandon had last year.
"Again, the sack numbers were five and a half, is that what it was, five and a half? That's not going to create a whole lot of headlines. But he was a better pass rusher than five and a half sacks. With him, I think it was wholesale jerseys more circumstance with him. He didn't miss very many opportunities. He have great pressure and the ball would be gone a little bit quicker. If we do a better job with our coverage, I think we can see some improved numbers from Brandon, also."
Jernigan was absent from Tuesday's practice due to the birth of a child, but he was one of the standouts during last week's session. The former Baltimore Raven acquired via trade just prior to April's NFL Draft provided consistent a gap pressure on quarterback Carson Wentz, and should give the pass rush an added boost this season replacing Bennie Logan who was more of a run stuffing specialist.
"Playing against him with the Ravens last year," Eagles offensive guard Brandon Brooks told NJ Advance Media of Jernigan. "The one thing about him is he's big, but he can play small. He has Athletic Jerseys Wholesale - NFL that wiggle, he's a phenomenal pass rusher. He can get skinny, he can get his body through the holes, he has that hip turn. I think he's going to do a lot of good things for us. He's a hell of a player."
After missing the first week of OTAs, Fletcher Cox returned Tuesday for the second practice that was open to the media. Cox proceeded to jump offsides on the first full team snap of practice, falling victim to quarterback Carson Wentz's hard count.
Cox led the Eagles in sacks last season with 6.5, and playing alongside a pass rushing defensive tackle in Tim Jernigan should be an added benefit for the two time Pro Bowler both in his own efforts to get after the quarterback, as well as stopping the run.